- 1stSgt. Christopher Borghese

2012 ORIGINAL INDUCTEE OF THE MILITARY DRILL HALL OF FAME

The United States Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon
The U.S. Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon is a 24-man rifle platoon who execute a series of calculated drill movements and precise handling of their hand-polished 10.5 pounds (4.8 kg) M1 Garand rifles with fixed bayonets. The routine concludes with a unique rifle inspection involving elaborate rifle spins and tosses. All drill movements are done with superfluous spins of the rifle, making the Silent Drill Platoon's drill unique from other Marine units' drill movements.

U.S. Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon first performed in the Sunset Parades of 1948 and received such an overwhelming response that it soon became a regular part of the parades at Marine Barracks Washington, D.C. The Marine Corps Sunset Parade at the Iwo Jima Memorial is one of Washington’s many wonderful free events during the summer and well worth doing. It’s a great opportunity to see a world-class military ceremony and to show support for all men and women in uniform. The Marine Corps Sunset Parade has been a summer tradition since 1956. Its backdrop is a photo cast in 100 tons of bronze, based on the famous photo Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima on Mount Suribachi. No finer backdrop in the world of military drill can be found for the Silent Drill Platoon!

Marines are selected from students at the two Schools of Infantry, located at Camp Pendleton, California, and Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, from interviews conducted by barracks personnel. The Marines assigned to Marine Barracks serve a two-year ceremonial tour. The Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., "8th & I." is the oldest active post in the Marine Corps. It is located on the corners of 8th & I streets in southeast Washington, D.C. Once the year's Silent Drill Platoon Marines have been selected each fall, they begin their rigorous training at Marine Barracks Washington and later move to Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., in order to perfect the routine before beginning a tour of the Corps' continental installations. Throughout the year, they perform in front of hundreds of thousands of spectators at Marine Barracks Washington and at numerous events across the country and abroad.

The Barracks supports both ceremonial and security missions, and is also the home of the Commandant of the Marine Corps. Throughout the year, they perform in front of hundreds of thousands of spectators at Marine Barracks Washington and at numerous events both across the country and abroad. And, in the end, after all the cheering crowds and travels are behind them, the Marines of the Silent Drill Platoon are a tight unit of eternal brothers. The Silent Drill Platoon remains the perfect example of the Marine Corps ambassador. American good will and American strength. They show the dedication and commitment it takes to be a Marine and the precision that all Marines put into their profession. It is a HUGE honor to have this exceptional group in the military Drill Hall of Fame.