Photo By Cpl. Christopher Prelle | U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Alex Liddell, narrator for "The Commandant's Own" United States...... read more read more
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If you have attended a Battle Color Detachment performance anywhere in the world, you’ve likely heard the inspiring voice of U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Alex Liddell, the ceremonial narrator of Marine Barracks Washington.
Originally from Rockford, Ill., Liddell enlisted into the Marine Corps as a tuba player within “The Commandant’s Own” United States Marine Drum & Bugle Corps.
“I'm 32 years old, and I've been a musician since before I turned four. Performing has been at the core of my being for nearly 30 years,” Liddell said, reflecting on what led him to where he is today.
Liddell’s journey from the concert stage to the parade deck has given him a unique perspective on Marine Corps tradition. Whether delivering a powerful introduction for the Evening and Sunset Parades or guiding audiences through the history of the Battle Color Detachment, he sees narration as more than just words on a microphone; it’s about connecting people to the legacy of the Corps.
“I have been put in situations where I'm interacting and speaking with people who are well senior to me, on the enlisted, officer, and on the civilian side with elected officials, secretaries, and other government figures,” Liddell said.
Earning the title of the ceremonial narrator of Marine Barracks Washington is a distinguished honor earned through grit, determination, and perseverance. Liddell was aware of this and put himself in the best position possible to succeed.
“There were 33 Marines selected to go to the actual audition process. We submitted recordings of tracks selected out of the Evening Parade sequence, and after those were reviewed by the Barracks Drill Master, Barracks commanding officer, sergeant major, and a handful of other personnel,” said Liddell, recalling the selection process. “They selected the final 12, the final round was 12 Marines, so all of us got feedback and we're told to record our sequences again and apply the feedback. I did as instructed and a couple weeks later, I was selected for the job.”
Liddell has had the privilege of narrating 760 ceremonies and counting, an experience that has opened the door to countless unique opportunities along the way. Each event has allowed him to use his voice to share in the proud traditions of the Marine Corps while connecting with audiences in attendance.
“I’ve lost count of how many unique experiences I've gotten to narrate. I have gotten the opportunity to announce for the Silent Drill Platoon at the opening ceremony of the 51st Iditarod in Anchorage, as well as many general officers promotions, awards, and retirements,” said Liddell, recalling his unique Marine Corps experiences.
“I've done a small handful of memorial services, which it's hard to say that something like that is my favorite thing to do, but it's a very meaningful thing to do. If I never had to do that again, I would be happy, but also when requested, I'm happy to do it because I take it seriously and I know that I am going to give them my best.”
As the ceremonial narrator, your voice resonates with hundreds of people at each ceremony, honoring Marine Corps traditions while offering a moment of reflection and connection. In those moments, you have the unique ability to inspire pride and briefly ease the weight of life’s challenges for those listening.
“I treat it as a performance, and I see a successful performance as coming away having made someone's life better, even if it's just for a couple minutes,” Liddell said, reflecting on past ceremonies. “I've had several times where someone has told me their life is rough right now, or they’re having a really bad day or something like that. When I started the ceremony, when I started speaking, they were no longer thinking about that. I was taking their attention off of those types of things. That's the kind of thing that's very rewarding to me.”
The billet carries significant weight, as every word reflects the honor and traditions of the Marine Corps and Marine Barracks Washington. Liddell takes pride in ensuring each ceremony leaves a lasting impression on its audience.
“The Commandant and his team have also impressed upon me the value of not only what I do as the narrator, but what we do as Marine Barracks Washington. The Drill Masters coordinating the ceremonies, the deck crew working behind the scenes, the musical elements, the marching elements, everything that happens at the Barracks,” said Liddell.
“I’m a very public-facing part of it, so I tend to get a lot of recognition, but the Commandant and other senior leaders have reminded me that the value is really in what we do together as Marine Barracks Washington.”
Marine Barracks Washington is home to the only active Drum and Bugle Corps within the U.S. Armed Forces, “The Commandant’s Own” U.S. Marine Drum & Bugle Corps. This was a determining factor in Liddell's enlistment into the Marine Corps.
“The Marine Corps is home to the only drum and bugle corps within the entire military, and I wanted to be a part of a professional drum and bugle corps,” Liddell said, reflecting on his decision to enlist.”
“I am very proud of being a Marine. That is irrevocably part of my identity. You know, I think that’s something I wouldn’t have anticipated 10 years ago. I didn’t think I would be well suited for the military, and I didn’t think it would be a good fit for me. I was very wrong, and I’m very glad that I was.”
Marine Barracks Washington is home to some of the most unique billets and platoons in the Marine Corps. As the ceremonial narrator, Liddell plays a key role in bringing these traditions to life, using his voice to connect audiences to the legacy of the Corps. His work highlights the impact that one Marine can have in representing the history, pride, and discipline of the “Oldest Post of the Corps.”
| Date Taken: | 09.11.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 09.11.2025 13:36 |
| Story ID: | 547814 |
| Location: | WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, US |
| Hometown: | ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS, US |
| Web Views: | 20 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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