PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. — The U.S. Marine Corps Battle Color Detachment displayed their hallmarks of honor, discipline and tradition when they performed at the Peatross Parade Deck at Parris Island, March 12.
The detachment consists of the Silent Drill Platoon, the United States Marine Corps Drum & Bugle Corps and the Marine Corps Color Guard. The detachment performed across the country for their spring tour and Parris Island was one of their last stops before returning to Marine Barracks 8th and I, Washington, D.C., to begin their summer parade season.
“The purpose is for them to hone their skills across the country and parade them around to show off the Marine Corps,” said Staff Sgt. Joshua Miles, the detachment’s marketing and public relations representative, and the narrator for the detachment’s ceremony.
The detachment’s performance was open to depot Marines, the local community and the depot’s recruits.
“Seeing this in boot camp really helps instill us with a feeling of esprit de corps,” said Rct. Joseph Doyle, a 25-year-old from Raleigh, N.C., and guide for Platoon 1033, Charlie Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion.
Approximately 1,000 civilians and Parris Island personnel attended the performance, as well as nearly 1,600 recruits.
The performance was kicked off by the Drum & Bugle Corps, the only one of its kind in the U.S. military.
A performance by the Silent Drill Platoon followed. The 24-man platoon showcased their precision and accuracy by performing close-order drill and flipping their M1 Garand rifles with fixed bayonets through the air with no verbal commands.
“The Silent Drill Platoon exemplifies the best the Marine Corps has to offer,” said Maj. Christopher Hofstetter, staff officer for the base operations office. “It shows the recruits there is life after recruit training, and gives them the motivation to continue on.”
The recruits sat stoically watching the performance, but despite their lack of visible zeal, the recruits say they were influenced greatly by the show.
“Being able to see this is really unexpected, and it is surely one of the most memorable things I’ve experienced,” said Rct. Matthew Sellers, a 20-year-old from Cleveland and guide for Platoon 2033, Fox Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion. “It really motivates me to drill.”