The United States Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon is a 24-man rifle platoon that performs a unique precision drill exhibition. This highly disciplined platoon exemplifies the professionalism associated with the United States Marine Corps. The 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.
1. This information is provided in order to help potential sponsors of the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon request and plan for the platoon’s participation in public events. The information in DD Form 2536 (Request for Armed Forces Participation in Public Events) applies to all sponsors, military as well as civilian. Item 12 in the request is in compliance with current Department of Defense and higher headquarters directives.
2. The Silent Drill Platoon (SDP) - The SDP is a 39-Marine unit that performs a complex 13-minute drill sequence. The SDP touring season is from March — October each year. Periods on non-availability include November — February and times blocked for other missions and training. Specifics may be coordinated with the Platoon Commander. Some events may require a smaller performing unit or a shorter sequence.
3. Guidelines - In the case of a civilian organization acting as a sponsor, all of the following criteria must he met to qualify as a sponsor for a Silent Drill Platoon performance:
- The event must be patriotic in nature and not selectively benefit or appear to benefit the commercial activity of the sponsor.
- The sponsor’s role in the event is clearly civic in nature.
- The interest to the sponsor is secondary to the interest and benefit to the community.
- Fraternal organizations whose by-laws and membership rites are privately held (are not available to the general public) are normally not authorized to sponsor the units.
- Organizations with “exclusive membership” may not sponsor events unless the primary audience is the outside community rather than an organization.
- Religious organizations may not sponsor performances unless the event is of broad interest and benefit to the community, nonsectarian in nature, and is widely publicized as a community event.
- Events sponsored by a partisan political organization or ideological movements are not permitted.
4. Sponsor Requirements
A. General
1) Responsibility for Requirements The sponsor’s responsibility for supporting the Silent Drill Platoon is as follows:
- If the platoon travels by military air transportation: The sponsor will be responsible beginning with the arrival of the aircraft at the sponsor’s arrival airport and ending with the successful departure of the aircraft from the departure airport.
- If the platoon travels by commercial air transportation: The sponsor will be responsible beginning with the platoon’s arrival at the Washington, D.C. area airport (includes assistance with ticketing/boarding/cargo) and ending with the completion of the return flight to the designated airport (includes retrieval of cargo, etc.)
- If the platoon travels by commercial ground transportation: The sponsor will be responsible beginning with the pickup of the platoon at Marine Barracks, Washington and ending with return to this command.
- If the platoon travels by military ground transportation: The sponsor will be responsible beginning with the platoon’s arrival at the performance site or lodging, and ending with departure from designated site.
2) All transportation, lodging, meals, and other requirements between these times are the responsibility of the sponsor. If commercial or military transportation is unable, for any reason, to return the platoon to Washington, D.C. at the scheduled departure time, it is the sponsor’s responsibility to provide meals and lodging until the platoon has departed for Washington, D.C.
B. Transportation
1) Air - Air transportation can be provided by the Joint Operational Support Airlift Center at no cost to the sponsor. Air availability is dependent upon the operational, training or maintenance requirements of the support squadrons. On occasion, government air transportation may be canceled or rescheduled at the last minute for reasons outside of our control. If this occurs, the platoon will not be able to participate in your event. Military Air will be requested at the earliest possible date; however, the final flight information will not be available until 3-5 days prior to the flight.
- If military air transportation is not available, the sponsor will be required to fund commercial air travel. Commercial flights, while expensive, allow the sponsor to have greater control over flight scheduling. (Note: there may be an additional charge for the cargo on a commercial flight)
2) Ground - The U.S. Marine Corps cannot provide organic transportation assets for events further than 100 miles from this command. In this case, the sponsor must provide ground transportation from Washington, D.C. to the event site and back. Sponsors are expected to provide commercial charter ground transportation when air transportation is not economically feasible, or when the events are within a reasonable driving distance (no more than four hours one way).
- Local ground transportation is the responsibility of the sponsor, as the units must travel from the airport to lodging, performance sites, restaurants and other locations. The sponsor must provide all bus and cargo truck drivers. Access passes should be provided for entrance into secure areas. Marines will execute the loading and offloading of all equipment onto the vehicles. Vehicular requirements may vary, but normally consist of the following:
(1) 44-passenger bus— Coach style with cargo hold underneath
(1) 5-ton cargo truck (only needed if a coach style bus is not used)
C. Meals and Lodging
1) Meals - The sponsor provides all meals for Marines during their stay in your area. Adequate messing is considered to be three meals per day at normal morning, afternoon, and evening meal hours; two of which will be hot meals. Meals must remain flexible due to the unit’s transportation, rehearsal, and performance schedule. Sponsor responsibilities include meals that must be consumed en route due to time constraints.
2) Lodging - Mass billeting (i.e., squad bays, gymnasiums, armories etc.) is not considered adequate. Marines will not be billeted more than two to a room and proper consideration will be given to the military grade of personnel: Officers and Staff Noncommissioned Officers will not be billeted with junior enlisted Marines. To maintain control and accountability, we are unable to accept billeting in private homes. Unless agreed upon by the platoon, billeting should not be more than a one-hour or 30 mile drive from the performance site. Requirements may vary, but normally are:
(3) Single-occupancy rooms
(18) Double-occupancy rooms
D. Changing / Warm-Up Area
1) Changing area - It is extremely difficult for the platoon to arrive at the performance site in uniform and ready to go. In order to allow the platoon to properly prepare their uniforms, the designated changing area should fulfill the following requirements:
- Area should be large enough to accommodate 39 Marines.
- Area should be free of traffic and securable, to ensure security of gear and privacy while changing.
- Area should have at least five electrical outlets to allow Marines to iron uniforms.
- Area should have clothing racks or hooks available to permit the hanging of 27 uniforms.
- Restrooms should he available.
- Water should be available.
- A Silent Drill Platoon representative must remain with any gear for security purposes.
2) Warm-up location - A warm up is always required prior to the performance. This should be the actual performance site whenever possible, or should be equivalent in size and in close proximity to the site. Warm ups for the entire platoon can he done several hours in advance, but individual warm-ups must be done immediately prior to the show. There is much more flexibility on individual warm-up locations.
E. Performance Site
1) Surface - The performance site must be smooth surfaced, free of obstacles, and able to withstand the repeated striking of the metal rifle butt plate. The sponsor must understand that a finished surface will have scuffmarks or small scratches from the performance.
2) Dimensions —Space requirements are flexible, but are generally:
- 110 ft wide by 75 ft deep by 20 ft overhead. This is slightly larger than the dimensions of an NBA/NCAA basketball regulation court. A court of this size may be used provided the goals or sideline chairs, tables, etc. can be removed. Any outdoor sports field is usually acceptable. Spectators should beat least 10 ft away from this performance area.
3) Announcement - A public address system is required. A narration transcript will be provided to the sponsor’s narrator. A CD with recorded narration will also be available.
4) Expenses - Any expenses such as fees for the stadium, lighting, heating, publicity, custodial, or security, are the responsibility of the sponsor.
F. Publicity / Recruiting Interest
1) Publicity - Media promotion/publicity will always maximize the event and audience attendance. Every effort should be made to include SDP information in programs, flyers, and any other material that will enhance interest. Promotional materials and a press package, including unit information and public service announcements for both radio and television are available from the Marine Barracks Public Affairs Office. For public affairs information about the Silent Drill Platoon or Battle Color Detachment contact:
Public Affairs Office
Marine Barracks
8th & I St. SE
Washington, DC
20390-5000
(202) 433-4173 / 6679
2) Recruiting - One of the missions of the Silent Drill Platoon is to promote a positive public image of the Marine Corps and to assist in the effort of recruitment. It is the policy of the Silent Drill Platoon to give information on performance location, time, and sponsor contact data to Marine Corps Recruiting Command. Local Marine Corps Recruiters may contact the sponsor for admittance, tickets, press passes, etc. Sponsors are encouraged to coordinate with local recruiting agencies concerning the planned event.