The United States Marine Drum & Bugle Corps is a 1934 Music Group from drum and bugle corps of the United States Marine Corps. The D&B is now the only active duty drum and bugle corps in the United States Armed Forces. One of many United States military bands, the United States Marine Drum & Bugle Corps usually consists of about 70 active-duty Marines dressed in ceremonial red and white uniforms. The D&B performs martial and popular music.

The United States Marine Drum & Bugle Corps has been directly designated as "The Commandant's Own" due to the historical connection with the Commandant of the Marine Corps. The D&B is entirely separate from its sister organization, the United States Marine Band ("The President's Own"), as well as the ten active-duty United States Marine Corps field bands. The United States Marine Drum & Bugle Corps travels more than annually, performing over 400 events worldwide.

During the summer months, the D&B performs in conjunction with "The President's Own" in the traditional Friday Evening Parades at Marine Barracks Washington, and in the Tuesday Sunset Parades at the Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima Monument) in Arlington, Virginia. These parades are not street parades, but military parades consisting of ceremonial pomp that are symbolic of Marine professionalism, discipline, and esprit de corps.

Major Nathan D. Morris, of Marietta, Georgia is the seventh and current Commanding Officer of "The Commandant's Own" United States Drum & Bugle Corps, serving in this position since February 2022. Captain Courtney R. Lawrence, of Houston, Texas is the Executive Officer and Director. Master Gunnery Sergeant Joshua Dannemiller, of Doylestown, Ohio is the Drum Major. Master Sergeant David Cox, of Richmond, Virginia is the Assistant Drum Major.

History of the Commanding and Executive Officers

  • Chris G. Stergiou (1949 - 1969)
  • Gary L. Losey (1957 - 1973)
  • Truman W. Crawford (1973 - 1998)
  • Melvin B. Estes (1984 - 1989)
  • David C. Wolfe (1988 - 1994)
  • Brent A. Harrison (1995 - 2009)
  • Brian J. Dix (1999 - 2015)
  • Christopher E. Hall (2010 - 2017)
  • James D. Foley (2015 - 2021)
  • Nate Morris (2018 - Present)
  • Courtney Lawrence (Executive Officer) (2019 - Present)
  • Patrick Montgomery (Operations Officer) (2023 - Present)

History of the Drum Majors

  • Chris G. Stergiou (1934 - 1960)
  • William O. Nickoff (1953 - 1957)
  • Eugene S. Belschner (1957 - 1967)
  • Gary L. Losey (1961 - 1969)
  • Dennis E. Carroll (1969 - 1972)
  • Rolland L. Henderson (1972 - 1975)
  • Eric F. Bay (1975 - 1978)
  • Michael J. Patri (1978 - 1983)
  • Gary A. Petersen (1983 - 1989)
  • James L. Marcil (1984 - 1989)
  • Michael H. Gardner (1988 - 1997)
  • James P. O'Keefe Jr. (1995 - 2000)
  • Mark S. Miller (2000 - 2009)
  • Kevin D. Buckles (2002 - 2019)
  • Keith G. Martinez (2010 - 2022)
  • Joshua D. Dannemiller (2018 - Present)
  • David J. Cox (Assistant Drum Major) (2021 - Present)

Training

Like the United States Marine Band, prior to enlisting each potential member of the Drum and Bugle Corps, all must pass a competitive audition. Unlike members of the President's Own, Drum and Bugle Corps members do undergo Marine Corps Recruit Training and Marine Combat Training, where they are trained in basic infantry tactics.

Following Recruit Training and Marine Combat Training, Drum and Bugle Corps members proceed directly to Marine Barracks Washington for duty with "The Commandant's Own". They do not attend any additional Military Occupational Specialty training.

Uniforms and instruments

The Marines of the United States Marine Drum & Bugle Corps wear red and white uniforms with white gauntlets which cover the wrists and bear and play brass instruments, marching drums, and various front ensemble instruments.

thumb|right|350px|Master Sergeant Kevin D. Buckles, former [[Drum major (military)|Drum Major of the United States Marine Drum & Bugle Corps "The Commandant's Own" holding a ceremonial mace.]]

The brass instruments played by "The Commandant's Own" are bugles pitched in G. There are 4 sections within the hornline: Soprano Bugle, Mellophone Bugle, Baritone Bugle, and Contrabass Bugle. In January 2021 the unit transitioned from the two-valved models utilized by the Drum Corps for decades, to three-valved versions, allowing the brass section to play the complete chromatic scale. Formerly the D&B, as well as various unit bugle corps, also had fifers up til the 1940s.

See also

  • United States military bands

References

  • Images from the Defense Video and Imagery Distribution System
  • Exhibition Performance at the 2016 Drum Corps International Championships