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thedrifter
08-10-08, 05:38 AM
USMC Silent Drill in Jacksonville

By Justen Arnold
Saturday, August 09, 2008 at 8:02 p.m.


The U-S Marine Corps Silent Drill Team performed on the Illinois College's Athletic Fields.

The team is a 24 man rifle platoon that performs a unique precision drill exhibition.

This highly disciplined platoon is said to exemplify the professionalism associated with the Marine Corp.

Today they executed a series of calculated drill movements and precise handling of their hand polished, ten and half pound rifles with fixed bayonets.

Not one verbal command is spoken during this routine.

The platoon is a unit of individually, hand picked young marines selected from infantry schools throughout the country.

After two years of rigorous training, these highly talented Marines execute this performance in 13 minutes, captivating and stunning audiences.

"Why did you decide to hold this event?" Said Justen Arnold

" Western Illinois Leathernecks have only been charted for about 4 years and the support that we've gotten from Jacksonville community and the surrounding areas has just been phenomenal. Great job supporting our activities our fundraisers and everything and we saw this as an opportunity to say thanks," said James R. Carleton, the Adjutant for the Western Illinois Leathernecks Marine Corp League.

The routine concluded with this unique rifle inspection sequence.

It included elaborate rifle spins and tosses between the men and one of their commanding officers.

The Silent Drill team will perform again tomorrow at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield.

Carleton said they were surprised by the number of spectators.

They expected about 1200, but he said almost 3,000 showed up.

Ellie