Marines


Combat Center News
Twentynine Palms Logo
Twentynine Palms, California
Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command and Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center
Photo Information

The U.S. Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon, Battle Colors Detachment, Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., executes a pass and review in front of Maj. General William F. Mullen III, commanding general, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., during the Battle Colors Ceremony at Felix Field, March 14, 2018. The ceremony is held to honor Marine Corps traditions through the Drum Corps, the Silent Drill Platoon and the Battle Colors Detachment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Margaret Gale)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Margaret Gale

Combat Center hosts Battle Color Ceremony

19 Mar 2018 | Lance Cpl. Margaret Gale Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms

A Battle Colors Ceremony was held at Felix Field aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., March 14, 2018. This year, the Battle Color Detachment performed a ceremony to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Belleau Wood.


The Battle Color Detachment is comprised of three sections, “The Commandant’s Own,” the Silent Drill Platoon and Battle Colors, which consist of four Marines presenting the national and Marine Corps colors. Every year, the detachment travels throughout the country to military installations, public events and high schools to perform the ceremony and represent the esprit de corps of the Marine Corps.

“The ceremony is our opportunity to interact with the public,” said Sgt. Guy Barnes, euphonium bugler, “Commandant’s Own,” Battle Colors Detachment, Marine Barracks Washington, D.C. 

Prior to traveling and performing on a two-week tour to military installations, the detachment spends the first three weeks of February every year at Marine Air Station Yuma, Ariz., training to hone their movements as individual sections. The Marines rehearse five to six times a week for up to twelve hours a day. The last week of training is used to bring all components together and to function as a detachment.

During the performance, the detachment conducts five portions. During the first portion of the ceremony, the U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps perform Music in Motion, which consists of a concert and drill execution. Immediately following, the U.S Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon executes precise drill movements, which leads into the traditional commemoration of the Marine Corps and national colors that hold the history of our country. As the ceremony comes to an end, the BCD presents honors to the reviewing official and conducts a pass and review. 


“I love being able to perform and spin rifles,” said Cpl. Christopher Ochoa, silent drill platoon, Marine Barracks Washington, D.C. “I love traveling with the detachment and getting to meet a lot of people, service members and non-service members alike, who enjoy watching us perform. Over all, it’s a great experience.”


More Media

Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms