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Established in 1801, Marine Barracks Washington, is the "Oldest Post of the Corps" and has been the residence of every commandant of the Marine Corps since 1806. The selection of the site for the Barracks was a matter of personal interest to President Thomas Jefferson, who rode through Washington with Lt. Col. William Ward Burrows, the second commandant of the Marine Corps, in search of a suitable location. The site now occupied was approved due to its proximity to the Washington Navy Yard and because it was within easy marching distance of the Capitol.

Marine Barracks, 8th and I

Washington, D.C.

Tag: rifle inspector

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Cameron Holmes, the primary rifle inspector with the U.S. Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon, poses with the ceremonial “silver buttons” after the Friday Evening Parade at Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., June 27, 2025. Once gold, the buttons have been polished repeatedly, turning silver over generations. These buttons are passed down through each rifle inspector, symbolizing discipline and unbroken legacy of the billet. Holmes is one of a select few to wear the silver brass, carrying the weight of tradition and the responsibility to uphold the Corps’ highest standards in every performance. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Brianna Davidson) - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Cameron Holmes, the primary rifle inspector with the U.S. Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon, poses with the ceremonial “silver buttons” after the Friday Evening Parade at Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., June 27, 2025. Once gold, the buttons have been polished repeatedly, turning silver over generations. These buttons are passed down through each rifle inspector, symbolizing discipline and unbroken legacy of the billet. Holmes is one of a select few to wear the silver brass, carrying the weight of tradition and the responsibility to uphold the Corps’ highest standards in every performance. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Brianna Davidson)

The Weight of Silver: Marine Rifle Inspectors Carry More Than Tradition

WASHINGTON – The silver buttons worn by the rifle inspector of the Marine Barracks Washington Silent Drill Platoon are more than a uniform detail; they’re a symbol of tradition, discipline, and the Marines who have carried the role before. Originally gold, the brass buttons turned silver after decades of polishing. Today, they’re preserved in a glass case and passed from one rifle inspector to the next, each Marine adding their name to the legacy. For Cpl. Cameron Holmes, a rifle inspector from Stuart, Florida, earning the right to wear the “silver brass” represents both pride and responsibility. “There’s immense pressure to be as perfect as possible,” Holmes said. “You learn to turn that pressure and adrenaline into excitement.” Joining the Silent Drill Platoon demands exceptional skill, discipline, and mental fortitude. Rifle inspectors, in particular, must uphold the highest standards, ensuring every Marine on the parade deck performs with flawless precision. The silver buttons, worn by generations of rifle inspectors, stand as a visible reminder of the history and standards that define the Corps’ “Oldest Post.”

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