Battle Color Detachment

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.

Who we are

The United States Marine Corps Battle Color Detachment celebrates the historic pride of the Marine Corps through the finest in music and ceremonial drill. From Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., this detachment features “The Commandant’s Own” United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, The United States Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon, and the Official Color Guard of the Marine Corps. Each year, this highly skilled unit of approximately 130 Marines travels worldwide to demonstrate the discipline, professionalism, and “Esprit de Corps” of the United States Marines.

"The Commandant's Own"

 

The United States Marine Drum & Bugle Corps is comprised of Marine Musicians who play a variety of bugle and percussion instruments. No other military ensemble exists in the Department of Defense quite like the U.S. Marine Drum & Bugle Corps. They perform a variety of music from marches to jazz, patriotic, popular, and classical favorites. Comprised of 80 Marine Musicians dressed in ceremonial red and white uniforms, “The Commandant’s Own” performs for millions of spectators each year and is recognized worldwide as a premier musical marching unit.

 

THE UNITED STATES Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon

 

The Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon is a 24-man rifle platoon that performs a unique, precision drill exhibition. 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. The Marines execute a series of calculated drill movements and precise handling of their hand-polished, 10-and-one-half pound, M1 Garand rifles with fixed bayonets.

 

Official United States Marine Corps Color Guard

 

The United States Marine Corps Color Guard is entrusted with our National Ensign alongside the official Battle Color of the Marine Corps at ceremonies across the National Capitol Region and the United States in order to render appropriate military honors and to display the Marine Corps’ illustrious warfighting history. The fifty-five colored streamers which adorn the Battle Color represent the illustrious history and accomplishments of the Marine Corps. Four Marines are hand selected to be “The Commandant’s Four” to travel with the BCD for performances across the world.

 

 
 

2023 Northwestern Tour

The Marine Corps’ Battle Color Detachment from Marine Barracks Washington will be performing in the Anchorage, Alaska; Seattle, Wash.; and Portland, Ore., area from March 3 -11, 2023. The Battle Color Detachment features “The Commandant’s Own” United States Marine Corps Drum and Bugle Corps, the United States Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon and the Official Color Guard of the Marine Corps.

Each year, this highly skilled unit of approximately 130 Marines travels worldwide to demonstrate the discipline, professionalism, and “Esprit de Corps” of the United States Marines. For the first time in the 75-year history of the Silent Drill Platoon, a female has taken command of the unit and will be featured for the entire parade season.

The Silent Drill Platoon’s visit to Seattle also marks the return of a Seattle, Wash., native, and first female Silent Drill Platoon Commander, Capt. Kelsey M. Hastings. Hastings, a graduate of from Chief Sealth International High School, attended the U.S. Naval Academy and was commissioned a Marine Corps Officer in May 2017. Upon graduation from the Marine Artillery Officer Basic Course at Fort Sill, Okla., Hastings reported to 1st Battalion, 12th Marines aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii where she served as a platoon commander, fire direction officer, and battery executive officer.

The Northwestern Tour is part of Marine Barracks Washington’s preparation for the upcoming summer parade season at Marine Barracks Washington D.C., the oldest post in the Marine Corps. The full detachment consisting of “The Commandant’s Own” Drum and Bugle Corps, the Silent Drill Platoon and the Marine Corps Color Guard performs for hundreds of thousands around the country in addition to the Friday Evening Parades at the barracks and the Tuesday Sunset Parades at the Marine Corps War Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial.


March 3 @ 10:30 am [AKST] - West Anchorage High School (Anchorage, AK)
March 3 @ 6:00 pm [AKST] - Recruiting Station Anchorage Family Day at the Alaska National Guard Armory (Anchorage, AK)
March 4 @ 9:30 am [AKST] - The Iditarod Race Opening Ceremony (Anchorage, AK)
March 5 @ 11:40 am [PST] - Oregon Ducks Baseball Game (Eugene, OR)
March 5 @ 3:15 pm [PST] – Recruiting Station Portland Family Day (Portland, OR)
March 6 – Recruiting Station Portland Family Day at North Salem High School (Portland, OR)
March 7 @ 11:00 am [PST] - Canby High School (Canby, OR)
March 8 @ 12:30 pm [PST] - Snohomish High School (Snohomish, WA)
March 9 @ 6:00 pm [PST] - Whitworth University (Spokane, WA)
March 10 @ 1:00 pm [PST] - Silas High School (Seattle, WA)
March 10 @ 4:50 pm [PST] - Washington Husky Baseball Game (Seattle, WA)
March 11 – Recruiting Station Seattle Family Day at Tahoma High School (Tacoma, WA)
March 11 @ 6:00 pm [PST] - Seattle Kraken (Seattle, WA)