Check out this video of the US Marine Corps' Silent Drill platoon. Not a word is spoken by them during the whole evolution. The video is a little dark, but it is a professional video:
Here's another video. This is not professional, but it's a bit closer view, shot during a Denver Nuggets basketball game:
ONE chi KAH go
Two chi KAH go
THREE chi KAH go…
The Marine Barracks in Washington DC hold the evening parade every Friday evening during the summer months. In addition to the silent drill, there is a concert by the Marine band, impressive marching, and the rifle drill team where the rifles are twirled and tossed. Kids love it as well. You can make reservations online. It is very impressive. I’ve attended several times and it never fails to give me goosebumps and bring tears to my eyes as I hear Taps played to end the ceremony. Reservations are recommended and can be made online. It is actually a good idea to start making the reservations now for this summer.
If you have never seen the Marine Corps Silent Drill Team in person you should go out of your way to do so. The Marine Band as well. They will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.
I bet they can count really well. Does this make them better soldiers or just better performers?
Any soldier, Marine, airman, or sailor will tell you that a fighting unit fights best when it acts as one, in unison, anticipating what others will do. The less external manipulation for the sake of coordination, the better.
For example, in the chaos of war, getting all members of a military unit to maneuver and then concentrate fire precisely and in such a way as not to alert the enemy to your intentions is the heart of the art of war.
Military precision show units—whether it’s the Silent Drill team, the Blue Angels, or the Thunderbirds—are an outgrowth of that doctrine. They are not merely performers.
As an aside, we once had a priest who was a former Marine. The care and precision with which he carried out the rituals at the altar were truly awe-inspiring. His handling of the chalice veil reminded me of a Marine folding the flag. His movements were so reverent we could not help but be aware of the True Presence of Our Lord.
we once had a priest who was a former Marine
Catholic Mom—there is no such thing as a “former Marine.” Once a Marine, always a Marine.
By the way, our current pastor in Alexandria, Virginia was a lieutenant colonel in the Marine Corps and is a decorated Vietnam War veteran—probably the same priest as yours. Even if you didn’t know his history, you could certainly guess from his booming voice and no-nonsense military bearing.