MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- The Silent Drill Platoon and the Commandant's Own Drum and Bugle Corps graced the depot with a performance Saturday for this year's annual Battle Color ceremony. A mass of Marines, sailors, civilians and recruits gathered at Shepherd Memorial Drill Field and Pavilion for one of the year's most anticipated performances at the depot. The master of ceremonies introduced the Drum and Bugle Corps, which marched from the flag and made its way onto the parade deck while spectators sat in wait. Playing songs old and new, the band marched in formation and executed precise movements without missing a beat. "My favorite was the band's rendition of 'Rock This Town' by Brian Setzer," said David M. Hoffman, a spectator at the ceremony. As the band made its way to the left side of the drill field, the Silent Drill Platoon found its way into the center. The crowd welcomed them with applause and screams. "I'm fascinated by (the Silent Drill Platoon's) attention to detail," said Hoffman. "The uniformity was amazing." Throughout the entire routine, the platoon executed every move without spoken commands. The Marines began their routine in a simple formation while spinning, tossing and grabbing rifles. The team then separated into more complicated formations. The clacking of rifle butts pounding the blacktop, heels stomping in unison, and hands slapping wood and iron sounded over a quiet audience, which broke into cheers at moments. After that display, the Marines gathered online for an inspection. The platoon sergeant walked the line of Marines, inspecting them until stopping at one Marine, who inspected his own rifle under the platoon sergeant's watchful eye. With the flip of his wrist, the Marine tossed his rifle into the sergeant's hands. Moving on, the sergeant found another Marine, and soon the three men were tossing rifles to each other. The platoon concluded its performance and the Color Sergeant of the Marine Corps escorted the national ensign and Marine Corps flag center stage while the Commandant's Own played the Colors medley. After the ceremony concluded, Brig. Gen. John M. Paxton Jr., commanding general, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and the Western Recruiting Region, took time to thank all the performers. Singling out and congratulating the Silent Drill Platoon, Brig. Gen. Paxton said, "You Marines represent the 170,000 who weren't here."Battle Color DetachmentThe Marines featured in the Battle Color ceremony - "The Commandant's Own," the U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps; the Silent Drill Platoon; and the Marine Corps Color Guard, led by the Color Sergeant of the Marine Corps - are all assigned to the "Oldest Post of the Corps," Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. They appear in hundreds of ceremonies annually in Washington, D.C., across the country and abroad.The MusicThe U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, known as "The Commandant's Own," combines contemporary songs and traditional marching music with uniquely choreographed drill movements in a program entitled "Music in Motion."The PlatoonThe Silent Drill Platoon performs a precision drill unlike any other. With fixed bayonets atop their highly polished M-1 rifles, these Marines entertain audiences with their intricate drill routine performed without verbal commands. The Silent Drill Platoon's rifle inspector highlights the performance with an unrivaled inspection of his Marines. The ColorsThe Official Colors are the Battle Colors of the Marine Corps. The 50 streamers and silver bands displayed on the Battle Color commemorate the military campaigns in which Marines have participated. They span the entire history of our nation, from the American Revolution to the present. The SergeantThe Color Sergeant is responsible for carrying the National Colors, and is considered the senior sergeant in the Marine Corps. He is selected for this important position from among many other outstanding sergeants throughout the Marine Corps. Source: Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., Public Affairs Office