NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jalen Jones, a rifleman with the U.S. Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon at Marine Barracks Washington, returns home to Tennessee as part of the Marines 250 Birthday Celebration. Jones performed at the Nashville Sounds Rock’n’Jock Celebrity Softball game as part of Marine Week Nashville, in Nashville, June 2, 2025, and was reunited with the Marines that recruited him in 2024.
The Silent Drill Platoon is a highly disciplined platoon that exemplifies the pride and professionalism associated with all Marines.
“My recruiter showed me a different side of the Marine Corps, he helped me then and he still mentors me to this day,” Jones said about his recruiter. “Every time I come home it's like a reunion. If I don’t find them, they find me.”
“It’s a special moment seeing the people that come through our office and ultimately the Marines that they transition into,” said Staff Sgt. Cameron Madden, staff non-commissioned officer in charge of Recruiting Sub-Station Clarksville, Recruiting Station Nashville. “It’s always great to catch up with a familiar face.”
During Marine Week Nashville, Marines with Marine Corps Recruiting Command interacted with local high schools and businesses and supported sporting events, ceremonies and performances from the Silent Drill Platoon and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band.
The Marine Corps is celebrating its 250th birthday with six multi-day Marine Corps community events, called Marine Weeks, in six major cities across the country. Marine Weeks will include activations across each host city featuring aircraft, equipment, recruiting opportunities, and public engagements.