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US Navy Drill Team Participates in Joint Service Drill Competition

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100412-01
4/12/2010

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sarah Foster, Defense Media Activity Anacostia

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- In front of a crowd stretching from the historic Lincoln Memorial to the reflecting pool, the U.S. Navy Drill Team, based at the Anacostia Annex, participated in the 5th annual Joint Service Drill Competition April 11 in the nation's capitol.

From a field of service members including teams from the Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Army and Air Force drill teams, Navy drill team members captured second-place honors, finishing behind the Army's team.

Sailors won the event in the competition's inaugural year, as well as in 2009, and according to Drill Team Leading Chief Petty Officer Hospital Corpsman Senior Chief (SW) Dana Wallace, criteria for the event proves intense.

"They're judged on precision, agility, crowd participation, and drops are a huge deduction," she said. "I think the odds of us bringing home the trophy again are very good. We do things the other branches don't do; we have the speed, very interesting maneuvers."

Wallace is the first female Commander of Troops in the history of the Navy Drill Team, something of which she is particularly proud.

"It is amazing. We have had female drill members, but to be the first female Commander of Troops - it's an honor," she said. "It feels good to be the first of something, especially in the Navy."

The competition began at 2 p.m., with the Navy randomly selected to begin the contest. With the picturesque backdrop of the Washington Memorial and not a cloud in the sky, it looked as if the Sailors in their spotless white uniforms, perfectly polished brass, and quickly spinning rifles, had the upper hand.

Followed by the Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Army and Air Force, the entire competition lasted an hour, cheered on by a crowd that spanned from the base of the reflecting pool to the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

The majority of the Navy's drill team is fresh from Recruit Training Command (RTC) Great Lakes, lured to the command by videos of the drill squad's flashy performances, flinging 11 pound rifles with ten inch bayonets high into the air.

"There are about 190 people in the ceremonial guard right now, and of that I would say there are 18 people on the drill team - a little less than ten percent," says Lt. Christopher Murphy, Drill Team Division Officer. "It's definitely the flashy part that goes out and performs, vice the more serious, different missions."

Despite the lengthy preparation Navy Drill Team members employed, the second place finish serves to provide impetus for future competitions, according to Seaman Jason Bencel, Navy Drill Team White Rope.

"They can have it this year," said Seaman Bencel. "We'll get it back next time."