Washington -- You asked, and we answered. Here are responses to questions about the Marine Band uniform, given by resident expert Drum Major Master Gunnery Sgt. Duane King.
Q: If you join “The President’s Own” after being in a fleet band, do you get to keep the crossed rifles on your rank insignia?
A: As the Drum Major for "The President's Own," I was required to make a lateral move from the fleet to the 5511 MOS. Because of this "lat-move", I now get to wear the musical lyre instead of the crossed rifles. However, our Assistant Drum Major still wears the crossed rifles, because the Marine in that position remains a member of the fleet bands (5524 MOS) while serving with the Marine Band on a three-year rotation.
Q: Why does the strap on the busby not go below the chin? If it doesn’t do anything, why have it?
A: The original practice of wearing the strap (called a "curb chain") was to protect the soldiers' chin during battle. We continue this tradition today, but have the flexibility to slide the curb chain just below the chin in the event of heavy winds during a performance.
Q: Who wears the Busby better? You or the Coldstream Guards?
A: I think as U.S. Marines we do everything better, however there is a little difference between the way we wear the bearskin and the Coldstream Guards. We wear ours a little bit lower on our head. They wear theirs a little bit higher so they can see better.
Q: Is the busby hot?
A: The bearskin itself is not necessarily hot, however the leather band inside of it does keep the sweat in.
Q: Is there anything you do to stop yourself from overheating in the uniforms?
A: The best way to not overheat in uniform is just to stay hydrated.
Q: What does everything on the sash mean?
A: There are a number of significant items on the sash: my personal awards, the name and crest of the unit, the drumsticks signifying that the Drum Major was the senior drummer in the unit, and then battles and campaigns that the unit has been involved in. As the premiere musical unit in the Marine Corps, the list of major battles and campaigns are collective for the entire Marine Corps.
Q: How long does it take you to put on the uniform?
A: In total it takes about 15 minutes to prepare the uniform and put it on: 10 minutes to iron everything and polish the shoes, and another 5 minutes to put it all together.
Q: After you win the audition, how long until the musicians are issued the uniforms?
A: Once a new member arrives to the band it takes about a month to get uniforms issued and tailored.
Q: Do all Marine Band members wear gauntlets? Or is it just the Drum Major?
A: Only the Drum Major wears gauntlets. They are used to protect the hands from the chain on the mace. Musicians wear white cotton gloves.
Q: Why don’t Drum Majors wear shakos?
A: We have worn different versions of a busby throughout the Marine Band’s history, but eventually settled on the current headpiece, which is exactly the same as the British officer's bearskin, minus the colored feather that the Household Division Guards wear as unit identifiers. I like to joke with patrons that the reason we wear it is similar to why the British wear it: since the British took the bearskin caps (and leopard skin aprons) when they defeated the French at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, it only makes sense that we would take the bearskin from the British after we won our War for Independence!
Other Questions:
Q: How did you get the position?
A: After joining the Marine Corps as a trumpeter, I learned how to Drum Major from other senior Marines, attended the Armed Forces School of Music Drum Major's course in 2002, and was selected for another lateral move to the BMOS of 5521 (Drum Major). In 2009 I then auditioned to become the Assistant Drum Major, USMB and again auditioned in 2013 to become the Drum Major.
Q: What’s the hardest part of being the Drum Major?
A: The pressure of wanting to be perfect during every performance. While none of us will ever be perfect, we can always strive for that goal, but it takes a lot of mental energy to do that every single day.
Q: Why did you choose this path, not infantry or other jobs?
A: As a musician growing up, I knew that I wanted to play music for a living, but wasn't sure the best path for me. I had many family members who served in the military and thought that this might be a good option. After joining the Marine Corps in 1994, I considered changing my MOS to a combat arms MOS, but couldn't come to terms with not playing music every day.