page_title: Marine Corps Musician Enlistment Option Program
section_title: Leatherneck Pipes and Drums
hierarchical_section_title: Marine Corps Musician Enlistment Option Program / Other Marine bands / Leatherneck Pipes and Drums
caption_attribution_description: English: NEW YORK (May 30, 2010) The Leatherneck Pipes and Drums practice before a Sunset Parade on the flight deck of the multi purpose amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7). Approximately 3,000 Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen are participating in the 23rd Fleet Week New York, which is taking place through June 2. Fleet Week has been New York City's celebration of the sea services since 1984. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ash Severe/Released)
context_page_description: The Marine Corps Musician Enlistment Option Program is the central organized body overseeing the active-duty military bands of the United States Marine Corps. Marine Corps field bands can be found in the Southeast United States, Southern California, and the Pacific-Asia region. While serving with their bands, Marines perform throughout the continental United States and travel internationally to locations ranging from Beijing to Paris. These units take part in activities such as retirement ceremonies, the Marine Corps Birthday Ball, funerals, change of commands, and civil/military parades. It is one of two music programs in the Department of the Navy, with the other being Fleet Band Activities.
context_section_description: The Leatherneck Pipes and Drums is a private military pipe band that supports military ceremonies in the USMC. Being a private unit, it is composed of mostly former USMC personnel. It was formed in 1991 from Marine veterans who lived in parts of the Northeastern United States and was based on the original Marine pipe band based in Derry, Northern Ireland during the Second World War. The official tartan of the unit is the Leatherneck Tartan which is only used by the pipes and drums due to the fact that the USMC has never formally adopted a military tartan. During many of its ceremonies, the band performs special arrangements of the Star Spangled Banner and The Marines' Hymn. When at an official ceremony, all members of the unit wear a modified Blue Dress "A" uniform which is augmented with a Glengarry cap and a kilt that is patterned in the leatherneck tartan. Keeping in Highland/Scottish tradition, the drum major wears feather bonnet instead of a Glengarry.
caption: The Leatherneck Pipes and Drums rehearse prior to a Sunset Parade on the flight deck of the USS Iwo Jima.
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