United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps The United States Marine Drum & Bugle Corps is the drum and bugle corps of the United States Marine Corps . The D & B is now the only full - time active duty drum corps in the United States Armed Forces . As one of many United States military bands , the United States Marine Drum & Bugle Corps consists of 80 active - duty Marines dressed in ceremonial red and white uniforms . The D & B performs martial and popular music . The United States Marine Drum & Bugle Corps has been officially designated as " The Commandant ' s Own " because of its historical connection with the Commandant of the Marine Corps . The D & B is entirely separate from its sister military band , the United States Marine Band ( " The President ' s Own " ) as well as the 12 active - duty United States Marine Corps field bands . The United States Marine Drum & Bugle Corps travels more than annually , performing in excess of 400 events across the United States and around the world . During the summer months , the D & B performs in conjunction with " The President ' s Own " in the traditional Friday Evening Parades at the Marine Barracks Washington and in the Sunset Parades at the Marine Corps War Memorial ( Iwo Jima Monument ) in Arlington , Virginia , every Tuesday evening . The parades are not street parades , but military parades consisting of ceremonial pomp that are symbolic of Marine professionalism , discipline , and esprit de corps . Major Brian Dix is the fourth and current Director of " The Commandant ' s Own " The United States Drum & Bugle Corps serving in this position since 1998 . He also serves as the current commanding officer since 2010 . Master Gunnery Sergeant Kevin D . Buckles is the twenty - first and current Drum Major . Master Sergeant Keith G . Martinez is the current Assistant Drum Major . History . The history of the unit can be traced to the early days of the Marine Corps . In the 18th and 19th centuries , military musicians ( " field musics " ) provided a means of passing commands to Marines in battle . The sound of various drum beats and bugle calls that could be heard over the noise of the battlefield signaled Marines to attack the enemy or retreat . Through the 1930s , Marine Corps posts still authorized a number of buglers and drummers to play the traditional calls and to ring a ship ' s bell to signal the time . " The Commandant ' s Own " The United States Marine Drum & Bugle Corps was formed in 1934 at historic Marine Barracks Washington , to augment the United States Marine Band " The President ' s Own " . The unit provided musical support to ceremonies around the nation ' s capital and , during World War II , was additionally tasked with presidential support duties . For this additional role , they were awarded the scarlet and gold breast cord by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt , which remains on the uniform . When the war ended , the United States Drum and Bugle Corps resumed performing at various military and public ceremonies . In the early 1950s , the unit gained considerable acclaim performing for an increasing number of civilian audiences . Originally their instrumentation was similar to the other drum and bugle corps of the era . It has evolved along with civilian corps , although usually adapting trends after they have become established by civilian corps . Music composed specifically for their unique selection of instruments helped establish their reputation for excellence during this period . These factors also led to the unit ' s formal designation as " The Commandant ' s Own , " a title noting their special status as musicians for the Commandant of the Marine Corps . In 1968 , Truman Crawford , formerly of the United States Air Force Drum and Bugle Corps became musical arranger and instructor for The Commandant ' s Own . During his 30 - year career he had a large impact on the D & B comparable to that of John Phillip Sousa on the United States Marine Band . The new rehearsal facility of " The Commandant ' s Own " at Marine Barracks Washington , is named Truman Crawford Hall in his honor . Training . Like the United States Marine Band , prior to enlisting each potential member of the Drum and Bugle Corps , all must pass a competitive audition . Unlike members of the President ' s Own , Drum and Bugle Corps members do undergo Marine Corps Recruit Training , where they are trained in basic infantry tactics . Following Recruit Training and Marine Combat Training , Drum and Bugle Corps members proceed directly to " The Commandant ' s Own " and do not attend Military Occupational Specialty training . The United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps does not march in parades of state , but instead is held back in reserve by the Commandant of the Marine Corps who may order it anywhere since the band serves under the Commandant ' s immediate command . Uniforms and instruments . The field musicians of the United States Marine Drum & Bugle Corps wear white gauntlet s which cover the wrists and bear and play silver color brass instruments . The brass played by " The Commandant ' s Own " are bugle s pitched in G . Additionally , their bugles are two - valved models similar to those used by drum corps in the United States and Canada prior to 1990 . The D & B ' s current inventory of brass instrumentation was manufactured by the Kanstul Musical Instruments company in 2006 .