What rifle does the military use for drill?
Jun 4th 2025
The U.S. military primarily uses the M1 Garand or the 1903 Springfield rifle for ceremonial drill and honor guard duties. While the active military uses more modern weapons for combat, the M1 Garand and the 1903 is specifically used for drill performances, color guards, and ceremonial functions due to its historical significance and distinctive appearance.
The Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon, one of the most famous military drill teams, uses the M1 Garand with fixed bayonets for their precision drill performances. Other ceremonial units like the Army's Old Guard (3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment) and honor guards across military branches also use the M1 Garand for similar purposes.
The M1 Garand was the standard service rifle for U.S. forces during World War II and the Korean War before being replaced by more modern weapons for combat use, but it has remained in service for ceremonial purposes because of its historical importance and impressive appearance during drill routines.
The M1903 Springfield rifle is another historically significant rifle used for ceremonial drill in the U.S. military. While the M1 Garand is common in many drill units, the M1903 Springfield holds a special place in military drill and ceremonial functions as well.
The M1903 Springfield is a bolt-action rifle that served as the standard U.S. infantry rifle from 1903 until it was largely replaced by the M1 Garand during World War II. It features a distinctive wooden stock, 24-inch barrel, and can be equipped with a bayonet, making it visually impressive for ceremonial purposes.
The U.S. Army's ceremonial units, particularly the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), use the M1903 Springfield for various ceremonial functions including:
- Sentinel duty at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery
- State funerals and military honor ceremonies
- Presidential inaugurations and other high-profile events
- Ceremonial rifle drill competitions
The Springfield's bolt-action mechanism creates a visually striking and audible synchronization when performed by drill teams. The distinctive "click" of the bolt actions being operated in unison adds to the precision and impact of ceremonial drill routines.
The rifle's historical significance and classic military appearance make it ideal for ceremonial purposes, as it represents an important era in American military history. Though it's no longer used in combat, the M1903 Springfield remains an important symbol in military tradition and ceremonial drill performances.
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