August 29, 2002

U.S. ARMY DRILL TEAM TO PERFORM AT BOISE STATE-IDAHO GAME

The U.S. Army Drill Team, one of the 3rd Infantry’s renowned specialty units, will thrill fans at half-time during the Boise State University vs. University of Idaho football game Saturday, Aug. 31. The game begins at 6:05 p.m. in Bronco Stadium.

The drill team has been performing daring and breathtaking routines for more than 25 years with bayonet-tipped 1903 Springfield rifles. Team members are chosen for the elite team after six months of rigorous and competitive practice. Once chosen, team members practice rigorously for the intricate, high-risk maneuvers.

Maneuvers include the "front-to-rear overhead rifle toss," where four members toss their spinning, 10-pound rifles 15 feet into the air from the front rank to the back. Four soldiers in the back rank catch the rifles one-handed; in most cases the revolution of the rifle ends as the bayonet arcs just past each soldier’s right ear.

In another specialty drill, the drillmaster stands at the center of the formation, surrounded by four soldiers who toss their bayonet-tipped weapons above and around his head.

Marching cadence is 90 steps per minute, considerably faster than normal march tempo, and all routines are performed without cadence or music, requiring intense concentration and skill.

For more information on the drill team, contact Capt. Darryl Madery, Boise State University ROTC, at 426-4174.

Capt. Darryl Madery
Boise State Army ROTC
426-4174

Kathleen Craven
Boise State communications and marketing
426-3275