NAVAL EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND DOCTRINE COMMAND

NAVAL OFFICERS SCHOOLS CENTER

Naval Station Leovigildo Gantioqui
San Antonio, Zambales

CREATION OF MARINE DRUM AND BUGLE COURSE (MDBC) AS ONE OF THE

PROGRAM OF INSTRUCTIONS (POI) OF THE MARINE CORPS FORCE
DEVELOPMENT CENTER (MCFDC), PHILIPPINE MARINE CORPS

A Concept Paper presented to the

Faculty of the Naval Officers Schools Center
In partial fulfillment of the requirements of the

NAVAL COMMAND AND STAFF COURSE CLASS 90

Presented by:

CPT JOJIT R OFIAZA PN(M)

CERTIFICATION

This is to certify that the enclosed paper is entirely my own except for some
excerpts, concepts and ideas that are properly acknowledged.

________________________
(Signature)

18 December 2020
 Creation of Marine Drum and Bugle Course (MDBC) as one of the Program of
Instructions (POI) of the Marine Corps Force Development Center (MCFDC),
Philippine Marine Corps

I. INTRODUCTION

The origin of drum and bugle can be traced to early 18 th century. Originally,
a Corps of Drums, also sometimes known as a Fife and Drum Corps, Fifes and
Drums or simply Drums, is a unit of several national armies equipped with fife and
drums, which were later replaced by drum and bugle. Drummers were originally
formed to act as signalers in European armies ("History of the Corps of Drums
Where did it all start?” 2008). On the other hand, the United States’ military
musicians, or "field musics," provided a means of passing commands to Marines in
battle formations. When the war ended, the Marine Drum and Bugle Corps resumed
performing at various military and public ceremonies ("The Commandant's Own" The
United States Marine Drum & Bugle Corps, n.d.). The US Marine Drum and Bugle
Corps, also known as the Commandant’s Own, became an inspiration for the
creation of several drum and bugle corps, the Philippine Marine Corps included.

The Philippine Marine Corps Drum and Bugle Team (MDBT), or otherwise
known as “AFP's Ambassadors of Goodwill”, is the drum and bugle corps as well as
the prime musical unit of the Philippine Marine Corps. The history of MDBT can be
traced to the early 1963 when the then Commandant of the Philippine Marines,
Commander Gregorio Lim, was inspired with the performance of the United States
Marine Drum and Bugle Corps during one of their visits in Manila. Impressed by the
performance of US Marine Corps, this event initiated the organization of the MDBT.
Due to big demand for representation of PMC in terms of musical support, a group of
weapons personnel with musical experience were assembled to establish the core of
the MDBT. Due to the band having 17 personnel and being battalion size, the band
adopted the word “team” rather than “corps”, therefore officially embodying the name
Philippine Marine Corps Drum and Bugle Team with the formal designation as
“AFP's Ambassadors of Goodwill". The MDBT emulated the mission of The
Commandant's Own which is “to provide music and ceremony for the Commandant
of the Marine Corps and the Commanding Officer”, embodying the goal of
representing the PMC by bringing marching music performing arts during goodwill
visits and national events.
 There are some accounts claiming that it is between 1961-1962 when the
organization of the Marine Drum and Bugle Team may have started. The Philippine
Marines was only a battalion composed of four Rifle Companies, namely:
Headquarters & Service Company, 1st Marine Company, 2nd Marine Company and
3rd Marine Company, then located at Marine Station Port Area, Manila. The Marine
Battalion was under the command of the Late Commodore Gregorio S. Lim, who
was then a Navy Commander. Thus, the Drum and Bugle Team’s musical ability was
tested on their first out-of-camp musical engagement on 18 March 1962, at Sta. Inez,
Bulakan (Bulacan) and Candaba, Pampanga. From that date onwards, MDBT
started to establish its own legacy as the prime musical unit of the Philippine
Marines, garnering distinctions for its impressive musical performances at important
national events. The training of the group was placed under the expertise of the Late
Musician Chief Avelino Mejico Philippine Navy who became their first
conductor/arranger. The Marines relied with the musical expertise and training
methods of the Late MUC Mejico due to the absence of a formal drum and bugle
course for the group. In entire history of the MDBT, there were only two (2) Enlisted
Marines who underwent musical training: Retired TSgt Alejandro Perdon Jr PN(M) –
Basic Bandsman Course, Philippine Army and Late TSgt Mario Nachor PN(M) –
Musician’s Specialization Course, Philippine Navy. On the other hand, former Drum
Major and CO, Retired CPT Carlos G Villanueva PN(M) finished the correspondence
course offered by the USMC School of Music (70’s).

The MDBT is hitherto dependent on the training provided by their current

conductor who has musical background. This existing practice limits the
development and hinders the adaptation of new methods and techniques. The lack
of formal instruction and the dependency of MDBT to the training methods of the
current conductor affect not only the performance, but the individual progress of the
members as well. Moreover, this marching band of the PMC requires the interested
applicants to undergo Recruit Training and Marine Combat Training. Prior to
enlisting, each must pass an audition for service in the MDBT. Successful passers of
the audition will automatically be a member of MDBT and will be subjected to
training. Currently there are ____ members of MDBT, most of which are subjected
for retirement in five (5) years. The number of interested applicants is slowly
declining, which leads to the current members’ deferred retirements. The process of
recruitment of interested applicants contributes to the diminishing number of MDBT
members. Civilian applicants with musical backgrounds are no longer interested to
apply due to the Policy of Combat duty in the operational area before they become
members of MDBT. In addition to that, the members do not have adequate training
to improve their musical proficiency. The lack of formal instruction limits the ability
and hinders the development of the MDBT.

Due to the aforementioned problems, the only viable solution is the creation of
a Program of Instruction designed specifically for the MDBT. Marine Drum and Bugle
course will provide a standard learning process for military personnel and civilian
applicants who intend to acquire knowledge about basic musical theory and improve
proficiency in playing the different bugle and percussion instruments. The MDBC will
provide formal instruction for the marine and/or civilian applicants, with or without
musical background, under a curriculum designed specifically for drum and bugle.

Based on the information acquired from different sources such as personal

interviews of the present and former senior enlisted leaders of the MDBT, World
Wide Web, local and foreign sites, and Marine coffee table books, it is with utmost
need that the MDBT must upgrade and invest in formal instruction designed for their
musical unit, in addition to their existing training.

The main objective is for the Marine Corps Force Development Center to
create a musical training course under the category of drum and bugle corps set-up.
This paper will delve into the aforementioned problems and address the need to
create MDBC as one of the POIs administered by MCFDC. This will be a long-term
investment for the MDBT, which will benefit not only the members, but also PMC, the
AFP in general and other patrons.

II. BODY

Environmental analysis

This concept paper will determine various environmental factors and their
potential impact, which can affect the organization's performance. This analysis will
identify the three (3) potential impacts of MDBC to MDBT and PMC.
 A. Potential Impacts of the MDBC

MBDC will encourage military personnel and civilian applicants, with or

without musical background, to join. The number of interested applicants will
escalate if the recruitment of members will not be limited to those with musical
background only. Furthermore, if MCFDC will offer a course that will formally teach
and train the aforementioned applicants, the recruitment will be more flexible, thus,
making it encouraging. This is one of the means to address the recurrent concern of
the MDBT’s depletion of manpower resources brought by natural attrition. However,
this will not offer assurance that the recurrent depletion will be solved. Nonetheless,
a standard learning process and an encouraging environment can help meet this
challenge.

MDBC will provide a learning opportunity to improve musical

proficiency. Training alone will not suffice to improve proficiency in handling
instruments for the performance. Moreover, the absence of instructor with adequate
training and sufficient musical expertise has significant effect on the overall state of
the MDBT. Due to that, MDBC will be placed in the hands of qualified instructors who
fit the standard meant for formal musical training, which is vital in achieving the
holistic improvement of the MBDT. It will establish their musical foundation as the
proposed program will offer basic musical theory. A formal program will give an in-
depth instruction to the members how to handle brass instruments, marching
percussion and a Marching Xylophone. This course will not only help the trainees
learn different military band instruments but will also teach new techniques and help
enhance the performance skills.

MDBC will offer improvement of each section of the team. The team is
divided into four sections namely: Drumline, Front Ensemble, Color Guard, and
Brass. The Drumline is comprised of percussionists who play marching drums, and
the Front Ensemble play stationary percussion and melodic instruments. Then the
Color Guard uses equipment, such as flags, mock rifles etc., and lastly, the Brass
section plays Brass Instruments. These sections will be subjected to standard
instruction alongside rigorous training under this proposed course to further improve
their unity and the overall quality of the performance. Furthermore, modern
techniques and methods will be introduced to further elevate the traditional musical
support the MDBT provides.

Risk Analysis

RISKS PROBABILITY SEVERITY IMPACT

Non-approval of the course Probable Marginal Medium

Limited number of interested applicants Probable Marginal Medium

Failure in the construction of curriculum, Probable Marginal Medium

instruction, and assessment

The risks identified will have a medium impact in the creation of the Marine
Drum and Bugle Course. It is necessary to acquire the approval of the official
approving bodies; therefore the required documents must be well-written in order to
convince the board. As a means to mitigate the risk of having limited interested
applicants for MDBT, the MDBC must be flexible and encouraging by not restricting
the opportunity to those with musical background and to the members of the prime
musical unit only. The MDBC will provide equal learning opportunity to everyone who
intends to upgrade their talent. The failure in construction of curriculum, instruction,
and assessment tools is probable since there is a limited drum and bugle course
program available in our country. This risk can be moderated by adapting the
program and practices laid down from other uniformed bands, civilian bandmasters
in the drum and bugle corps circle, as well as foreign D&B corps.
Cost Benefit Analysis

Costs: The cost of creating MDBC will be approximately PHP. 25,000.

Inclusive of expenses from the development of the program to the issuance of
approval, up to the implementation.

Benefits:

Cost-efficient

Long-term investment

Provides standard learning process for MDBT

The creation of MDBC will not require an immense amount of financial

resources. It will be cost-efficient since less resources will be used for greater output.
This will be a long-term investment for the MDBT and will benefit the PMC as well as
the AFP, since the command has not invested to the advancement of their skills,
unlike other military occupational specialty such as communication personnel, field
artillery, tank and amphibious assault vehicle operators, and the likes. The cost of
creation of MDBC will eventually break even with the cost of the existing training of
the MDBT and will offer more benefits to the members.

Problem Analysis

As the prime musical unit of the Philippine Marine Corps performing for
hundreds of spectators across the country and abroad, MDBT has the responsibility
to deliver a quality band performance. In this regard, it requires musical proficiency,
sophisticated drill formations, and various marching techniques. However, these will
be difficult to attain due to the dependency on the only recurrent training for MDBT.

The foremost concern of the MDBT is the lack of formal instruction and
standard training from experts of that field. It is aforementioned that only a limited
number of marines who underwent a formal musical training, therefore, the expertise
is limited. They rely solely on the recurrent training which will not suffice as strong
foundation is important in mastering their craft. Establishing a standard learning
process for the MDBT will be a significant investment in the long run.

Another concern of the MDBT is the number of interested aspirants continues

to decrease, hence the depletion of manpower resources and deferment of some
current members’ retirement. This concern is brought by natural attrition, which, if no
necessary action will be taken, will eventually lead to the total depletion of members.
The creation of MDBC will help encourage applicants because will provide musical
foundation to those who intend to join the unit, and it will no longer be limited to
those with musical background only.

Concept Formulation

This concept paper aims to illustrate the formulation of the Marine Drum and
Bugle Course. As aforesaid, MDBC will provide a formal learning process for the
potential members of MDBT to enhance their musical proficiency through a formal
instruction under the expertise of qualified instructors. To accomplish this, the
creation of MDBC will undergo a process required before applying for approval as
one of the Program of Instructions.

The foremost stage is the formulation of goal statement, course objectives,

core competencies, and course description of the proposed POI, which must be in
line with the vision, mission and philosophy of PMC. These can be adapted from the
present programs of other uniformed bands. Next stage will be the construction of
the course outline which will provide a brief summary of the topics to be covered in
specific POI. This includes the creation of modules, submodules and its respective
contents, methodology, technology, assessment tools and number of hours per class
period. These will be subjected for recommendation and approval before furnishing
the documents required by the MC8 Education.

Concept Implementation

The author will furnish the necessary documents for approval of the proposed
POI. The following documents must be submitted to the MC8 Education and
Training: a.) Course Objective Testing, b.) Program of Instruction (POI), c.) Program
of Expenditure (POE), d.) Network Schedule, e.) Job Scalar, and f.) Hand Guard
Manual. These documents will be subjected for further perusal and will be pending
for approval. After the approval by MC8, a furnished copy must be submitted to the
Training Doctrine Education Office (TDEO) of Marine Corps Force Development
Center (MCFDC). A board and evaluation will be conducted by PMC EDUCATION
TRAINING BOARD of MC8, alongside with the TDEO of MCFDC for final approval of
the course.

III. SUMMARY

The Philippine Marine Drum and Bugle Team (DMBT) is the prime musical
unit of PMC that performs for various goodwill visits and national events. However,
the team lacks proper education to master their craft. This paper discusses the need
of formal instruction of band members of the MDBT through a program which
specializes in music, composed specifically of selected band instruments. Adding the
aforementioned as one of their Program of Instructions (POI) at Marine Corps Force
Development Center will not only further enhance the quality of musical support the
MDBT provides but will also encourage military personnel and civilian applicants,
with little to no musical background at all, to join. As the prime musical unit of the
Philippine Marine Corps performing for hundreds of spectators across the country
and abroad, the proposed program will address the need of a formal instruction for
band members, in addition to the existing training for service in the MDBT.

IV. CONCLUSION

It is of the utmost need that Marine Drum and Bugle Course should be
created as one of the Program of Instructions (POI) of the Marine Corps Force
Development Center (MCFDC) to provide a formal instruction to the interested
aspirants and current members of the MDBT.

Training alone will not suffice because it skips the vital part of building the
members’ musical foundation—the mastery of the basics and proficiency in handling
the instruments. Therefore, in addition to the existing training, the creation of the
MDBC will greatly benefit the MDBT and will enhance the musical proficiency of its
members. This will be an avenue to upgrade their skills and develop new methods
and techniques to improve the team’s performance. The approval of MDBC will bring
significant change to the MDBT.

The existing practices of the MDBT are most likely inefficient, ineffective and
outdated; therefore a modification is necessary. Its dependency on the expertise of
military personnel with musical background to lead and train MDBT must be
improved by hiring a qualified instructor/s that is/are more suitable for the job. This
will also mean that the team will be ensured of proficient musicians, which will
reduce the concern of the unit’s manpower depletion.

Its process of recruitment must be modified as well by allowing aspirants, with

or without musical background, undergo the MDBC because the audition limits the
chance of their passing, and hinders their opportunity to learn and eventually join the
MDBT.

Once implemented, this course will raise their performance and quality of
musical rendition at maximum level to the advantage of the PMC, the AFP in general
and other patrons.

V. RECOMMENDATION

Based on the foregoing discussions, it is highly recommended that the

MCFDC should create MDBC as one of the POIs. Furthermore, the PMC and AFP
should fully support the proposed program in order to improve the existing practices
of MDBT, provide formal instruction to its members, and address its concern
regarding the depletion in their manpower.

Timeline

Phases of Implementation

Phase 1

(required documents will be submitted to

MC8 Education and Training)
 Phase 2

(required documents will be subjected for

the approval of MC8 Education and
Training)

Phase 3

(board and evaluation will be conducted;

subjected for final approval)

This proposed program will take approximately one year to implement due to
arduous preparation for course outline, modules, and instructors, in addition to the
previously stated documents required by the official approving bodies. Each phase
abovementioned will take at least three months (approximately 12 weeks) to
accomplish.

VI. ANNEXES

VII. BIBLIOGRAPHY

"History of the Corps of Drums Where did it all start?". The Corps of Drums Society.
Archived from the original on 17 May 2008. Retrieved 11 June 2008.

Wikipedia contributors. (2020, February 22). Philippine Marine Corps Drum and
Bugle Team. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved December 18, 2020,
from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?
title=Philippine_Marine_Corps_Drum_and_Bugle_Team&oldid=942031061

United States Marine Corps (2020, December 17). “The Commandant’s Own” The
United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps. Retrieved from
https://www.drumcorps.marines.mil/About/

VIII. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
 I would like to acknowledge the following units, offices and officers who provided
support, guidance, backgrounds, inputs, ideas, references and substantial
arguments that were considered for the creation of this paper: