Corps of Drums - U.S.A.

U.S.A.

Valley Forge Military Academy and College has a corps of drums that is part of the regimental band. Uniforms and music are modelled on the Royal Marines Corps of Drums. VFMAC does have a similar but separate formation which is part of the Corps of Cadets (VFMAC Field Music) which only uses drums (snares, tenors and basses), cymbals and bugles and from 2011, fifes. Formed in 1956, it also provides the official guard-of-honour for visitors to the Delaware Valley area.

The long American heritage in the corps is reflected in various civil Ancient Fife and Drum Corps preserving this proud part of American military music history, and in the only such military corps in the entire US Armed Forces, the United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps raised in 1960 and part of the 3rd US Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) of the United States Army, mandated to revive this very part of American military music history and relive it for coming generations. This is the only musical unit of the US armed forces in which its drum major, wearing a classic 18th century infantry cap and carrying a spontoon, the honor badge and weapon of 18th century senior non-commissioned officers, salutes using the left hand. Musicians assigned to this unit wear 18th century military uniforms reminiscent of those used in the American Revolutionary War by the Continental Army drummers and fifers. Until the late 19th century the US Army and the United States Marine Corps maintained similar ensembles.