Founded in 1990, The Citadel Rifle Legion Drill Team is an all-class
co-educational drill team at The Citadel. The regulation
team drills using United States Marine Corps regulation
drill, utilizing demilitarized M1 Garand rifles generously
supplied by the NROTC Unit on campus. These rifles -
first manufactured in 1933 and used in World War Two,
the Korean War, and the Vietnam War - are still used
by the United States Marine Corps Silent Drill Team today.
The rifle weighs 9.5 lbs and is made of a composite fiberglass
stock. The exhibition team of the Rifle Legion, nicknamed "the
Praetorians" after
the elite Roman Empire Guards, is composed of tweleve cadets
who perform under a unique and ever-changing drill manual.
They, too, utilize the M1 Garand rifle, and perform in the
same uniform used by the South Carolina Corps of Cadets. The
Praetorians perform a silent, exhibition drill routine which
involves complicated spins, throws, and move.
The Rifle Legion has judged Junior
ROTC drill meets across North and South Carolina and has
performed as a color guard on many occasions. The team
is dedicated to improving its surrounding community, and
is available to judge both ROTC and JROTC drill meets throught
South Carolina and its surround states for a nominal fee.
To request more informatin regarding judging for your event,
please fill out the Judge Request Form. The Rifle Legion
also provides Color Guards for various events throught
the region. To request a Rifle Legion Color Guard, please
fill out the Color Guard Request Form. As Color Guards
are often in high demand, the team may not always be available
to perform; should this be the case, the Rifle Legion will
gladly help you find another color guard to perform at
your event.
Every year, the Rifle Legion Drill
Team copetes in the annual Tulane NROTC National Drill
Competition. Hosted in New Orleans, Lousiana by Tulane
University, the team has continuously been ranked in the
top ten. In 2005, the team placed sixth in the Armed Exhibition
category and, in 2007, the team placed second (the 2006
competition was cancelled due to Hurricane Katrina). On
this annual trip, the Rifle Legion marches in the New Orleans
parades on the days leading up to Mardi Gras.