HOT SPRINGS – Master Sergeant Tyrell Whitcher, 2004 Hot Springs High School (HSHS) Alumnus, has been proudly serving in the United States Marine Corps since 2004, calling the prestigious Marine Barracks Washington DC 8th and I his current home.
Whitcher reported to the Marine Corps Barrackes Washington DC 8th and I, the oldest continuously occupied public building in Washington, D.C., in August 2020 upon invitation to try out for Commandant of the Marine Corps’ Parade Staff.
While Whitcher’s original MOS was Landing Support, his path led him to his current duty station serving as a Senior Enlisted Advisor, Enlisted Parade Commander and Senior Swordsman.
Though active in high school in football, wrestling, baseball and rodeo, Whitcher’s memories of HSHS were more of the teachers than the actual studies or subject matter.
“I loved Weightlifting class because I have always loved being active and working out, but mostly because I loved Jonas Weiss who taught weightlifting and was my wrestling coach.”
He also enjoyed helping where he could.
“I loved my period of being a TA or ‘teachers assistant’,” he said. “Again, not necessarily because I loved the subject of the teacher I assisted; but because I absolutely loved and adored the teacher Sheryl Brost and still do to this day. She is one of the most kind and wonderful people I have been fortunate enough to meet.”
Inspired by his teachers as well as his family, Whitcher was destined for service; in community or for nation.
“My family has a lot of history of military service. My maternal grandfather was a fighter pilot in World War II and my paternal grandfather served in Korea. Many of my cousins have served or are still serving in different branches and so is my younger brother.”
But in 2003 his heart and soul decided his destiny.
“When the United States had just crossed the line of departure into Iraq and I felt a sense of duty, or that it was ‘my turn’ or ‘my time” to serve,’” he said.
With the military blood pumping through his veins and an admiration for those who serve for family, country and corps, Whitcher signed over his life to defend yours and our nation with the USMC in November 2004.
In fall of 2020, Whitcher was invited to try out for the Commandant of the Marine Corps’ Parade Staff and was selected in February 2021.
Parade Staff Marines are individually selected from schools of infantry and collaterally train in the field as infantrymen as well as their ceremonial duties with the Silent Drill Platoon.
According to USMC Silent Drill Platoon (SDP) mission statement, ‘The United States Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon is a highly disciplined platoon that exemplifies the pride and professionalism associated with all Marines. The SDP is a 24 man rifle unit that performs military drill movements without any verbal cadence or commands. The Marines of the SDP execute a series of calculated drill movements and precise handling of their handpolished, 10-and-one-half pound, M1 Garand rifles with fixed bayonets, concluding with a unique rifle inspection sequence demonstrating elaborate rifle spins and tosses, with performances across the nation and abroad.’
While Whitcher admits the rigorous practices in the humid DC heat can be challenging, he feels all the work is worth it being “blessed” to meet Medal of Honor recipients, sitting Presidents, Ambassadors, members of Congress and Senate, film directors, athletes and more.
However exhilarating those contacts may be, there is one particular parade visitor who really touches his heart.
“My favorite interactions are with the kids that come to see the Parades,” said Whitcher. “Most of them have never seen a Marine before in their life and they just look at and talk to you like you are a superhero, they want their picture taken with you and are so thankful for your time, attention, and service. It is a very humbling and gratifying experience.”
While interaction with the public is almost always positive, the team exudes professionalism and Marine pride, even when faced with dire circumstances.
Whitcher recalls an incident when at a parade Her Royal Majesty’s (Queen of England) Ambassador to the United States was a Guest of Honor.
“During the portion of the Parade where SDP is doing ‘The Grinder’ (when one rank of Marines is standing completely still and two ranks are marching, one on either side of the static rank, and spinning rifles with fixed bayonets as they pass by individual Marines in the static rank), one of the bayonets nicked one of the Marines standing still.”
That nick was enough to begin to soak the dress white pants with blood.
“This Marine was standing directly in front of the British Royal Ambassador. He didn’t even flinch or show any sign of pain, he just stared through her, almost as if to say, “this is an example of why America no longer pays the King or Queen’s tax”.”
Luckily part of the sequence of the parade called for blackouts, at which time the injured and bloody Marine was whisked away to the ER. When the lights came back on Whitcher said no one was the wiser. “They were able to do it without guests seeing it or being alarmed.”
“Those pants the Marine was wearing are now framed and hang on one of the walls at Marine Barracks Washington,” said Whitcher.
Whitcher will have served 20 years this November, though he admits once a Marine always a Marine, he hopes to move back home to South Dakota, “God’s country”.
“From there, who knows,” said Whitcher. “Maybe run for some kind of office if I feel the calling to still serve the greater good in some capacity.”
While the military has served Whitcher well, he hopes youth, whether they follow the military route or another, will give it their all.
“No matter what I have ever set out to do, accomplish, undertaken etc. the single most important thing principal I have ever applied and told myself is ‘all it takes is all you’ve got’,” he said. “That is my mantra that I apply to every single thing I approach in my life.”