SOLDIERS FIRST.....

The Role of the Infantry: "To close with and destroy the enemy by day or by night regardless of season, weather or terrain."

Second Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Pipes and Drums (2RCR P&D) is unique to Canada's oldest regular infantry Regiment. Consistent with the role of Canada's première mechanized infantry battalion, the members of 2RCR Pipes and Drums are first and foremost professional infantry soldiers. Selected from the Battalions rifle companies, volunteers to this platoon must maintain a high standard of infantry skills; including, physical fitness, marksmanship and weapons proficiency, fieldcraft and battlecraft.

The historical model of regimental bands staffed by non-combatant professional musicians whose sole mandate is garrison duties is not the case with P&D platoon. Members of 2RCR Pipes and Drums must be fully qualified infantiers having completed the Regimental Battle School and infantry specific trade and career courses. Soldiers in the platoon are highly cross-trained through courses such as Assault Pioneer, Recce Patrolman, Combat Intelligence, Combat Communicator, Parachutist, Anti-Armour, and Sniper. Many of the platoons soldiers have been awarded the Canadian Forces Decoration, for 12 years of exemplary continuous service, attesting to the high degree of professionalism and dedication that is required of platoon personnel.

The only two personnel in the platoon who are not infantiers are the Pipe Major and the Drum Instructor, who are professional musicians. Their essential positions provide for the musical training and guidance within the platoon.

During routine field training exercises and operational deployments P&D platoon constitutes an important flexible resource available to the Commanding Officer for the purpose of filling gaps within the Battalion's organization. In garrison the Pipes and Drums falls within Lima Company as per Standard Operating Procedures for the Battalion's Order of Battle.

Examples of Operational Deployments where platoon members have served:

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Platoon Organization

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