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Major Brian Dix (RET.)
“Madam Vice President” March Composer

Major Brian Dix, United States Marine Corps, retired, led a brilliant military career as a conductor and composer spanning over 30 years of dedicated service. As Director Laureate of the highly beloved U.S. Marine Drum & Bugle Corps, “The Commandant’s Own” from Washington D.C., his distinguished leadership elevated this ensemble’s musical prowess that was witnessed by millions of people during concerts, performances and ceremonies throughout the United States, its territories, plus four continents.

Dix enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1983 then graduated from Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA. He later graduated with honors from the Armed Forces School of Music, then reported to Marine Barracks for duty as a contra-bass bugler under the command of legendary drum corps Hall of Fame recipient and Director of “The Commandant’s Own” Colonel Truman W. Crawford. 

On February 2, 2010, following a Presidential Appointment to the rank of Major, the first of its kind in the armed forces, Major Dix assumed full command of The U.S. Marine Drum & Bugle Corps. Additionally, he served as Commander of the Marine Corps Battle Color Detachment, which includes "The Commandant's Own," the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon and the Official Color Guard of the Marine Corps. He held this position until his retirement in April 2015.

Major Dix's military decorations include the Legion of Merit, Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Gold Star for Heroic Achievement and a Navy Certificate of Commendation for his volunteer work at the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, along with numerous unit citations. 

Major Brian Dix (RET.)
“Madam Vice President” March Composer

Major Brian Dix, United States Marine Corps, retired, led a brilliant military career as a conductor and composer spanning over 30 years of dedicated service. As Director Laureate of the highly beloved U.S. Marine Drum & Bugle Corps, “The Commandant’s Own” from Washington D.C., his distinguished leadership elevated this ensemble’s musical prowess that was witnessed by millions of people during concerts, performances and ceremonies throughout the United States, its territories, plus four continents.

Dix enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1983 then graduated from Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA. He later graduated with honors from the Armed Forces School of Music, then reported to Marine Barracks for duty as a contra-bass bugler under the command of legendary drum corps Hall of Fame recipient and Director of “The Commandant’s Own” Colonel Truman W. Crawford. 

On February 2, 2010, following a Presidential Appointment to the rank of Major, the first of its kind in the armed forces, Major Dix assumed full command of The U.S. Marine Drum & Bugle Corps. Additionally, he served as Commander of the Marine Corps Battle Color Detachment, which includes "The Commandant's Own," the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon and the Official Color Guard of the Marine Corps. He held this position until his retirement in April 2015.

Major Dix's military decorations include the Legion of Merit, Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Gold Star for Heroic Achievement and a Navy Certificate of Commendation for his volunteer work at the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, along with numerous unit citations.