Chilean Navy bagpipers

[hospitaller]

Well what do you know, while looking at a video for some of the Chilean Armed Forces, there is a short sequence (about 5 seconds) where a marching company of fully battle ready DIM4 Cochrane (Marines) can be seen behind their equally fully battle equipped bagpipers.

Of note, Lord Cochrane was one of the founders of the Chilean Navy, much as John Paul Jones is known as "the father of the us navy". Marines in Chile date to 1818 when Lord Cochrane was commisioned as Vice-Admiral of the Fleet during Chile's own War of Independence from Spain.

This is the one and only unit in the Chilean Armed Forces authorized to have bagpipers as part of their TOE.

Needless to say, this is a fantastic surprise.





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[Bigkahuna]

Wow that might have caused some confusion if they got involved in the Falklands War!

[Highlander31]

Cool. I didn't know Chile had pipers. Hospitaller, thanks for the bit of history as well.

[KFCarter]

A day doesn't go by that I don't learn something interesting on this site! Thanks for posting that.

[NorCalPiper]

I heard of this! They had special instructors come and do rigorous training with the pipers for almost a year and a half. They all did a good job from what i've heard (It was a small news clip some time ago...Maybe BBC). MAcCallum bagpipes made their pipes also. Cool isn't it?!?!?

[cajunscot]

Of note, Lord Cochrane was one of the founders of the Chilean Navy, much as John Paul Jones is known as "the father of the us navy". Marines in Chile date to 1818 when Lord Cochrane was commisioned as Vice-Admiral of the Fleet during Chile's own War of Independence from Spain.

The Brazilian Marines (Corps of Naval Light Infantry) also maintain a pipe band:

https://www.mar.mil.br/cgcfn/cfn/bandas.htm

Note the Brazilian variant of a "glengarry" in the picture.

Lord Cochrane also served in the Brazilian Navy for a time.

Saludos,

Todd

[Colonel MacNeal]

Terialka would be proud! I'll send her a note.

[Tattoo Bradley]

Thanks for the mini-lesson, Hector. Truly fascinating.

[GMan]

I always enjoy hearing things like this.

[Nick the DSM]

Woo! Go Chilean-Scots!