Major Nathan D. Morris joined "The Commandant's Own" in September of 2007 as a member of the percussion section. After two years with the Drum Corps, Morris, a Corporal at the time, volunteered to be part of Task Force East, a provisional rifle company based out of the National Capital region. During his tenure with Task Force East, he deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) as squad leader and was subsequently promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
After his return in support of OIF, Morris was named percussion drillmaster in January of 2009. In the same year he began service as the unit’s Public Affairs assistant. In 2010 he was appointed as the Snare Drum Section Leader. In November of 2012, Morris was appointed as the Percussion Instructor and Arranger, a billet in which he served until December of 2014. In January of 2015, Major Morris attended the Warrant Officers Basic Course at Camp Barrett, Quantico VA. He now serves as the Commanding Officer for the Marine Drum and Bugle Corps.
Major Morris began his musical instruction at the age of 9. He attended Lassiter High School where he studied under esteemed Director Alfred Watkins and percussion instructor Mike Lynch. While at Lassiter, he performed in symphonic band, percussion ensemble and marching band, including the 1998 Bands of America National Championship Marching Band. After graduation, he attended Middle Tennessee State University and studied under Lalo DaVila. He was member of the MTSU “Band Of Blue,” percussion ensemble, wind ensemble, Salsa band and Steel band. In 2004, Morris won the PASIC Indoor Drumline Championship. The summers of his college years were spent marching with the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps as a snare drummer from 2003-2005. He continued his relationship with the Boston Crusaders as a staff member in 2006 and 2007. He marched with the Atlanta Quest Winter drumline in 2003 and 2004 and continued his indoor career with Music City Mystique, earning the bronze medal in 2005 and the gold medal in 2006.
Major Morris has performed with "The Commandant's Own" both across the United States and around the globe. He has toured throughout Europe, the South Pacific and Japan, has performed for Presidents and Heads of State, as well as hundreds of thousands in both civilian and military audiences. Professionally, his most notable appearances include performances for Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama during the Evening Parades at Marine Barracks, as well as two joint performances with the New York Philharmonic.
Major Morris is a graduate of The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Communications from Middle Tennessee State University
His personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement.