The United States Merchant Marine Academy Regimental Band, designated as "George M. Cohan's Own", is a United States military band and college marching band that currently serves as the official marching band of the United States Merchant Marine Academy. The USMMA is the only service academy outside of the six senior military colleges, to maintain a cadet-staffed band for musical purposes. The band, unlike other musical units of service academies, is a co-located full-time ensemble. The band mainly provides ceremonial support for protocol ceremonies and athletic events. Their signature theme of the USMMA, "A Life on the Ocean Wave" and the "Star Spangled Banner" are usually performed at all ceremonies. The band is currently led by Lieutenant Commander Bob Nixon, succeeding Captain Kenneth Force who served with the band from 1971 to 2016.
History with the Macy's Parade[]
The Regimental Band has performed at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade for three consecutive years.