| THE MAKING OF A MARINE DRILL INSTRUCTOR provided by MarineLINK Story by Cpl. Scott Whittington Just a short road march south of here, new recruits arrive every week at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, stepping out of civilian life and entering the first and only right of passage to earning the Eagle, Globe and Anchor. Marine drill instructors introduce them to a new way of life. Before drill instructors are allowed to mold recruits into the future of the Corps, they must pass a test. The MCRD Drill Instructor School ensures they set the example of what a Marine should be, according to Staff Sgt. Damian Moreno, senior drill instructor for 1st Bn, C Company. The school is 3 months long. Marines that are accepted to the school must display a high level of maturity, leadership, judgement and professionalism, according to Staff Sgt. Liane M. Pollard, H & HS career planner, MCAS Miramar. Pollard said there are criteria a Marine must meet before going to the school. Upon reporting to the school, Marines must have at least 24 months of obligated service remaining on their present contract and all training requirements must be current. A waiver granted for the purpose of reenlistment is not a valid waiver for Drill Instructor School. Also, each Marine must be medically qualified. "The majority of medical drops from this course are due to aggravating previous injuries," said Pollard. Migraine sufferers are medically disqualified. Psychological dysfunction or the inability to cope with stressful environments are also disqualifying factors. "These determinations by medical personnel may also result in a physical evaluation board to determine fitness for worldwide assignment and may affect further retention in the Corps," Pollard said. Other Requirements: · Rank of sergeant through gunnery sergeant. Corporals may be considered if they will be promoted prior to graduating the school. · 22 - 37 years old · Scored a 90 or above on the general, technical portion on the Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery. · No courts-martial within five years, which would require a waiver, not more than two non-judicial punishments within five years or any within two years. · No adverse page 11 entries within two years, any alcohol-related incidents within three years or any drug-related incidents during their Marine Corps career. · Must also not have filed for bankruptcy within two years. Also, the Marine must not be involved with the Exceptional Family Member Program or Family Advocacy Program. They also must not have divorce or separation proceedings pending prior to reporting to school. A Marine entering the school does not have to have a first-class physical fitness test, but they would benefit by having one before reporting to the school since drill instructors are responsible for training recruits. "This is a very physical school, but it also requires much study time," said Pollard. "If PT is going to be a distraction, students should weigh options very carefully. Reporting to school out of shape is going to make this a very difficult process." "Going to drill instructor school brought me back to what it means to be a Marine," said Moreno. "Drill instructors are the epitome of the Corps." Moreno has been a drill instructor for two years. He said the key to passing the school was concentration and attention to detail. "The hardest thing was learning everything so fast," said Moreno. The school has many classes. There are also unannounced inspections on uniforms. "We had to be squared away at all times." As Marines in the fleet carrying on with their daily lives, DIs are taught how to teach what it takes to be one of the few, the proud. The Marines that guide these recruits on their journey work hard to learn what it takes to mold men. The school was tough, but as for now Moreno concluded, "I just want to create good quality Marines." |
| HISTORY OF THE MARINE DRILL INSTRUCTOR'S COVER The unique style of hat worn by today's Marine Corps Drill Instructors, shows a direct line from the U.S. Army felt hat of 1855. As the hat's crown became shorter and the brim became wider, it was referred to as a campaign hat. As the Army moved out onto the frontier (1870-1890), various styles were issued, but the major complaint of soldiers was that the hat was black and hot. (It was not until 1888 that the U.S. Army finally issued a brown campaign hat. The U.S. Calvary never wore a white campaign hat except in the movies.) During the war with Spain in 1898, the Marine Corps fielded a battalion of Marines who were the first troops to land in Cuba. Wearing their traditional blue uniforms of the period, Marines requested campaign hats from the U.S. Army to help combat the tropical heat and humidity. These were the first "field hats" worn by Marines, and would also be worn in the Philippines; in China, during the Boxer Rebellion, and later during the Philippine Insurrection. At this time, the Marine Corps Eagle, Globe and Anchor was normally worn, pinned to the left side in the British fashion. In 1912, the Marines introduced their own style of field hat, with brim folded over and stitched to give the hat the appearance of a thicker brim. Marines who have worn the campaign hat, pride themselves on keeping the brim perfectly straight. The field hat remained in service until the beginning of WWII, when felt became a critical war material. During the war and after, the campaign hat was used exclusively by Marine competitive marksmanship teams. The introduction of the pre-World War II campaign or field hat worn by drill instructors today originated during an advisory council meeting in 1956. Senior noncommissioned officers strongly recommended the adoption of better "headgear" for DIs. At that time, the khaki barracks cap had a bill but didn't shade the eyes. The soft khaki garrison cap didn't have a bill, and the green herringbone cape worn with the field uniform was also inadequate in the summer sun. The pith helmet was a practical alternative for wear in the hot Carolina summer. It was cool and its wide brim provided good shade for the eyes and neck. It later became the hat used by marksmanship instructors at the rifle range. Further study indicated that the field hat was the item most preferred by DIs. It shaded the neck and eyes well, but did not keep the head as cool as the pith helmet. The field hat was a bit of tradition going back to the "Old Corps" of pre-World War II days. It also was more suitable for year-round wear than the pith helmet. By early June 1956, the Depot had requisitioned 1,000 field hats for delivery on Sept. 1, 1956, but General Wallace M. Greene Jr., wanted to order 700 hats immediately. Saturday, July 21, 1956, at 7:30 a.m. all 603 drill instructors of the recruit training command obtained their new hats. Only two hat cords are authorized for wear on the Marine Corps campaign hat. A gold cord for flag officers (generals), and scarlet and gold for officers– Both warrant and commissioned. The U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force have also adopted the use of campaign hats. At MCRD, San Diego, those Marines privileged to wear the campaign hat refer to it simply, but affectionately, as "the Hat". FEMALE DRILL INSTRUCTORS AUTHORIZED TO WEAR "SMOKEY" The Commandant of the Marine Corps announced Sept. 13, 1996, that all female drill instructors are authorized to wear the previously male-only "Smokey" field hat. The Commandant's decision has answered the frequently asked question, "Why not?" It was first asked in 1978 when the first females graduated from DI School and again in 1983 when female DIs began wearing their scarlet shoulder cord. During their Sept. 26, 1996, graduation ceremony, female DI School graduates were issued field hats. A cord retirement ceremony took place Oct. 2, 1996, after which female DIs ceased wearing the scarlet cord and began wearing the cover. The commandant, General Charles C. Krulak, was on hand for the event. The final scarlet shoulder cord, the previous symbol of a female DI, was placed in the Parris Island Museum. Marines that wear the field hat, the campaign cover or the "Smokey" and train Marine Corps recruits must train recruits by the DI Pledge. The Pledge was written in 1956 by drill instructors for drill instructors. |
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| THE FIRST WORDS THAT YOU WILL HEAR FROM YOUR SENIOR DRILL INSTRUCTOR My name is (Rank/Name). I am your Senior Drill Instructor. I am assisted in my duties by: (Rank/Name) and (Rank/Name). Our mission is to train each one of you to become a United States Marine. A Marine is characterized as one who possesses the highest military virtues. He obeys orders, respects his seniors, and strives constantly to be the best in everything he does. Discipline and spirit are the hallmarks of a Marine. Each of you can become a Marine if you develop discipline and spirit. We will give every effort to train you, even after some of you have given up on yourselves. Starting now, you will treat me and all other Marines with the highest respect, for we have earned our places as Marines and will accept nothing less than that from you. We will treat you as we do our fellow Marines: with firmness, fairness, dignity and compassion. At no time will you be physically or verbally abused by any Marine or recruit. If anyone should abuse or mistreat you, I expect you to report such incidents immediately to me or one of my drill instructors. Further, if you believe that I have mistreated you, I expect you to report it to the series commander, (rank/name). My drill instructors and I will be with you every day, everywhere you go. I have told you what my drill instructors and I will do for you. From you we expect the following: - You must give 100% of yourself at all times. - Obey all orders, instantly, willingly, and without question. - Treat all Marines and recruits with courtesy and respect. - You will not physically abuse or verbally threaten another Marine or recruit. - Be completely honest in evrything you do. A Marine never lies, cheats, or compromises. - Respect the rights and property of all others. A Marine never steals. - You must work hard to strengthen you body. - Be proud of yourself and the uniform you wear. - Try your best to learn the things you will be taught. - Above all else, never quit or give up. We offer you the challenge of Recruit Training - - the opportunity to earn the title "United States Marine." |
| SURVIVAL TACTICS FOR MARINE BOOT CAMP 1. Avoid eye contact. (It's harder for a Drill Instructor to intimidate you if you're looking past or through him!) 2. Bear in mind that no matter how traumatic things seem Boot Camp is only Temporary. In fifteen or sixteen years it will seem like a dimly-remembered cruel joke. 3. Trying your damnedest to achieve something is often more impressive than actually achieving it. Drill Instructors look for motivation and spirit more than anything else. Show it to them and they'll be happy. (You do want your Drill Instructor to be happy.) 4. Don't volunteer for anything. 5. Keep your mouth shut and your eyes and ears open. 6. Doing push-ups (you'll do plenty of these) with your fingers spread and your palms off of the deck is easier than doing them with your fingers together and your palms flat. I don't know why, I just found it to be true. 7. Never, ever, ask a Drill Instructor "Why?" 8. Never smile at or near or within sight of a Drill Instructor. You have no right looking happy in boot camp, and if a Drill Instructor sees you looking this way he'll take steps to remedy the situation. 9. When you have to say something to a Drill Instructor, make sure your words are of the one or two syllable variety. That way you'll be less apt to say something that'll get you in trouble. "No, sir" or "Yes, sir" are good ones to learn. 10. Eat quickly in the mess halls. Drill Instructors will occasionally abruptly terminate the time allotted for leisurely dining. ("We're having duck for dinner - duck in and duck out.") 11. Begin and end every sentence with the word "sir" (i.e., "Sir the Private requests permission to speak, sir!" or "Sir, yes, sir!"). 12. When you speak, speak loudly. 13. Avoid personal pronouns ("I," "me," "you," "they," "we") when speaking to Drill Instructors. 14. Despite what you may think the Sergeants, Staff Sergeants and Gunnery Sergeants are really your friends. The Officers may or may not be. If you have to confide something to someone, tell the Drill Instructor. 15. Reserve duty outside of boot camp is nothing like active duty during boot camp. As you may suspect, this is good. And as long as we're on the subject, 16. Don't tell anyone you're a reservist unless you have to. Everybody else will be on active duty when they get out of boot camp, and misery loves a companion. 17. Don't question for one minute your decision to enlist in the Marines. It's too late to do anything about it now and it's not a productive train of thought. (Anyway, in future years you'll be proud you did it.) 18. Make damn sure your boots fit. Foot trouble in boot camp can cause serious problems - like not graduating with your platoon. 19. Don't get sick. Getting sick in boot camp can cause serious problems - like not graduating with your platoon. 20. Stay awake during the classes. You don't want the attention Drill Instructors lavish upon dozing recruits. |
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| THINGS NOT TO SAY TO YOUR DRILL INSTRUCTOR * My recruiter wanted me to tell you to be especially nice to me. * I want my mommy. *Okay, you can stop yelling anytime you want. * I can't wait to graduate and be a real soldier! * I should've joined the Navy. * You want me to do what? * Dude. * My Mom (or Recruiter) said you aren't allowed to swear at me. * Where's my stress card? (Army thing) * I'm a reservist and I'm just doing this for college money. * I'm going to be an MP. * Yes, Drill Sergeant! (definite NO NO!) |
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