What did he say?
Picture this, the phone rings and its your beloved DI on the other end and he tries to tell you this. Now don't forget the lovely, froggy voice talking...........
"Hey honey it's me. Thought I would give you a quick call to remind you I am working lights to lights. The recruits are about to do the IST but the SDI is big dad'ding them right now. I think we might have to send two to PCP. We will have to see. I can't wait til T-1 and soon off lights. Just think during team week we might get to see each other more. Hopefully we will get maintenance over mess. Well I have to run. I think during the next outpost I will be going to SDI school before pick up week. Love you."
As he lays down the phone you hear chaos in the background.
Sounds familiar???????
If you lost some of the hidden meaning or just reminiscing about those days, I thought I would try and let you all know some of the DI lingo to help you through it. Wish me luck, if I get something wrong let me know, if I left something out - I will add it.
* A quick note...in making this page we have realized that Parris Island and San Diego have a little different definition for the same word. So I am working on how to note which definition is for what depot. Please be patient with me...........*
- SDI
- Senior Drill Instructor (aka black belt or big dad)
- 2nd Hat
- Also known as right-hand man. At Parris Island they are called The Heavy and at San Diego can be called J. Just below the senior and wears a green belt. Teaches most of the drill to recruits.
- 3rd Hat
- Wears a green belt and teaches most of the knowledge to recruits.
- 4th Hat
- If you are luck enough to have a 4 hat team, he is usually the new DI. Wears green belt and plays psycho role real well.
- Nick (PI) or Bob (SD)
- See definition of 4th hat.
- BDR
- Basic Daily Routine
- Black belt
- This is the belt only worn by the Senior Drill Instructor
- Green belt
- Worn by the 2nd, 3rd and 4th hats.
- SOP
- Standard Operating Proceedure. Basically the Bible for DIs. It has all the rules and regulations they have to follow. Usually kept in a thick binder.
- Lights
- Means they are with the recruits from the time they wake up until after they are asleep. Lights is something that happens in the first week they pick up a platoon.
- IST
- Initial Strength Test. This happens on forming day 2. The recruits are tested to make sure they can do the minimum strength requirements.
- T-Day(fill in number)
- Training day ??? whatever day they are on.
- MRP
- Medical Rehabilitation Platoon~~ is part of STC or Special
Training Company you are assigned to MRP by a medical officer for
rehabilitation of injury or illness.
- PCP
- Physical Conditioning Platoon~~ also part of STC recruits are
assigned to PCP for failure of the IST during processing or failure of
any PFT (Physical Fitness Test)
- Mess and Maintenance
- Is a part of team week duties during a recruit
training cycle. During the 7 days of team week recruits will usually work daily as part of Mess Duty (working in the chow hall(dining facility)or as part of the Maintenance Detail around the base(working on cleanliness and repairs)
- Team Week
- See Mess and Maintenance above. This is the time when the DIs might be lucky enough to get some time off. They usually go a few days of duty in a row. Then have other days off unless they have to stay with the recruits who didn't qualify on the rifle range.
- Series
- Three or four platoons undergoing identical stages of training simultaneously. Two series per company,lead and follow.
- Street or Trenches>
- Slang term used for a Drill Instructor working directly with recruits.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Taken from "Family Guide to Parris Island"
Q: How long is recruit training?
A: Recruit training is 12 weeks long.
Q: What are the promotion possibilities for DI's?
A: There are opportunitiesfor standard as well as meritorious promotions while on the drill field. The board convenes biannually.
Q: What is an allegation; what does it mean?
A: An allegation is a contention that the recruit SOP has been violated. Allegations of violance can come from many sources but all must be resolved but all must be resolved quickly and in an impartial manner. Along with an allegation comes the feeling of alienation. This is a time when families should pull together and support one another. Also, the continual support of friends is needed during these trying times. Try not to abandon a friend in hard times.
Q: What, if any, is additional pay for DI's?
A: DI's on the street, or in the trenches, receive $275.00 per month "Special Duty Assignment" pay and free dry cleaning and laundry service of organizational uniforms.
Q: What is a Training Cycle?
A: Recruit training is a 12 week long process. For one week during their time at the Depot, they will be on Team Week. During this time, the recruits will be temporarily assigned to other units aboard the Depot, such as Dining Facility (Chow Hall) and base maintenance to perform normal upkeep tasks. Drill Instructors can expect to receive a little time off.
Q: What is a "Support Billet"?
A: At some point during the three year tour, DI's will be attached to Support Battalion or Weapons and Field Training Battalion for a period ranging from 6 to 18 months. The term "support billet" or "going on support billet" refers to this period of time when the DI is not working "on the street" but is serving in one of the many instructional, rehabilitation, or other support billets. Support billet assignments will typically come half-way through the tour, and the more regular working hours give Drill Instructors a chance to regroup. After completion of a support billet assignment, the Marine will normally return to the "street" for the remainder of his tour.
Q: What is "Outpost"?
A: This is the time between cycles, after a recruit graduation and before the next recruit training cycle begins. During this time the Drill Instructor may receive some time off. This varies with each outpost. Also, there are times when there is no outpost. They refer to this as a "back to back". That is when they graduate a platoon on a Friday and pick up the next platoon on Saturday.
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