Drill instructors epitomize the word "Marine." It is their sole responsibility to take Americans who want to claim the title and transform them into basically trained Marines. Drill instructors are an example and a mentor to the recruits while they are in training.
When a drill instructor begins to train recruits, he is usually accompanied by two to three other drill instructors all assigned to one platoon. A platoon will generally have approximately 60 to 80 recruits. These drill instructors wear green duty belts combined with a hat called a campaign cover, i.e. smokey bear cover.
Drill instructors are the first Marines recruits see when they arrive at MCRD and are the Marines that take them the entire way through recruit training up until graduation day. Drill instructors are literally with recruits 24 hours a day. |
