I hated my drill instructors in Parris Island. But when I was in Vietnam I understood and had the most admiration for them.

I went to Parris Island as a recruit from April to July 1977 in 3d Recruit Training Battalion. I was frightened and focused on 1 thing for 13 weeks, earning the title US Marine without being dropped for any reason. I retired nearly 29 years later as a CWO5 and then spent 20 more years as a Civil Servant supporting Marines. I truly have had a blessed life. Semper Fi. Kevin

One of the best statements about a Drill Instructor came from Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in "Full Metal Jacket":
I am hard but I am fair.

I went through DI school a long time ago. It was a great experience and the three years I spent at the Depot I considered as one of the best highlights of my overall time in the Marines. lots of great memories.

I loved my drill instructor, I was SO homesick.  He was like my parent, helping me, everything was done for a reason, I respected him SO much, I depended on him, 40 years later, I can still see him, wish I could do it again.  Thank you gunny

Damn, all their vocal chords are shot

My days as a DI were some of the greatest days of my life. Good stuff….Semper Fi (G 2nd Bn, MCRD San Diego)

Parris Island June 1970 platoon 257.  Didn't end up in Vietnam, but if I had gone there, rather than other deployments I'd have wanted my platoon leader to be the toughest DI I had at Parris Island.  I learned a lot about myself in the Marine Corps.

I would like to thank all of the men and women who serve and have served in our armed forces.

January 1978 DI School. It was a blur! Many times I questioned why I volunteered for this shit. SSgt. Parker was my squad instructor. After a full day of training he would come by the barracks and we’d head to the gym! No special treatment just a love of weightlifting. He’s a great guy and a true Marine 🇺🇸

So glad I did it back in the day. There's no way I could remember those modules today.  
Gotta admit, Marine Drill and Ceremony is so much cooler than the Army's.

"This We'll Defend"

I had a HARD time getting thru boot camp in 1966…this is next level…shout out to all Drill Instructors! Semper Fi!

Going through Parris Island in 1984 was one of the greatest accomplishments of my life!  Two drill instructors Sgt Brady and Delahunty made it their mission to see that my daily life there was pure hell.  But I never gave up and at the end I was a better man for it.  The DI's have an incredible amount of responsibility, and I respect them for that.

I was a Sgt in the United States Marine Corps 1967-70. I had a 2817 MOS KG-13 Crypto used for
Computer Data Transmission. Served with MWHG-1, MWCS-1, Danang Vietnam 1969.
After the service I went to college, got a A.A. in Business and Computer Programming, was employed by large Corporations ISD - Information Systems Divisions for 25 years.
So, I went to Parris Island SC. 2/67 – 4/67, then ITR Camp Geiger NC. then electronics schools at San Diego CA. and Lackland AFB TX.
I know the discipline is necessary, the problem we had was that they yelled at us and we did a lot of platoon PT.
Then, none of our uniforms fit right, things were to small or large, they could of spend more time on some
Important things, it made the time in the Marines a disappointment. But I am still proud to have been a
United States Marine.

When you go into the military service, know your clothing sizes, coat, shirt neck/sleeve length, trouser waist, inseam, hat and shoe sizes. It will be helpful for your utility and dress uniforms, you do not know who will be handing cloths out to you, do not except cloths that do not fit…

I reported to Navy Aviation Officer Candidate School (AOCS) on April 17, 1973, to try to make it though 14 weeks with Marine DIs whose order were NOT "Get them through!" like at Parris Island and MCRD San Diego..their orders were "Make them quit!" with virtually no rules or restrictions as to what they could do.

There is an individual who made it through Parris Island (to become a Marine), then Quantico (to become a Marine officer) then on to successfully complete AOCS (to become a Naval Aviator).  In his recorded opinion the time he spent (successfully) at AOCS was by far the most stressful of the three.

I made it through AOCS to become a Navy Airborne Electronic Warfare Officer and veteran of the last air combat of the Vietnam War on April 29, 1975, during Operation Frequent Wind (the evacuation of Saigon).

I still love SSGT L.E. Wills, USMC, my DI.  When we exchanged that first salute and I passed that silver dollar cartwheel he shook my hand, pulled me close and whispered, "You're going to be a damned good officer...and that is why the Navy is going to get rid of you as quick as possible."

He was right, but in the interim I made lifetime trusting friendships with my enlisted crewmates.

44 years ago, on October 22nd, 1982, I graduated from MCRD San Diego Platoon 3069). Three names forever etched in my memory are Senior Drill Instructor Staff Sergeant Genet, Drill Instructor Sergeant Kubal and Drill Instructor Sergeant Sheriff. Life changing experience that carried through my life up to this point. Would and will never regret it.

Went to Army BCT in 1981. Had a DS who was a two-tour Vietnam Vet with the 101st. He had a Ranger tab, a CIB, a Purple Heart, and a Bronze Star. He told us that if we wanted to take him on in the pit, there'd be no rank involved. We never took him up on it. We knew it wouldn't be a fair fight.

In 1980, as a part of our NCO Academy, we went to MCRD SD Drill Instructor School, where we learned what it takes to be a DI and the process interested Marines would need to complete to apply for the school. Since my EAS was later that year and I had no intention to reenlist, I found it interesting, but not something I was interested in. But I have the greatest respect for those who do!

I gotta give these guys and gals massive respect for going this. There going through something i could never pass.

these are real men and women. True heroes. Bless them all