Prepare for Drill Instructor School

Category: Marine Corps Drill Instructor

Published: Friday, August 07, 2009

SSgt. Nichols' 10 Tips to help "Prepare for Drill Instructor School"

While in the Fleet, ensure that you attend Corporals� Course, Sergeant�s Course and SNCO Academy if you can. This experience will give you the knowledge needed building you up both personally and professionally to become more effective and efficient Drill Instructor student. The more you prepare, the easier Drill Instructor School will be!
Study your teach-backs prior to attending DI School. If you do this, it will be that much easier because you will spend the majority of your free time studying these. Basically, you will have to learn EVERY drill movement verbatim. You have 4 per week to learn, get a DI School Instructor to present them to and have them sign off you know it. At the end of the week, you will draw a card on the parade deck and march across it and scream it back verbatim to the DI.
Have all your uniforms prepared prior to arriving to DI school so you're not focusing your time on that when you will be busy with academics and teach-backs. There are inspections several times a week, usually after lunch when you least expect it so be ready when you return from lunch.
When you arrive at DI school, be prepared to be treated like a recruit again (kind of) finding yourself sounding off, banging on hatches to speak to instructors and sitting up straight with your feet at 45 degrees in classes.
Be professional, we all pick up nasty habits in the Fleet and these could cause a problem if your not ready to get back to the basics. You have to have thick skin which you will hear allot in DI school and as a Drill Instructor
During DI school, students are dropped for academics, physical fitness, attitudes. Basically, you are going to be training to be the elite so if that is not you, don�t go. If this is something you have to do, prepare.
PT is no joke. Do whatever you can to get ready but even when you think you're ready, the DI school instructors are going to smoke you. That�s if you put out as you should to better yourself.
Calling Cadence during PT. There are allot of students that never really learned how to do this in the fleet. I would challenge you to get some tapes and practice. Of course you're not going to be singing Moto cadences to the recruits in the beginning but eventually you will so learn and practice prior to having to perform it.
Crucible, you will do the crucible again, only as a D.I. school student where the standards are even higher. I thought prior to doing this it was a joke because we did not do it during my recruit days. However, it was extremely challenging because your always moving, humping ect and you will be smoked if you put out.
Last tip, when you get ready for your final inspection in Drill Instructor school, you will have your Campaign Cover on. Ensure you do not put the strap that holds the DI cover on your head tight. You will be standing there for a long time and it will kill your head as I made this mistake��..

If your going to DI school and want me to answer so additional questions, send you some stuff, ect�.. email me at ssgtnichols@me.com and I will do what I can to help you prior to going to DI School but in the end, it�s truly what you make it. Be prepared as much as possible and once you become a DI and go across the street, it will be even harder but in the end, it�s worth the sacrifice. God Bless and Semper Fi!

SSgt. Nichols

Visitor Comments ( 8 ) | Post a Comment

Posted by: Noel Harris
Friday, July 09, 2010 @ 3:37:12 PM

Good afternoon SSgt, I am currently stationed in San Diego,Ca at MCAS Miramar. I have been trying to find the teach backs and a training scehdule I could use to get myself ready for the DI school. Would you happen to know how I can get my hands on these items?

Posted by: 2nd bn
Saturday, July 03, 2010 @ 9:41:09 PM

I have a question. I am currently at DI school and we have had SDI seminars and DI seminars and they say that in order to be successful across the street you have to be hungry and that no body cares. In your opionin, what is the best way to prepare to go across the street. I took your advice on studying the teachbacks ahead of time and it sure has helped alot. The uniforms was another story. I had everything marked but it was attention to detail. they wanted the name to be 1/4'' from each side of the tape and centered. then a 1/4 of an inch from the bottom part of the collar. so needless to say i spent a lot of time redoing my marking on the uniforms I have advice for you... Quit being a weak ass hat like you were taught to be!!

Posted by: mark
Saturday, May 22, 2010 @ 1:15:57 PM

Posted by: Sgt. Silva JC
Tuesday, May 11, 2010 @ 11:18:09 AM

Ssgt my name is Sgt Silva I was wondering if you had an accurate list of the uniforms we will need at DI school I have seen three different ones and each is different I just want to start getting all my uniforms and gear ready for when I leave to school. Thank you for your time and I hope to hear from you SEMPER FI.

Posted by: Cpl Brian Alloway
Saturday, March 06, 2010 @ 6:07:39 PM

Ssgt I am getting ready to deploy to Afghanistan. While in country I have to make a decision about which B Billet to go for. Right now I have narrowed it down to DI or MSG. What can you tell me about your decision to go to DI school, and if you could, please give me a few of the benefits you recieved from your time on the depot? i am currently stationed at 29 Palms with 1st Tank Battalion. SEMPER FI, Cpl Alloway

Posted by: Chris Yoes
Wednesday, December 16, 2009 @ 12:59:28 AM

SSGT Nichols, I believe I met you back in 2004 at MCRD San Diego. I was former Navy for four years and decided to join the corps in March 2004. I was in 3rd Battalion India Company: SDI SSGT McGuire. Being punished for my actions, I was stuck outside of the chow hall on a bench because I was getting kicked out from boot camp. I had failed in motivation and made a huge mistake. You were the only Drill Instructor that offered me a chance to correct my mistake and asked if I was willing to change my mind and try to go back into training. I regret to this day that I did not take that offer. You seemed to be a great leader that could inspire just about anyone. Sometimes I beat myself up for not making it through boot camp. How can I live like a Marine without becoming a Marine? I am too old to join now and would require a lot of waivers and physical conditioning. Thank you for that brief moment when I was on that bench. Anyway, I wish you the best!

Posted by: John Waldron
Thursday, October 08, 2009 @ 7:38:43 PM

SSgt Nichols. I just wanted to let you know what an outstanding website you have. I also appreciate your selfless dedication and service to our country. If you could ever use a volunteer Marine Corps historian, feel free to contact me and I'd be more than happy to lend my 20 years of experience. Semper Fi!!!

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Wednesday, August 26, 2009 @ 6:54:03 AM

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