Marine Corps Drill Instructors Creed

By: Staff
SSgtNichols.com

"These recruits are entrusted to my care. I will train them to the best of my ability. I will develop them into smartly disciplined, physically fit, basically trained Marines, thoroughly indoctrinated in love of Corps and country. I will demand of them, and demonstrate by my own example, the highest standards of personal conduct, morality and professional skill."

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 they are training.

In order to become a Drill Instructor, an enlisted Marine must go through Drill Instructor School, an intense 11-week course. The Drill Instructor is considered to be one of the most respected and demanding positions a Marine can hold.

Drill Instructor School is 12 weeks long, consisting of but not limited to: Leadership, Professionalism, Time-Management, Physical Fitness, Marine Corps History, Standard Operating Procedures, Close Order Drill, Combat Conditioning, Instructional Techniques, Marine Corps Common Skills, Crucible, Weapons/Marksmanship, Uniform Inspections, and Teach Backs.

Selection to Drill Instructor School is extremely competitive. In order to get past the screening process, a Marine has to meet the following minimum standards:

1. Must be between the ages of 22 - 37 with the rank of Sergeant (E5) through Gunnery Sergeant (E7). Corporals (E4) may be considered if they will achieve the rank of Sergeant (E5) prior to graduation.

2. Have an ASVAB score of 90 or higher on the general and technical portion of the test that is taken for entry into military service.

3. Must not have any adverse Page 11's, which are "official" counseling within the last two years.

4. No alcohol related incidents within the last three years.

5. No court-martials within the last five years.

6. No non-judicial punishments within the last two years.

7. Must not have filed bankruptcy within the last two years.

8. Cannot be going through divorce or separation proceedings prior to reporting for DI School.

9. Must have a first class Physical Fitness Test (PFT).

Upon graduation from Drill Instructor School, new DI's are assigned a Battalion, Company, and a team.

When a Drill Instructor begins to train recruits, he or she 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 Dill Instructors wear green duty belts combined with the Campaign Cover, i.e. smokey bear cover.

Leading the platoon's Drill Instructors is the Senior Drill Instructor. The Senior Drill Instructor is the most experienced team member and is responsible for the other Drill Instructors and all recruits. He or she wears a black duty belt and the Campaign Cover. On pick-up day, recruits are introduced to their Drill Instructors.

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. Click here for 10 Tips to Prepare for Drill Instructor School.

Back