San Diego -- The snap and pop, sharp pivots, and tight posture recruits of Company A, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, have practiced for the past ten weeks culminated on training day 54 as they showed their skills during final drill aboard Marine Recruit Depot San Diego Oct. 1.
Drill is a tradition that is taught throughout recruit training which instills some of the basic traits a Marine must have. Through drill, recruits learn discipline, endurance, and attention to detail among other traits that will help them as they go forth in their Marine Corps careers.
“Final drill encompasses all of the disciplines and obedience they have learned up until this point,” said Staff Sgt. Jerry Duncan, senior drill instructor, Platoon 1002. “It finally gives them the opportunity to showcase all of the hard work that they’ve put into it.”
During the event, recruits and their senior drill instructors are put under the microscope as three drill masters wander through the platoon, inspecting them grading platoons based off of their performance.
“Final drill is an evaluation,” said Gunnery Sgt. Scott Chromy, drill master, 1st Recruit Training Battalion. “It tests their discipline and teamwork, as well as their uniforms and hygiene. During the inspection we look at the execution and final product of the movement to make sure it’s all in accordance with the drill manual. Everything is about attention to detail.”
Drill masters are entrusted with the detailed task of performing final drill inspections for all three battalions. Chromy, who has been a drill master for 8 months, shared some advice for the senior drill instructors.
“Being a former drill instructor, I know it’s time consuming,” said Chromy. “Just make the most of your time and utilize every second you have to make progress.”
Every platoon faces different challenges while learning and practicing drill, but Co. A seemed to have overcame those challenges, according to Duncan.
“The company did well. They could’ve done better in appearance but other than that they did real well,” said Chromy. “Plt. 1001 took the company high and Sgt. Pastor Aguirre, Plt. 1005, took the senior drill instructor high.”
Co. A can now put their focus into preparing for the Crucible, now that final drill is complete, which will test all they have learned throughout recruit training, challenge them physically and mentally, and give them their chance to earn the title Marine.