Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego -- Recruits of Company F, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, experienced their first senior drill instructor inspection aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Aug. 23.
The purpose of the inspection is to provide drill instructors an opportunity to test recruits in multiple areas, including their uniforms.
“It’s the recruits first inspection, an intro, that gets them ready for future inspections,” said Sgt. Kyle A. Ford, drill instructor, Platoon 2127. “This inspection is a more one-on-one setting that allows us to test recruits on their knowledge and appearance.”
On paper, the inspection may seem like a simple and easy process, however, the senior drill instructor inspection is far from it. The inspection consists of drill instructors yelling, questioning recruits on basic knowledge and watching to see if they maintain their bearing.
“I saw a lot of us lose bearing because we were really nervous,” said Recruit Christian E. DeLeon, an Olathe, Kan. native. “We weren’t expecting it to be so rough; having drill instructors in our face yelling and screaming.”
This was a real culture shock for some recruits as they’ve never been screamed at or had been tested in this type of situation, explained Ford.
Drill instructors stress the importance of the small details, whether it be with their uniform or knowledge.
“Once recruits get to second phase the attention to detail becomes critical being out in the field,” said Ford, a San Antonio native. “This helps give us an awareness of who is picking it up and who is not.”
Recruits received a taste of what will be required of them for inspections they will have over the remainder of recruit training and the Fleet Marine Force. One of those inspections is the battalion commander’s inspection, which is a graduation requirement for recruits.
“You must be able to follow directions and look like a proper Marine,” said DeLeon. “This has helped us be better prepared for our company commander and battalion commander inspections as we’ll know what to expect now.”
Though the inspection was chaotic, recruits came out with a lesson learned that they will be able to apply to recruit training, the Fleet Marine Force and to combat.
“Bearing and confidence are critical elements for what Marines do,” said Ford. “We need it in everything we do in combat; when rounds are coming down on you and you’re looking for your leadership to steer you through it.”