On
the first day of training, recruits are taught basic marching movements. From
that basic platform, recruits march everywhere they go on base honing their
synchronization and movement as a single unit.
Showing
off their skills, the recruits conduct the initial drill test, and then for the
next 37 training days, practice for a culminating final event.
On
training day 54, Mike Company competed in their final drill evaluation at
Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Nov. 23.
For
recruits and drill instructors, final drill is more about showing improvement
than winning a competition against their peers.
“Final drill is where we put our hard work and
efforts to the test,” said Recruit Tanner J. Olson, Mike Company, 3rd Recruit
Training Battalion. “I felt confident throughout the test. I was nervous until
we stepped on to the parade deck and compete.”
Before
final drill begins, senior drill instructors are instructed to pick one of four
drill cards labeled with a specific set of drill movements he will order his
platoon to perform.
Each
card contains rifle movements such as order arms, port arms, left face, right
face and about face. The platoons also execute different drill maneuvers and
in-place movements.
Drill
masters from each battalion grade the recruits on small details and precision
of each of their movements as they progress through the event.
“We put in the countless training hours as a unit to be able to show up today
and execute every drill movement flawlessly,” said Recruit Matthew D. Amiracltm,
Mike Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion.
Once
recruits are finished with the in-place movements, they continue with the
marching portion. They are judged on areas of alignment, staying in step and
recruit’s personal bearing.
Olson
explained he and his platoon wasn’t worried about their performance because
they were all confident from the training they’ve received from their drill
instructors.
“I
was prepared for any of the drill cards, so I wasn’t nervous about a particular
one,” said Olson. “Our drill instructors believed in us, and we believed in
each other as a unit to accomplish the mission.”
Olson
said his drill instructors made sure they practiced frequently by being very
creative in finding times and places for the recruits to practice drill.
“There
is always time for drill,” said Olson. “We even turn the squad bay in to an
area to practice drill. It paid off today during final drill.”
Although
not every platoon can have the honor of winning the Final Drill competition,
all recruits can take pride in knowing they gave their all.