San Diego, Calif. -- Company K drill instructors ran with intensity into squad bays to inspect their recruits standing in formation June 1 aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.
This began Co. K’s Senior Drill Instructor Inspection, a hectic environment where every drill instructor from the company inspects each platoon while the seniors observe.
“This inspection helps seniors see which recruits might be struggling or need extra attention,” said Sgt. Bryce Torrence, senior drill instructor, Platoon 3233, Co. K, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion.
This is Co. K’s recruit’s first inspection since arriving to the depot. They are asked basic Marine Corps knowledge questions, tested on bearing and their weapon cleanliness and their appearance is critiqued. The drill instructors trys to make the inspection stressful by creating a chaotic environment so the recruits have to react fast.
“This inspection makes you think on the fly and adapt and overcome,” said Recruit Timothy Hodapp, Platoon 3233, Co. K, 3rd RTBn. “You don’t have time to think when they ask you questions.”
This is meant to simulate a combat environment, where they won’t have much time to make decisions. Forcing the recruits to think and react fast builds on their confidence, preparing them for when they become Marines.
The recruits have a week to prepare their uniforms and weapons to help ensure they have confidence when a drill instructor steps in front of them. Over the past three weeks recruits have had the chance to obtain Marine Corps knowledge and some confidence.
“Recruit training is always stressful,” said Hodapp, “But the drill instructors kicked it up a notch, which inspired us to be confident when they asked us questions.”
Hodapp was marked down for not remembering his tenth general order and his weapon wasn’t clean enough during the inspection. This teaches the recruits to pay attention to detail for future inspections.
“It’s their initial inspection, the first time they’ve been formally inspected,” said Torrence. “It shows recruits they have the confidence to move on to second phase.”
Co. K will have two more inspections while at recruit training, preparing them for inspections in the fleet with confidence and knowledge.