Marine Corps Recruit Depot

1. I would like to commend you on your assignment to Drill Instructor School.  Drill Instructor duty is a highly demanding duty, but it will no doubt be one of your most rewarding tours.  Know that we will assist you in achieving your goal every step of the way.

I would like to take a moment to offer you some advice on things you can get accomplished prior to your arrival and to ensure that you are compliant on your command screening:

        a. We have seen myriad fitness levels during check-in; do not wait until you get here to get in shape.  If you are not running a high first class PFT prior to your arrival you will be behind your peers.  The most recent graduating DI School class had a Final PFT average of 280.  If you are not in running and hiking shape then start to make a concerted effort to improve your fitness level.  If you are not within height and weight standards then correct that now; do not presume that you will be able to remain in the course until you bring yourself within the standard.  Those out of Marine Corps standards will be immediately dropped from the course for non-compliance.  Expect a PFT and a weigh-in upon arrival.

        b. Have all of your uniforms inspection ready before you get here. You will receive numerous classes on uniform regulations during the course to include classes on how to mark your uniforms.  If your uniforms are not marked, then it is best to wait until you receive instruction from the DI School staff on how to execute this correctly.  Besides this one detail, your uniforms should be clean, serviceable, pressed, and ready for inspection.  I will also point out that Cash Sales aboard MCRD San Diego sells new uniform items at discounted prices.

        c. Take care of all the small things before you arrive at Drill Instructor School.  The curriculum is demanding and you will be challenged.  Outside distractions will affect your ability to focus on your studies while in the school.

        d. Ensure your command screening checklist is accurate.  When you complete your financial checklist be honest in your assessment.  Ensure your annual training requirements are up to date.  Those lacking in this area will be found noncompliant and commands will have to explain to HQMC why you failed to complete your annual training.  If you have received a waiver of any kind, make sure you hand-carry that with you when you check in and attach a copy to your command screening checklist.

        e. Get a complete, current physical; ensure it states “fit for DI duty” on that physical.  The fast-paced curriculum does not afford time to have you properly screened by medical.

        f. Disclose everything to your command during your screening process.  The time to bring up financial hardships and family instability is not here.

        g. Upon your arrival we will conduct a vehicle inspection and make sure you have current/valid insurance and registration. 

        h. I have attached a couple of “teach backs.”  It is beneficial for you to memorize the position of attention prior to your arrival.  You will be expected to recite that movement to one of the instructors verbatim a few days after your arrival.  Take the time now to get ahead.

        i. Study your basic Marine Corps knowledge.  Over 50% of each class fails the first Marine Corps Common Skills test.

2. It is very important to note that on certain nights throughout the training schedule you will be required to stay on base for risk management reasons.  You should discuss the overnight requirements with your loved ones, ahead of time, and make the necessary arrangements as soon as possible.  A list of the nights that you will be required to stay are as follows:

        a. During the first week of training until you are secured to liberty the first weekend.

        b. Every Monday night for field day.

        c. Currently there are two nights and one morning on the schedule in which you will observe recruits undergoing training.  The night before the morning event you will be required to stay on base.

        d. During Recruit Training Observation.  The week prior to graduation, you will spend a week observing recruit training from reveille to taps.

        e. During Basic Warrior Training (BWT) week.  While at Weapons Field Training Battalion aboard Camp Pendleton you will be required to stay on base as you will be observing the crucible.

        f. The night prior to the five-mile and eight-mile hike aboard MCAS Miramar.

        g. Exact dates will be available upon check-in, when you receive a copy of the training schedule.

3. This letter is intended to allow you to be as prepared and as successful as possible. Those of you that take the time to mentally and physically prepare yourself before your arrival will have a definite advantage over your peers.  We look forward to working with each and every one of you.  If you have any questions or concerns contact the Chief Instructor at (619) 524-4417.

Semper Fidelis,
B.W. RICHARDSON

Drill Instructor School conducts numerous Programs of Instruction (POI), including the Military Occupational Speciality (MOS) producing Drill Instructor Course (MOS 0911), the Series Commander Course (for newly reporting company grade officers), the Chief Drill Instructor Course, the Senior Drill Instructor Course, the Prior Drill Instructor Course, and the Company Commander's Course. 

The following is the syllabus for the Drill Instructor Course:
a.  Scope.  The scope and concept of the Drill Instructor School training sysllabus is four-fold:

(1)  First and foremost,  it is a LEADERSHIP SCHOOL.  Although an initial, comprehensive review of the basic leadership skills is provided, the focus is on the further devlopment of the student's (NCO/SNCO) leadership abilities and potential.  The main effort converges on the concepts of positive, concerned and ethical leadership.
(2)  Second,  it is designed to provide the student with a thorough knowledge of those basic military subjects covered in recruit training.
(3)  Third,  it gives the student a thorough knowledge of the directives, regulations and procedures governing recruit training.
(4)  Fourth,  it physically prepares the student to lead his recruites during daily physical training periods. 

b.  Academic Subjects
(1)  Leadership Program.   Designed to further develop the student's practical leadership abilities and broaden their perspectives.  This will prepare them for the challeges of recruit training, and other challenges they will encounter throughout their careers.
    
(2)  Close Order Drill (COD).   The training in this sub-course is designed to develop within each student the knowledge, ability and confidence to teach any aspect of close order drill in precise detail.  Additionally, students are instructed in sword manual, command voice, cadence, parades, and ceremonies.  Student progress is evaluated by practical application evaluations, oral presentations and a written final examination of the entire sub-course. Teachbacks/Drill Commands

(3) Values Based Training (VBT).   The training in this sub-course is designed to teach the student how to develop within recruites our Core Values of Honor, Courage and Commitment.  This is accomplished through guided discussions,  physical training, classes, and the Crucible.  Students not only experience this event in the same manner recruits do, but they are also taught how to lead recruits through the Crucible.

(4) Standing Operating Procedures (SOP for Recruit Training).   This instruction provides the student with knowledge of the training, organizational orders, and policies governing the conduct and supervision of recruit training.

(5)  Physical Training (PT)
         
         (a)  Physical fitness and physical training is one of the most visible illustrations of leadership by example.  Accordingly, your preparation in becoming a Drill Instructor must be designed to ensure confidence through endurance and agility.  The conditioning program at Drill Instructor School is designed to develop the four components of physical fitness:  strength, endurance, agility and coordination.  Furthermore, the program familiarizes the student with the recruit physical training program.  To evaluate the student's progress, the Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test and Combat Fitness Tests are administered two times each.  Although the school's  PT  program design is progressive in nature, it is in your best interest to report to DI School in a high first class PFT condition.  Any students who runs over 23:00 minutes on the 3 mile run, achieves less then 10 pull-ups, or 80 crun crunches on the initial PFT will be placed on the Remedial PT program.

        (b)  Students are required to maintain a minimum 8:00 minute per mile pace on all individual and formation runs. Recommended PT Program

(6)   Marine Corps Common Skills (MCCS).   This sub-course presents a review of military subjects the students, as Drill Instructors, will teach or assist in teaching with a recruit platoon.

(7)  Basic Warrior Training (BWT).   Training in this area provides the students with the basic knowledge of field skills.  This training will be conducted during the one week spent at Weapons & Field Training Battalion (WFTBN) which is located at Camp Pendleton, California.  Student progress is evaluated by practical appliation periods and a written final examination of the entrie course.

 (8) Uniforms.
          
         (a)  Students reporting to Drill Instructor School must have their basic military issue as set forth in the most current version of Marine Corps Bulletin 10120 (Individual Clothing Allowances). Refer to this bulletin for information concerning uniform changes and requirements. All clothing must be serviceable (that is, no frayed collars or cuffs; no spots or mending on any part of the uniform) and clothing must fit properly. You will receive numerous classes on uniform regulations during the course to include classes on how to mark your uniforms. If your uniforms are not marked, then it is best to wait until you receive instruction from the DI School staff on how to do this the right way. Besides that, your uniforms should be clean, serviceable, pressed and ready for inspection. Cash Sales aboard MCRD San Diego sells new uniform items at discounted prices.

         (b) Upon graduation, new DIs receive a full issue of good quality “Organizational Property” (OP) khaki shirts (long and short sleeve). In addition, DIs receive free dry cleaning service for all OP uniforms. That said, it is highly recommended that students own a minimum of one khaki short sleeve shirt and one khaki long sleeve shirt that are of the Creighton/Great Northern type for use during DI School. All personnel aboard MCRD San Diego wear the seasonal service uniform each Friday and on most Thursdays. Class Materials

         (c) Daily Routine. A normal daily routine for the students attending Drill Instructor School is as follows:


ROUTINE TIME
Reveille/Expiration of Liberty/Morning Meal
Formation/Class Muster/Morining BDR
0630
 
Instruction/PT
0700
 
Noon Meal  (50 minutes)
 1200
 
Instruction
1300
 
Completion of Class/Clean-up
1700

Liberty Call/Safety Brief/Evening Meal
1730
 
Liberty/Student Prep Time
 
TBD
 
NOTE:   This schedule is subject to change due to training requirements.

HISTORY OF DRILL INSTRUCTOR SCHOOL
MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT, SAN DIEGO

Prior to the conception of the recruit depots and Drill Instructor Schools, Noncommissioned Officers at the various posts and stations trained newly joined Marine recruits in the "principles of military movements" and the use of the rifle.  The quality of training was as varied as the number of bases and Noncommissioned Officers.  In 1911, Major General William Biddle, 11^th Commandant of the Marine such training was inadequate and established the first centralized recruit depots at Norfolk, Va.; Philadelphia; Mare Island, Calif. and Puget Sound, Wash.  By 1915, East Coast recruit training was centralized at MCRD Parris Island, S.C.  In 1923, MCRD San Diego assumed the duties as sole recruit depot for the West Coast.

During World War II, the Drill Instructor Schools were first established at both depots, but shortages of Drill Instructors needed to train the influx of new recruits forced the schedule to cover only a couple of weeks.  In 1947, academic instructors were added to supplement the staff at the schools and the training syllabus was expanded to ten weeks.

During the Korean War, recruit training was once again in high gear and Drill Instructor School was reduced to 3 1/2 weeks.  Exceptionally qualified Privates First Class were admitted to the school until 1954 when enrollment was restricted to Noncommissioned Officers.

Today, Drill Instructor School strives to be the premier leadership school in the Marine Corps.  It encompasses over 500 hours of academics, physical training and practical applications over an 11-week course.  Not only are students given a thorough review of all military skills, but they are acquainted with an intensive indoctrination in the conduct, regulations, and procedures governing recruit training.  The students also undergo a comprehensive leadership package that includes time management, communication skills, and counseling.  Squad instructors continuously evaluate and counsel their respective students to ensure maximum performance.

HISTORY OF THE CAMPAIGN COVER

The introduction of the pre-World War II campaign or field hat worn by Drill Instructors today originated during an advisory council meeting in 1956. Senior Noncommissioned Officers strongly recommended the adoption of better "headgear" for DIs.

At that time, the khaki barracks cap had a bill, but didn't shade the eyes. The soft khaki garrison cap didn't have a bill, and the green herringbone cape worn with the field uniform was also inadequate in the summer sun. The pith helmet was a practical alternative for wear in the hot Carolina summer. It was cool and its wide brim provided good shade for the eyes and neck. It later became the hat used by marksmanship instructors at the rifle range.

Further study indicated that the field hat was the item most preferred by DIs. It shaded the neck and eyes well, but did not keep the head as cool as the pith helmet. The field hat was a bit of tradition going back to the "Old Corps" or pre-World War II days. It also was more suitable for year-round wear than the pith helmet. By early June 1956, the Depot had requisitioned 1,000 field hats for delivery on Sept. 1, 1956, but General Wallace M. Greene Jr., wanted to order 700 hats immediately. On Saturday, July 21, 1956 at 7:30 a.m. all 603 drill instructors of the recruit training command obtained their new hats.

FEMALE DRILL INSTRUCTORS AUTHORIZED TO WEAR "SMOKEY"

The Commandant of the Marine Corps announced on Sept. 13, 1996, that all female Drill Instructors were authorized to wear the previously male-only "Smokey" field hat. The commandant's decision has answered the frequently asked question, "Why not?" It was first asked in 1976 when the first females graduated from DI School and again in 1983 when female DIs began wearing the scarlet shoulder cord. During their Sept. 26, 1996 graduation ceremony, female DI School graduates were issued field hats. A cord retirement ceremony took place Oct. 2, 1996, after which female DIs ceased wearing the scarlet cord and began wearing the cover. The commandant, General Charles C. Krulak, was on hand for the event.

The final scarlet shoulder cord, the previous symbol of a female DI, was placed in the Parris Island Museum. Marines that wear the field hat, the campaign cover or the "Smokey" and train Marine Corps recruits must train recruits by the Drill Instructor Creed. The Creed was written in 1956 by Drill Instructors for Drill Instructors.

DRILL INSTRUCTOR CREED

"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 standard of personal conduct, morality and professional skill."

DRILL INSTRUCTOR CREED

"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 standard of personal conduct, morality and professional skill."

HONORS 

DRILL INSTRUCTOR SCHOOL,
MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT
SAN DIEGO,  CALIFORNIA

MERITORIOUS UNIT COMMENDATION STREAMER
WITH TWO BRONZE STARS 

1987 - 1989
1989 - 1991
1996 - 1997

AMERICAN CAMPAIGN STREAMER
1942 - 1946
 
WORLD WAR II VICTORY STREAMER
1942 - 1946
 
NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE STREAMMER
WITH THREE BRONZE STARS 
1950 - 1954
1960 - 1974
1990 - 1995
2002 - TBD

The mission of the Series Commander Course (SCC) is to train, educate, and introduce newly assigned company grade officers with the basic knowledge and skills to successfully perform the duties as a series commander within the Recruit Training Regiment (RTR). The Assistant Director of Drill Instructor School serves as the primary instructor for the SCC and coordinates the development and accomplishment of the training schedule. The SCC is two weeks in length and consists of ten training days. The frequency of courses is determined by class size and the need of the RTR.

The SCC is an evolving course that is guided by the fluidity of recruit training and the subsequent guidance of the Commanding Officer, RTR. The course consists of introduction and orientation to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, guided discussions, classes, close order drill, physical training, recruit training observation, practical applications, and briefs from agencies that support the mission of RTR. The preponderance of the course is spent covering the Standing Operations Procedures for Recruit Training (SOP) and lessons learned through experiences and case studies. The information and training covered in the course is vital to successfully performing the duties of a series commander. Graduation from the course is a requirement by Marine Corps Order 1510.32_.

Each SCC is time intensive and demanding. In addition to normal training hours, students will receive home work assignments in the form of reading, speech memorization, and uniform preparation. Due to the concentrated nature of each course, the following recommendations are given in order to assist preparations:

• Have your personal affairs in order. It is imperative that all billeting, TMO, and personal issues are taken care of before or after the course.
• Arrive prepared for rigorous PT; leadership by example is essential for your success.
• Bring at least two sets of combat utilities (desert and woodland MARPAT) and all service and dress uniforms ensuring proper fit and appearance to include barracks and garrison covers; you are guaranteed to wear them.
• Bring your sword and all its trappings (service belt, frog, sling, knot, etc.); ceremonial participation is a way of life aboard the Depot.
• Bring an open mind and a positive attitude; recruit training is a dynamic and demanding process for all involved.

To graduate from the course the student must demonstrate mastery (80%) in the following areas: SOP certification consisting of a 70 question multiple choice exam, SCC certification consisting of a 25 question short answer exam, drill evaluation, speech evaluation, Camp Pendleton range safety officer certification, CPR certification and execution of the obstacle course, confidence course, combat fitness test, and physical fitness test.

Questions concerning the administration, content, and/or instruction of the SCC can contact the Assistant Director of Drill Instructor School at (DSN) 524-4414, or commercial (619) 524-4414.