This is great…. I was at Nicks promotion today to CWO3 in Hawaii! I don’t think I’ve ever been able to relate more. I was a high school drop out. I was a drill instructor at India company MCRD SD 15-18. Had a tough time due to just doing things MY way and not the right way. I got an adverse fitness report after the drill field. STILL got selected and am now a Warrant Officer getting ready to head back to Pendleton. And Armando Arroyo that he mentions is my neighbor!! Great Podcast guys!!
My dad was a DI at San Diego from 65-69, 1st Bn. We lived across the street from MCRD in navy housing. I use to watch him ride his bike to work, or watch him snap in with his M-14 at home! But when he was at home, he was able to be our dad which was awesome. He would be out posting one plt and get that midnight call saying his new “heard” was ready for him. I’ve had the opportunity to meet some of his recruits. They spoke highly of him and I tried to emulate him during my 21 years in the Corps. It was very difficult at first because I would run into Marines that knew him and would ask, “why aren’t you like your dad.” I went to Sea Duty for 2.5 years to get away from Pendleton and the constant questioning. I retired as a W3 and my dad would tell me how proud he was of me. It was the other way around. Thanks for sharing and Semper Fidelis.
I agree with Albert, command presence is huge. I retired from the reserves 16 years ago and I still have people ask me if I am a Marine. How you carry yourself goes along way. Great interview with a leader!
My son went to MCRD for boot camp. He was an Admin from 2015-2019. He went through a bad marriage to a person who was addicted to drugs and he had no support from his leadership. I was in the military for 14 years, retired law enforcement as a Police Chief. I went out to support him for several months. I seen first hand the lack of support he had received from his leadership and that is disappointing since he wanted to be a Marine since he was five years old. He loved the Marines was amazing talented at his job, he was on funeral detail and while at MCRD I’m guessing he did over couple hundred funerals. I’m sure had he not had the bad experience at MCRD would have re-enlisted.
Not sure what a Drill master is but when but when I was in charge of Large RSS. I had a SSgt report in to work for me in my RSS. He was a squared away Marine but did not last over 6 Months on recruiting duty.
I thank Albert, Nick, and the Bull for this podcast. I am assuming Albert & the Bull are out of the Marines. I am sure, as poscast hosts, you guys are open to feedback. Nick, I strongly believe you were too in a hurry to move up in rank. Experience is key to understanding your job in the Marines or any other service branch. You wanting to be a DI makes me see you as wanting the authority over recruits. The Marine Corps is an unusual military. It is almost like a religion. You bend or break a rule, you have sinned. You may be shunned out of the Marines. I did four years as an 0311, three Westpacs, Squad Leadership Course and Jungle Training Course & got my honorable discharge. This was before you guys, mid 1980s. One month before my separation I was finally promoted to Corporal. I had more experience than many others but treated everyone equally, including new members. I never kissed up to anyone but did see some do so. Many Marines have an andrenaline for power, not healthy. Nick pace yourself. Marines who have done more and have been in longer, are & have been trying. Lastly, give Alberto some time to comment & say what he would like to express more fully. He kept getting cut off.
I was a Hat 84-86, B Co, 1st Bn, PISC. I was a 22 year old Corporal when I attended DI School. Spent a total of 30 days during the 2 years suspended/5 investigations, received NJP, still had a successful tour, became a WO-CWO3, Captain and retired as a Major. My thoughts on being a DI: New DI’s/3rd Hats are treated no better than the guide. DI’s who insisted on following the rules were often Black Balled. My first day on the job I was sent to the third deck to fill in for a third hat who was sick, walking through the head I encountered a Gunny wearing a black belt thrashing about 20 recruits in the head (which I knew was against the rules), I quickly found out that he was the Company Ops Chief playing guest SDI. I eventually met the actual SDI, I think I went in the house 3 times on my first day and told the SDI that I didn’t want to go to jail my day on the job. He kept saying “don’t worry about it”. That’s when I realized that I had to decide to either be a team player or be the DI nobody wanted to work with…I joined the team.
I was a Hat 84-86, B Co, 1st Bn, PISC. I was a 22 year old Corporal when I attended DI School. Spent a total of 30 days suspended/5 investigations, received NJP, still had a successful tour, became a WO-CWO3, Captain and retired as a Major. My thoughts on being a DI: New DI’s/3rd Hats are treated no better than the guide. DI’s who insisted on following the rules were often Black Balled. My day on the job I was sent to the third deck to fill in for a third hat who was sick, walking through the head I encountered a Gunny wearing a black belt thrashing about 20 recruits in the head (which I knew was against the rules), I quickly found out that he was the Company Ops Chief playing guest SDI. I eventually met the actual SDI, I think I went in the house 3 times on my first day and told the SDI that I didn’t want to go to jail my day on the job. He kept saying “don’t worry about it”. That’s when I realized that I had to decide to either be a team player or be the DI nobody wanted to work with…I joined the team.
@@Marine_Ret I have to disagree with what you witnessed in the bathroom. If the Company Ops Chief wasn't assigned to a drill instructor position, he had no right to exert his authority to make others submissive. You joined the club not because some acts were unethical or wrong, but so you wouldn't be an outcast.
@@d.rcarrera6599 You disagreeing with what I witnessed doesn’t make sense considering you weren’t there. The Ops Chief did what he did, I knew it was a violation of the SOP and I assume he knew it was a violation. As for my decision to join the club, in this context, being Blackballed means the same thing as being an outcast.
@@d.rcarrera6599 BTW, completing a successful tour as Hat with only 5 years in service was a great career move. Even with an NJP I went on to SSgt, CWO3, and retired as a Major with zero regrets.
@@Marine_Ret Try to read and understand what I wrote outside of your experience. Look at the situation or what you went through from someone else's perspective. Trashing recruits in the bathroom that is against the rules of ethical is wrong, then let's not pretend it is ethical. Being blackballed or outcast no one wants. But when something is wrong, find a way to either change it or get out of there. Right before I graduated from MCRD, an sister platoon DI beat up a recruit. No, it wasn't going to be swept under the rug. The DI was reported. I am also sure the parents weren't going to play stupid and ignore what had happened. The Marines has its own closed culture. In recruit training, we were taught we were better than all other services. Why? Please don't buy into the BS. What you witnessed was wrong but you had to make yourself adapt to the environment. If you would have requested to transfer to the infantry then the paper trail would follow and hurt your career opportunities. This is an example of a closed off mindset. You could have been seen as the bad guy or not playing by a their rules. Having the chance to be a DI, certain people genuinely want it for the good reasons, to instruct or teach; others have an andrenaline for power and authority. We had a racist and alcoholic Marine who was verbally insulting other Marines of Mexican ancestry. I told him he was wrong and out of line. Then, he lunged and hit me. I returned the favor and send his ass to the floor. Next day, out CO gets wind of a fight and tells me I should control myself, basically blaming me. I regretted not telling him he had a Marine making racist remarks towards certain other Marines. It was my obligation to do so. I was also fully aware that my CO, Capt. Kelly, was going to greatly minimize the situation. I knew then and there I was not staying in the Marines. The racist and alcoholic Marine was kicked out.
@@d.rcarrera6599 Bro, I read what you wrote in response to my comment about my first day as a Hat - 40 years ago! Your second response reads as though you are lecturing me on ethics and what I should have done 40 years ago. I had a great career, you obviously didn’t and appear bitter about your experience. Get a grip!
Those of us ordered (selected) to attend DI School were not the top 10%. My class started with 135, 85 graduated. The 85 that graduated included a few goofballs who didn’t fit the image of a DI. When I appeared in front of the DI School Screening Team at Lejeune, one of SgtMaj’s asked me “son why should we let be a DI, you probably don’t even know what guard mail is” (I didn’t know what guard mail was). I had 2 years and 9 months time in service when I showed up at DI School, I didn’t even have a GCM. I’ve always said that during DI School PT the Gunny’s were running our dicks in the dirt so hard that we used to look for rocks to twist our ankles on.
Speaking of space jam monster, I went through 10Nov93 2nd Bn Hotel. On pick up, out steps Senior Di Sgt. Irving from Compton Ca… my first impression was God I’m gonna get killed. He ended up pushing me to catch and pass up fools on final pft run. He was in my ear saying catch that fucker pass that fucker.
Bobby comes from an old comedian named bob Newhart and drill instructors named it bob newhat because new hats do some funny stuff. Bobby is just a shorten version of it
Hi Albert and Barry, I am a veteran Corporal MP Gulf Water currently Paymaster for the Department of Ohio Marine Corps League. Can you address the problem Marines have the Marine Corps League? Why it so hard to get young Marine veterans? What can we do to make it more attractive to them any suggestions? Big fan of your podcast!Thank you, Semper Fi 🦅🌎⚓️
How you made it at 29 Palms is beyond me. We trained there for like a month. It was in October and I don't think anyone in my company liked the place. At Camp Pendleton, we were surrounded by mountains, at Camp Horno but were about a 30-40 ride out of base. I was in Colorado in June and met an Army National Guard who was in the Marines at 29 Palms. He was trained through the Army aviation mechanics and was being sent to another school.
From my understanding… bobby came from a new hat bobbing his head left and right since they have no idea what theyre mainly looking for in the plan of the day.
The term 'Bobby' for new drill instructors at MCRD San Diego is a playful nickname for newcomers, emphasizing the learning phase they go through before becoming seasoned instructors.
I was a Hat 84-86, B Co, 1st Bn, PISC. I was a 22 year old Corporal when I attended DI School. Spent a total of 30 days suspended/5 investigations, received NJP, still had a successful tour, became a WO-CWO3, Captain and retired as a Major. My thoughts on being a DI: New DI’s/3rd Hats are treated no better than the guide. DI’s who insisted on following the rules were often Black Balled. My day on the job I was sent to the third deck to fill in for a third hat who was sick, walking through the head I encountered a Gunny wearing a black belt thrashing about 20 recruits in the head (which I knew was against the rules), I quickly found out that he was the Company Ops Chief playing guest SDI. I eventually met the actual SDI, I think I went in the house 3 times on my first day and told the SDI that I didn’t want to go to jail my day on the job. He kept saying “don’t worry about it”. That’s when I realized that I had to decide to either be a team player or be the DI nobody wanted to work with…I joined the team.
Those of us ordered (selected) to attend DI School were not the top 10%. My class started with 135, 85 graduated. The 85 that graduated included a few goofballs who didn’t fit the image of a DI. When I appeared in front of the DI School Screening Team at Lejeune, one of SgtMaj’s asked me “son why should we let be a DI, you probably don’t even know what guard mail is” (I didn’t know what guard mail was). I had 2 years and 9 months time in service when I showed up at DI School, I didn’t even have a GCM. I’ve always said that during DI School PT the Gunny’s were running our dicks in the dirt so hard that we used to look for rocks to twist our ankles on.
I was a Hat 84-86, B Co, 1st Bn, PISC. I was a 22 year old Corporal when I attended DI School. Spent a total of 30 days suspended/5 investigations, received NJP, still had a successful tour, became a WO-CWO3, Captain and retired as a Major. My thoughts on being a DI: New DI’s/3rd Hats are treated no better than the guide. DI’s who insisted on following the rules were often Black Balled. My day on the job I was sent to the third deck to fill in for a third hat who was sick, walking through the head I encountered a Gunny wearing a black belt thrashing about 20 recruits in the head (which I knew was against the rules), I quickly found out that he was the Company Ops Chief playing guest SDI. I eventually met the actual SDI, I think I went in the house 3 times on my first day and told the SDI that I didn’t want to go to jail my day on the job. He kept saying “don’t worry about it”. That’s when I realized that I had to decide to either be a team player or be the DI nobody wanted to work with…I joined the team.
I was a Hat 84-86, B Co, 1st Bn, PISC. I was a 22 year old Corporal when I attended DI School. Spent a total of 30 days suspended/5 investigations, received NJP, still had a successful tour, became a WO-CWO3, Captain and retired as a Major. My thoughts on being a DI: New DI’s/3rd Hats are treated no better than the guide. DI’s who insisted on following the rules were often Black Balled. My day on the job I was sent to the third deck to fill in for a third hat who was sick, walking through the head I encountered a Gunny wearing a black belt thrashing about 20 recruits in the head (which I knew was against the rules), I quickly found out that he was the Company Ops Chief playing guest SDI. I eventually met the actual SDI, I think I went in the house 3 times on my first day and told the SDI that I didn’t want to go to jail my day on the job. He kept saying “don’t worry about it”. That’s when I realized that I had to decide to either be a team player or be the DI nobody wanted to work with…I joined the team.
This is great…. I was at Nicks promotion today to CWO3 in Hawaii!
I don’t think I’ve ever been able to relate more.
I was a high school drop out.
I was a drill instructor at India company MCRD SD 15-18. Had a tough time due to just doing things MY way and not the right way.
I got an adverse fitness report after the drill field.
STILL got selected and am now a Warrant Officer getting ready to head back to Pendleton.
And Armando Arroyo that he mentions is my neighbor!!
Great Podcast guys!!
Hit us up brother! Would love to have you on the podcast.
My dad was a DI at San Diego from 65-69, 1st Bn. We lived across the street from MCRD in navy housing. I use to watch him ride his bike to work, or watch him snap in with his M-14 at home! But when he was at home, he was able to be our dad which was awesome. He would be out posting one plt and get that midnight call saying his new “heard” was ready for him. I’ve had the opportunity to meet some of his recruits. They spoke highly of him and I tried to emulate him during my 21 years in the Corps. It was very difficult at first because I would run into Marines that knew him and would ask, “why aren’t you like your dad.” I went to Sea Duty for 2.5 years to get away from Pendleton and the constant questioning. I retired as a W3 and my dad would tell me how proud he was of me. It was the other way around. Thanks for sharing and Semper Fidelis.
This is one of your best VID's, SgtMajor broke down and told some of his history. Semper Fi , SgtMajor
I agree with Albert, command presence is huge. I retired from the reserves 16 years ago and I still have people ask me if I am a Marine. How you carry yourself goes along way. Great interview with a leader!
My son went to MCRD for boot camp. He was an Admin from 2015-2019. He went through a bad marriage to a person who was addicted to drugs and he had no support from his leadership. I was in the military for 14 years, retired law enforcement as a Police Chief. I went out to support him for several months. I seen first hand the lack of support he had received from his leadership and that is disappointing since he wanted to be a Marine since he was five years old. He loved the Marines was amazing talented at his job, he was on funeral detail and while at MCRD I’m guessing he did over couple hundred funerals. I’m sure had he not had the bad experience at MCRD would have re-enlisted.
Friday afternoon hitting the gym watching the podcast it’s a good day😎
Thank you for your support. You gonna the swole listening to this podcast 💪💪
Not sure what a Drill master is but when but when I was in charge of Large RSS. I had a SSgt report in to work for me in my RSS. He was a squared away Marine but did not last over 6 Months on recruiting duty.
I’m a Navy warrant officer and I’m loving the pod cast! Keep it up!
This was great. Marine GySgt here. Would love to get on the POD if you guys are every in the Pax River area.
We are in SoCal! When are you PCSing over here?!
This was such a good video to watch as someone who retired from the marine corps a year ago
I thank Albert, Nick, and the Bull for this podcast. I am assuming Albert & the Bull are out of the Marines. I am sure, as poscast hosts, you guys are open to feedback. Nick, I strongly believe you were too in a hurry to move up in rank. Experience is key to understanding your job in the Marines or any other service branch. You wanting to be a DI makes me see you as wanting the authority over recruits. The Marine Corps is an unusual military. It is almost like a religion. You bend or break a rule, you have sinned. You may be shunned out of the Marines. I did four years as an 0311, three Westpacs, Squad Leadership Course and Jungle Training Course & got my honorable discharge. This was before you guys, mid 1980s. One month before my separation I was finally promoted to Corporal. I had more experience than many others but treated everyone equally, including new members. I never kissed up to anyone but did see some do so. Many Marines have an andrenaline for power, not healthy. Nick pace yourself. Marines who have done more and have been in longer, are & have been trying. Lastly, give Alberto some time to comment & say what he would like to express more fully. He kept getting cut off.
I was Charlie Company when I was in boot camp. 1990 San Diego.
I was a Hat 84-86, B Co, 1st Bn, PISC. I was a 22 year old Corporal when I attended DI School. Spent a total of 30 days during the 2 years suspended/5 investigations, received NJP, still had a successful tour, became a WO-CWO3, Captain and retired as a Major. My thoughts on being a DI: New DI’s/3rd Hats are treated no better than the guide. DI’s who insisted on following the rules were often Black Balled. My first day on the job I was sent to the third deck to fill in for a third hat who was sick, walking through the head I encountered a Gunny wearing a black belt thrashing about 20 recruits in the head (which I knew was against the rules), I quickly found out that he was the Company Ops Chief playing guest SDI. I eventually met the actual SDI, I think I went in the house 3 times on my first day and told the SDI that I didn’t want to go to jail my day on the job. He kept saying “don’t worry about it”. That’s when I realized that I had to decide to either be a team player or be the DI nobody wanted to work with…I joined the team.
I was a Hat 84-86, B Co, 1st Bn, PISC. I was a 22 year old Corporal when I attended DI School. Spent a total of 30 days suspended/5 investigations, received NJP, still had a successful tour, became a WO-CWO3, Captain and retired as a Major. My thoughts on being a DI: New DI’s/3rd Hats are treated no better than the guide. DI’s who insisted on following the rules were often Black Balled. My day on the job I was sent to the third deck to fill in for a third hat who was sick, walking through the head I encountered a Gunny wearing a black belt thrashing about 20 recruits in the head (which I knew was against the rules), I quickly found out that he was the Company Ops Chief playing guest SDI. I eventually met the actual SDI, I think I went in the house 3 times on my first day and told the SDI that I didn’t want to go to jail my day on the job. He kept saying “don’t worry about it”. That’s when I realized that I had to decide to either be a team player or be the DI nobody wanted to work with…I joined the team.
@@Marine_Ret I have to disagree with what you witnessed in the bathroom. If the Company Ops Chief wasn't assigned to a drill instructor position, he had no right to exert his authority to make others submissive. You joined the club not because some acts were unethical or wrong, but so you wouldn't be an outcast.
@@d.rcarrera6599 You disagreeing with what I witnessed doesn’t make sense considering you weren’t there. The Ops Chief did what he did, I knew it was a violation of the SOP and I assume he knew it was a violation. As for my decision to join the club, in this context, being Blackballed means the same thing as being an outcast.
@@d.rcarrera6599 BTW, completing a successful tour as Hat with only 5 years in service was a great career move. Even with an NJP I went on to SSgt, CWO3, and retired as a Major with zero regrets.
@@Marine_Ret
Try to read and understand what I wrote outside of your experience. Look at the situation or what you went through from someone else's perspective. Trashing recruits in the bathroom that is against the rules of ethical is wrong, then let's not pretend it is ethical. Being blackballed or outcast no one wants. But when something is wrong, find a way to either change it or get out of there. Right before I graduated from MCRD, an sister platoon DI beat up a recruit. No, it wasn't going to be swept under the rug. The DI was reported. I am also sure the parents weren't going to play stupid and ignore what had happened.
The Marines has its own closed culture. In recruit training, we were taught we were better than all other services. Why? Please don't buy into the BS.
What you witnessed was wrong but you had to make yourself adapt to the environment. If you would have requested to transfer to the infantry then the paper trail would follow and hurt your career opportunities. This is an example of a closed off mindset. You could have been seen as the bad guy or not playing by a their rules. Having the chance to be a DI, certain people genuinely want it for the good reasons, to instruct or teach; others have an andrenaline for power and authority.
We had a racist and alcoholic Marine who was verbally insulting other Marines of Mexican ancestry. I told him he was wrong and out of line. Then, he lunged and hit me. I returned the favor and send his ass to the floor. Next day, out CO gets wind of a fight and tells me I should control myself, basically blaming me. I regretted not telling him he had a Marine making racist remarks towards certain other Marines. It was my obligation to do so. I was also fully aware that my CO, Capt. Kelly, was going to greatly minimize the situation. I knew then and there I was not staying in the Marines. The racist and alcoholic Marine was kicked out.
@@d.rcarrera6599 Bro, I read what you wrote in response to my comment about my first day as a Hat - 40 years ago! Your second response reads as though you are lecturing me on ethics and what I should have done 40 years ago. I had a great career, you obviously didn’t and appear bitter about your experience. Get a grip!
Those of us ordered (selected) to attend DI School were not the top 10%. My class started with 135, 85 graduated. The 85 that graduated included a few goofballs who didn’t fit the image of a DI. When I appeared in front of the DI School Screening Team at Lejeune, one of SgtMaj’s asked me “son why should we let be a DI, you probably don’t even know what guard mail is” (I didn’t know what guard mail was). I had 2 years and 9 months time in service when I showed up at DI School, I didn’t even have a GCM. I’ve always said that during DI School PT the Gunny’s were running our dicks in the dirt so hard that we used to look for rocks to twist our ankles on.
Speaking of space jam monster, I went through 10Nov93 2nd Bn Hotel.
On pick up, out steps Senior Di Sgt. Irving from Compton Ca… my first impression was God I’m gonna get killed.
He ended up pushing me to catch and pass up fools on final pft run.
He was in my ear saying catch that fucker pass that fucker.
Bobby comes from an old comedian named bob Newhart and drill instructors named it bob newhat because new hats do some funny stuff. Bobby is just a shorten version of it
We have different meanings in the comments.
Hi Albert and Barry,
I am a veteran Corporal MP Gulf Water currently Paymaster for the Department of Ohio Marine Corps League. Can you address the problem Marines have the Marine Corps League? Why it so hard to get young Marine veterans? What can we do to make it more attractive to them any suggestions? Big fan of your podcast!Thank you, Semper Fi 🦅🌎⚓️
Hi Amy. Contact us via email and let’s talk. I want to understand your questions more in depth. Thanks!
Hi from Twentynine palms gentlemen
How you made it at 29 Palms is beyond me. We trained there for like a month. It was in October and I don't think anyone in my company liked the place. At Camp Pendleton, we were surrounded by mountains, at Camp Horno but were about a 30-40 ride out of base. I was in Colorado in June and met an Army National Guard who was in the Marines at 29 Palms. He was trained through the Army aviation mechanics and was being sent to another school.
From my understanding… bobby came from a new hat bobbing his head left and right since they have no idea what theyre mainly looking for in the plan of the day.
We have different meanings in the comments.
The term 'Bobby' for new drill instructors at MCRD San Diego is a playful nickname for newcomers, emphasizing the learning phase they go through before becoming seasoned instructors.
We have different meanings in the comments.
I'm in V37 in Twentynine palms
The MLB GOAT REMAINS Matt carpentar
That’s awesome to get picked from Staff Sgt. to Warrant Officer , congratulations and Semper Fi.
Didn't we just see this episode last week? Are you guys hurting for subscribers? I'd be happy to spread your info out on social media.
Man. You had be second guessing myself 😂 it was a two part episode. Same same but different
But yes, still share the podcast on social media.
You never realize how screwed some officers are until you become one. 🫡
~LDO Major Retired
I was a Hat 84-86, B Co, 1st Bn, PISC. I was a 22 year old Corporal when I attended DI School. Spent a total of 30 days suspended/5 investigations, received NJP, still had a successful tour, became a WO-CWO3, Captain and retired as a Major. My thoughts on being a DI: New DI’s/3rd Hats are treated no better than the guide. DI’s who insisted on following the rules were often Black Balled. My day on the job I was sent to the third deck to fill in for a third hat who was sick, walking through the head I encountered a Gunny wearing a black belt thrashing about 20 recruits in the head (which I knew was against the rules), I quickly found out that he was the Company Ops Chief playing guest SDI. I eventually met the actual SDI, I think I went in the house 3 times on my first day and told the SDI that I didn’t want to go to jail my day on the job. He kept saying “don’t worry about it”. That’s when I realized that I had to decide to either be a team player or be the DI nobody wanted to work with…I joined the team.
Those of us ordered (selected) to attend DI School were not the top 10%. My class started with 135, 85 graduated. The 85 that graduated included a few goofballs who didn’t fit the image of a DI. When I appeared in front of the DI School Screening Team at Lejeune, one of SgtMaj’s asked me “son why should we let be a DI, you probably don’t even know what guard mail is” (I didn’t know what guard mail was). I had 2 years and 9 months time in service when I showed up at DI School, I didn’t even have a GCM. I’ve always said that during DI School PT the Gunny’s were running our dicks in the dirt so hard that we used to look for rocks to twist our ankles on.
I was a Hat 84-86, B Co, 1st Bn, PISC. I was a 22 year old Corporal when I attended DI School. Spent a total of 30 days suspended/5 investigations, received NJP, still had a successful tour, became a WO-CWO3, Captain and retired as a Major. My thoughts on being a DI: New DI’s/3rd Hats are treated no better than the guide. DI’s who insisted on following the rules were often Black Balled. My day on the job I was sent to the third deck to fill in for a third hat who was sick, walking through the head I encountered a Gunny wearing a black belt thrashing about 20 recruits in the head (which I knew was against the rules), I quickly found out that he was the Company Ops Chief playing guest SDI. I eventually met the actual SDI, I think I went in the house 3 times on my first day and told the SDI that I didn’t want to go to jail my day on the job. He kept saying “don’t worry about it”. That’s when I realized that I had to decide to either be a team player or be the DI nobody wanted to work with…I joined the team.
I was a Hat 84-86, B Co, 1st Bn, PISC. I was a 22 year old Corporal when I attended DI School. Spent a total of 30 days suspended/5 investigations, received NJP, still had a successful tour, became a WO-CWO3, Captain and retired as a Major. My thoughts on being a DI: New DI’s/3rd Hats are treated no better than the guide. DI’s who insisted on following the rules were often Black Balled. My day on the job I was sent to the third deck to fill in for a third hat who was sick, walking through the head I encountered a Gunny wearing a black belt thrashing about 20 recruits in the head (which I knew was against the rules), I quickly found out that he was the Company Ops Chief playing guest SDI. I eventually met the actual SDI, I think I went in the house 3 times on my first day and told the SDI that I didn’t want to go to jail my day on the job. He kept saying “don’t worry about it”. That’s when I realized that I had to decide to either be a team player or be the DI nobody wanted to work with…I joined the team.