WHAT IS A DRILL INSTRUCTOR or DI?

Drill instructors epitomize the word “Marine.” It is their sole responsibility to take the American men and women who want to claim the title and transform them into basically trained Marines. Drill instructors are an example and a mentor to the recruits while they are in training.

In order to become a drill instructor, an enlisted Marine must go through Drill Instructor School, an intense 12-course taught to prospective Marines.

When a drill instructor begins to train recruits, he or she is usually accompanied by two to three other drill instructors all assigned to one platoon. One platoon generally has approximately 60 to 80 recruits. These drill instructors wear green duty belts combined with a hat called a campaign cover, i.e. smokey bear cover.

Leading the platoon’s drill instructors is the Senior Drill Instructor (SDI). The Senior Drill Instructor has already served several cycles, or 12-week periods it takes to train one platoon of recruits. He or she wears a black leather duty belt and the campaign cover.

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Drill instructors are the first Marines recruits see when they arrive at Recruit Training and are the Marines that take them the entire way through recruit training up until graduation day. Drill instructors literally are with recruits 24 hours a day. 

THE DRILL INSTRUCTOR CREED
These are my recruits. 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 standards of personal conduct, morality, and professional skill.  

THE FIRST WORDS THAT YOU WILL HEAR FROM YOUR SENIOR DRILL INSTRUCTOR
My name is (Rank/Name). I am your Senior Drill Instructor. I am assisted in my duties by: (Rank/Name) and (Rank/Name). Our mission is to train each one of you to become a United States Marine.

A Marine is characterized as one who possesses the highest military virtues. He obeys orders, respects his seniors, and strives constantly to be the best in everything he does. Discipline and spirit are the hallmarks of a Marine. Each of you can become a Marine if you develop discipline and spirit. We will give every effort to train you, even after some of you have given up on yourselves.

Starting now, you will treat me and all other Marines with the highest respect, for we have earned our places as Marines and will accept nothing less than that from you. We will treat you as we do our fellow Marines: with firmness, fairness, dignity and compassion. At no time will you be physically or verbally abused by any Marine or recruit. If anyone should abuse or mistreat you, I expect you to report such incidents immediately to me or one of my drill instructors. Further, if you believe that I have mistreated you, I expect you to report it to the series commander, (rank/name). My drill instructors and I will be with you every day, everywhere you go.

I have told you what my drill instructors and I will do for you. From you we expect the following:

– You must give 100% of yourself at all times.
– Obey all orders, instantly, willingly, and without question.
– Treat all Marines and recruits with courtesy and respect.
– You will not physically abuse or verbally threaten another Marine or recruit.
– Be completely honest in evrything you do. A Marine never lies, cheats, or compromises.
– Respect the rights and property of all others. A Marine never steals.
– You must work hard to strengthen you body.
– Be proud of yourself and the uniform you wear.
– Try your best to learn the things you will be taught.
– Above all else, never quit or give up.

We offer you the challenge of Recruit Training – – the opportunity to earn the title “United States Marine.” 

THE ‘SMOKEY’ AKA The Marine Di’s Cover

There is one distinction that separates a Drill Instructor from all other Marines…the “Smokey” cover. Wearing it is part of the prestige that comes with training recruits, but it wasn’t always limited to DI’s.
The history of the “Smokey” dates back to 1859, according to Dr. Stephen Wise, a Parris Island Museum curator. All Marines at that time wore only two covers: A dress cover and a Civil War-type “kepi” undress cover. Although the “kepi” didn’t even remotely resemble the cover Drill Instructors wear today, it was replaced by the “Smokey’s” close cousin – the Campaign Hat.

The Campaign Hat, which resembled a cowboy hat, was introduced in 1898 to protect Marines from the sun and rain. It was worn in the field and in garrison, when ordered. A slit down the center made the top slouch, so it was often called a “Slouch Hat.”

In 1912, the Marine Corps replaced the Campaign Cover with the style of cover Drill Instructors wear today – the Field Hat. Many Drill Instructors mistakenly call the Field Hat a Campaign Cover. This cover was distinctive because it was the first American style hat. Up to this point, the Marine Corps had patterned uniforms after other countries. This cover was worn by all Marines, not just Drill Instructors.

During World War II, the need to cut back on expenses made it necessary to discontinue some of the leather parts of the uniform. The Field Hat was one of the first to go in May 1942.

After the war, gunners at Weapons Training Battalion were authorized to wear the Field Hat. In 1956, however, the felt version “Smokey” was returned to Drill Instructors’ wardrobes. This mark of distinction has now become tradition.

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