By Cpl. Pedro Cardenas | Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego | October 11, 2013
Students of DI School, class 1-14, push on to the finish line during their initial Physical Fitness Test aboard the depot, Oct. 1. Marines were motivated by Maj. Adrian B. Haskamp, director of Drill Instructor School, who had already finished the 3-mile run portion of the PFT. (Photo by Cpl. Pedro Cardenas)
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A student (green shirt) is corrected by an instructor during a formation before running his initial Physical Fitness Test aboard the depot, Oct. 1. Students are held to a higher standards and are expected perform to give maximum effort throughout the duration of the course. (Photo by Cpl. Pedro Cardenas)
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Staff Sgt. Michael D. Riggs, physical training instructor, Drill Instructor School, gives the command dress-right-dress to align the platoon before their Initial Physical Fitness Test aboard the depot, Oct. 1. Drill movements are an important tool in the drill instructor arsenal as they instill instant obedience to orders. (Photo by Cpl. Pedro Cardenas)
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San Diego --
The motto of Drill Instructor School reads, “The future of the Marine Corps starts at Drill Instructor School.” This is where Marines become trained drill instructors, who in turn, transform civilians into Marines.
DI school is one of the Marine Corps’ leadership academies where students must develop their leadership skills to earn their campaign covers. Campaign covers are a representation of Marine Corps history and tradition but also of the authority of drill instructors and their mission to make Marines.
DI School develops and evaluates the knowledge, physical condition, command presence, instructional ability and leadership of noncommissioned officers and staff noncommissioned officers to prepare them for the rigors of drill instructor duty.
“The most important aspect of DI School is character development. We represent the Marine Corps and the ones who came before us,” said Gunnery Sgt. Carlos M. Weiss, instructor. “You always have to seek self improvement but also, how to better the organization.”
Students at the school are observed in every aspect due to the nature the school.
“We hold our students accountable by being demanding, attention to detail and setting high expectations. Everything we teach here, they will apply during their drill instructor tour,” said Staff Sgt. Michael D. Riggs, physical training instructor.
According to Riggs, a Long Beach Calif. native, leadership goes a long way. It is the ability to identify right from wrong, but most importantly, the ability to take charge and ensure things are done the correct way.
Leadership is taught at DI School through values-based training with an emphasis on the core values.
“When they go out there and find themselves needing to make a decision, they need to use that leadership and to always remember simple words of honor, courage and commitment,” said 29-year-old Riggs.
Another emphasis is teamwork.
“You cannot be selfish by any means,” said 31-year-old Weiss an Austin, native. “Unselfishness is a must-have trait because your sacrifices are always for the better of the organization.”
Once the 56-day training cycle is complete, Marines will be awarded their campaign covers earning them the title drill instructor. Every drill instructor, since July 21, 1956, wears a “Smokey” as a symbol of prestige associated with being a Marine Corps drill instructor.
Graduates of DI School will go on to shape the future of the Marine Corps. They will preserve the traditions and history of the Corps as they build the next generation of Marines.
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