Photo By Cpl. J Nava | Graduates from Drill Instructor School Class 2-11 at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot...... read more read more
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PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. - Forty-seven Marines from across the Marine Corps graduated from the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island Drill Instructor School, March 23.
The school pitted the Marines of class 2-11 against the 11-week course, which adds emphasis on further developing their leadership abilities, command presence and physical conditioning. The course is designed to challenge the best Marines in the Corps, according to Maj. Joseph Atkinson, director of the school.
“When you come here and finish this course, everything about you as a Marine improves,” said Sgt. Heather Campoalegre, one of the new drill instructors. “You come out of this a better leader, more physically fit and the most important thing I gained from this is the mindset that there is no such thing as excuses,” Campoalegre said.
The graduation ceremony began with remarks from the director and guest speaker, Sgt. Maj. Joseph Gray, 1st Recruit Training Battalion sergeant major.
“The importance of your role here is immeasurable, because you will be training the Corps’ future leaders,” Gray told the new graduates.
The remarks were followed by the presentation of the new drill instructors’ campaign covers, which each Marine donned in succession. The distinguished graduates were honored first, followed by the rest of their peers.
“This campaign cover represents a huge responsibility for me,” said Campoalegre. While she recognizes the challenges ahead Campoalegre is enthusiastic about her opportunity to influence future Marines.
Campoalegre will pick up her first platoon as a drill instructor in May.
Gray then led the newly sanctioned drill instructors as they bellowed the Drill Instructor Pledge, cementing their commitment to training America’s Marine Corps hopefuls.
As the nation’s newest Marine Corps drill instructors, these Marines have earned their place in American folklore and will soon earn their place in the memories of future Marines.
“Marines will always forget the names of old bosses and roommates,” Gray said. “But no matter how old a Marine gets, they will never forget the names and faces of their drill instructors.”
| Date Taken: | 03.23.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 04.04.2011 14:00 |
| Story ID: | 68254 |
| Location: | PARRIS ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 700 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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