How to Be a Drill Instructor

by Chiara Sakuwa
Drill Instructors train focusing on Marine standard operating procedures and leadership training.


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A drill instructor in the United States Marine Corps is an intensive training position that involves honing and transforming civilian recruits into basic Marines. Drill instructors hold the unique position of training recruits not only to master the basics of being a Marine, which include general knowledge, physical fitness and rifle marksmanship proficiency, but to do so in a stressful combat environment. Drill instructors are widely known for their intensity, which is necessary to properly prepare recruits for the rigors of possible combat. To become a drill instructor, you must serve a full enlistment in the Marine Corps, be recommended by your command and attend Drill Instructor training.


Drill instructor, or DI, candidates must have served a minimum of one full four-year enlistment in the Marine Corps. You must also hold the rank of sergeant or higher, and be able to pass mandated physical fitness tests and medical examinations. Most importantly, you will need to be recommended by superiors in your command who have confidence in your maturity, proficiency, conduct and leadership abilities.


Once you are cleared to attend the DI program, you must report to a Drill Instructor School in either Parris Island, S.C., or San Diego. If you are female, you will train in Parris Island. During the 55 training days over a 12-week period, you will learn how to train recruits by covering subjects such as military history, physical fitness, drill marching, swim qualification and most importantly, leadership training.


Upon successful completion of DI training, you will be certified to train as a drill instructor. You will then receive your billet orders to serve as a DI for a three-year tour in either Parris Island or San Diego. Once again, if you are female, you will train recruits on Parris Island. Over the next three years, you will train a platoon of recruits at 13-week intervals, with 10 days of leave in between each training platoon.

Career Outlook

A DI is an intensely challenging position, for which a qualified Marine would need to show a very strong interest and capability to perform. In fact, the DI is among the most challenging billets in the Corps, as it requires enormous amounts of energy, patience, determination and leadership to transform 60 or so recruits from civilians into Marines. The rewards, however, are great. The DI billet gives the Marine a significant amount of points that can be applied toward promotions, awards and benefits, as well as selection channels to choice duty assignments. The leadership skills and experience gained from training as a DI also serve the Marine well in future leadership positions both inside and outside of military service.

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