I have realized the importance of getting top quality instructors here to train our students in the things they must know to become drill instructors. Mullins said the squad instructor billets are coveted by many of the drill instructors who qualify by virtue of being gunnery sergeants on their second tour on the drill field. Those with clean training records and judged to be a cut above average within their battalions may go before a screening board for final approval. It gives those who do it a lot of job satisfaction. The director cited classroom work and practical experience in teaching core values as two of the most important skills the fledgling drill instructors learn.
Students hold practice discussions that are videotaped for later evaluation.
They sometimes work with recruits who have been set back for rehabilitation for a variety of reasons, mostly because of injuries or the need for more physical conditioning. These discussions are also taped and critiqued. Core value subjects range from personal integrity to sexual harassment. Nearly 80 hours of instruction will be devoted to core values. Drill is next with 108 hours, followed by physical training, which consists of 65 hours, and leadership, with 61 hours.