Although i am not a wm, this story is totally about one particular wm platoon learning to march, more specifically " halt their forward progress when marching ".
Most marines seldom forget their senior drill instructor. I like all marines remember mine, SSGT Capirci, platoon 3006, parris island, in the summer heat of 1967. I have seen this marine run circles around our platoon while on runs, shoot the ten ring consistently with an M-14 offhand at the five hundred yard line when a recruit would complain his rifle was inaccurate. I truly didn't think any thing could shock, stupify, confuse, or leave him at a loss for words, but i saw it happen one blazing hot afternoon while we were out on the grinder in preparation for our graduation. Since we were close to graduation, our senior DI was treating us with a small measure of " respect " and as we were drilling, a very "raw" wm platoon joined us on the grinder. we were already at parade rest, the DI allowing us to watch the new " wm " platoon going through their initial drill training. The female DI had directed her recruits in our general direction and while she was very easily within earshot, she hollered "HALT". Instead of the unified sound of all heels coming together in the final halt, there was the stacatto of an inexperienced platoon. With that, the female DI screamed at the top of her lungs, " When i hollar halt, i want to hear 46 pV$$!&$ slapping together and sucking in air ". The look on our very senior and experienced DI was worth the price of admission. He had absolutely nothing to say, just shook his head and allowed the WM platoon to readjust themselves and march away. He never said another word about it, but , the female DI's action and our senior DI's reaction made it a priceless moment worthy of hanging onto. now here it is 44 years later and i still remember it as if it happened yesterday.
respectfully cpl craig gorbutt