MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT/EASTERN RECRUITING REGION PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. ? -- "Drill is life."
With one short sentence, Staff Sgt. Edward D Parsons, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion operations chief, nearly summed up his entire storybook career.
After four years with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Parsons was handpicked to be the leader of the body bearers, the burial detail at Marine Barracks, 8th and I.
During his time spent with the body bearers, Parsons was on the funeral detail that buried countless congressmen, senators, generals and senior enlisted Marines, including Sgt. Maj. Herbert J. Sweet, the 4th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps.
In addition to the hours spent in drill and 3-15 funeral ceremonies per week, the Marines of the funeral detail spend a mandatory two-and-a-half hours per day in the gym. The rigors of special duty are well worth it, said Parsons.
"It's a dream assignment," he said. "If someone today asked me if I wanted to go back, I'd pack my bags and be out the door."
The highlight of Parson's time spent at 8th and I was marching as platoon sergeant in the 1996 Presidential Inauguration.
"Doing the eyes left and seeing the President sitting right there was an awesome feeling," said Parsons.
In addition to passing in review for the commander-in-chief, Parsons had the honor of being the NCO Parade Commander for the Marine Barracks Washington Evening Parade. Although Parsons loves the drill field, he remembers his time at 8th and I fondly.
"The Marines at 8th and I sell the Marines," said Parsons. "They are the pictures of the Marine Corps that are put out to draw people in. We're known for being the best, and 8th and I exemplifies that every day,"
Perfection is a demand that Parsons places on his Marines. Though it may seem unrealistic at times, there is a method to his apparent madness.
"I demand perfection at all times, even though it isn't possible," said Parsons. "I accept human error, but if I demand my Marines be perfect in everything they do, at our worst we will still be better than two-thirds of the Marine Corps."
In addition to unit cohesion, Parsons says his high standards help with personal growth as well.
"I set the standards on every Marine higher," said Parsons. That way when he achieves things he thought were impossible, his bar of expectations rises a little bit. Hopefully everyone will always be looking for ways to better themselves."
While the standard Parsons sets may seem extreme, he strives to live by his own standards every day.
"I'm not going to ask someone to do something I haven't done or wouldn't do," said Parsons. "If I expect something, I'd better give it in return."
Love for the Corps is something Parsons takes very seriously. It is an intangible feeling that can never be duplicated, according to Parsons.
"You have to have a different love for the Marine Corps than you do for life," said Parsons. "It's what keeps you getting up at four in the morning. It's what keeps you running when you want to quit. It's what helps you walk that observation post while everyone else is sleeping. It's not something that goes away. If it does, it's not real."
Love for the Corps is something that Parsons holds second only to his love for his family. When he's not at work, Parsons enjoys relaxing with his family.
"I like to take my sons Major and Gunner fishing," said Parsons. Spending time with his boys, ages five and four respectively, along with their 13-year-old sister Elicia, is Parson's favorite off-duty hobby.
As Parson's time on quota comes to a close, he awaits the opportunity to return to India Company as a senior drill instructor. When his tour on the drill field is done, Parsons would love the opportunity to return to 8th and I.
"I would spend the rest of my career there if I could," said Parsons. "Anywhere in the Marine Corps will be fine with me. My love for the Corps doesn't depend on where I am. I take it with me."