Old Corps uniforms aid new Corps education

27 Sep 2002 | Cpl. Matt Preston Marine Corps Training and Education Command

The drill instructors of the Academic Instructor Section are coming out dressed to kill - old Corps style. Really old Corps style.

The instructors are dressing up to teach recruits in the uniforms of the time period they're learning about.

"We wanted to bring [the classes] new life," said Staff Sgt. Bob Tagliabue, AIS staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge. "We wanted to get the recruits in the spirit of the time period."

The instructors of AIS are responsible for teaching first aid, general military subjects and, of course, history. Rather than leave history as a simple set of dates and facts, the instructors of AIS wanted to do something with a little more impact.

"We do everything we can to make the class interesting," said Tagliabue.

"We just decided, 'Let's try it,'" said Sgt. Corey Lohr, an AIS history instructor. "It got their attention." They've been getting the recruits' attention for about three months now.

Lohr recently taught Echo Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, its History I class, the beginnings of the Marine Corps and Revolutionary War, in a green tailcoat, white bandolier and white breeches, complete with a musket and a black triangular cover.

It was a far cry from the digital camouflage prints the recruits are wearing now. The recruits were even treated to a lesson on how to load a Revolutionary War-era musket.

Wearing the uniforms is just as much of an experience as seeing them, said the instructors.

"You get a feel for what the Marines of that time actually went through, how heavy [the uniform] was, how hot it was," said Lohr. "It's a good learning experience."

The instructors have uniforms from most of the periods of Marine Corps history taught to the recruits.

In addition to the Revolutionary War period, AIS also has uniforms used in Korea, Vietnam and Desert Storm. For World War I and World War II uniforms, AIS borrows from the Parris Island Museum.

Lohr isn't deterred about walking around in the old-school uniforms.

"I get a kick out it," said Lohr. "People all stop and check [the uniform] out."

Some things never change.

Marine Corps Training and Education Command