MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- The Marine looked at the three bodies lying on the deck. He thought he was okay to drive but now the three other Marines with him were motionless.
A master sergeant in a suit and tie walked up to the stunned driver.
?What are you going to tell their parents?? asked the master sergeant. The Marine driving was speechless.
Fortunately, it was all in their heads. They all woke up and returned to their seats.
The Marines in question were not under the influence of alcohol, but under the influence of MSgt. Bryan McDaniel, a visiting hypnotist from Camp Pendleton, Calif.
McDaniel used his powers of hypnotism to entertain the Marines of the Depot while teaching them about the dangers of driving while impaired May 15-16 in the Depot Theater.
Using hypnotism to simulate the affects of alcohol, McDaniel stressed the importance of making good decisions before getting behind the wheel.
?[People are] not capable of making the right decisions while drinking,? said McDaniel. ?[Marines] need to make the right decision before they start drinking.?
The show intended to make a serious point before Memorial Day, traditionally the nation?s deadliest holiday. However, McDaniel made sure the event wasn?t all work and no fun. Volunteer Marines from the audience came up on stage to be hypnotized. While onstage, the Marines forgot the number eight while counting to ten, spoke only the word ?pepper? and even performed ?YMCA? in appropriate Village People garb.
Hypnotism isn?t an MOS in the Marine Corps, so when not giving presentations McDaniel works for the Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity in Camp Pendleton, Calif. integrating and maintaining tactical technologies. A 22-year veteran of the Marine Corps, McDaniel has studied magic and hypnotism for 12 years. As a licensed hypnotherapist, McDaniel uses his skills to help people lose weight, stop smoking and even enhance sports performance.
McDaniel got his first taste of magic while stationed in Norway when a gunnery sergeant there showed him how to do a few simple tricks. He?s been showing off his magical talents ever since.
This is his first return to Parris Island since he went through recruit training.
?It?s changed a little,? he said with a smile, ?but not enough to stop the nightmares!?
There are some things even hypnotism can?t cure.