MCRD/ERR PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- Staff Sgt. Monica Nuno, drill instructor, November Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion, has been aboard Parris Island training recruits for almost exactly four years.
At first glance, she is like the majority of the Depot's drill instructors - she spends her days with her platoon, works long hours and hardly sees her family. What sets her apart is that Nuno has had not one, but two children while on the drill field and maintains a score of 300 on her physical fitness test.
Nuno is the proud mother of two young girls, a three-year-old named Jocelyn, and a nine-month-old named Adriana.
A female's body changes so much during a pregnancy that it is difficult to get back to the peak of physical fitness in the short amount of time availiable on the drill field, said Nuno. One possible effect felt while exercising during post-pregnancy is extreme soreness because of weaker bones and muscles, making keeping up with the rigors of recruit training difficult or impossible, Nuno explained.
To get back into shape quickly after giving birth, Nuno said she pushed herself and placed fitness high on her priorities list.
"I put in extra hours at the gym three weeks after giving birth," said Nuno. "People said I was crazy, but there is no such thing as being 'naturally good' at PT. Having a three-hundred PFT means you put a lot of sweat into it. You get what you put into it."
Her superiors did not overlook her dedication.
"She has done an exemplary job, especially considering the circumstances," said Gunnery Sgt. Deanna Hopp, series gunnery sergeant, November Co., 4th RTBn. "She still did her job, came back and whipped out a three-hundred PFT."
Nuno said she could not have gotten to where she is without the love and unfailing support of her husband, Jose, a worker for Navy Marine Corps Intranet and a former Marine.
"I put my career ahead of my family," said Nuno. "My husband was mature enough to be the single parent."
Nuno says her favorite part about being a drill instructor was the chance to mentor her recruits.
"I try to be as big of an influence in their lives as my senior drill instructor was in mine," said Nuno. "Patience, intensity and motivation - that's what I try to put into my recruits. My goal was to produce a set of confident Marines."
However, her days of training recruits are almost over and Nuno will soon be transferring to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., to resume her original military occupational specialty as an aircraft mechanic.
While she will miss training recruits, Nuno says she is looking forward to the change of pace and added time with her family.
"I feel like I get my family back," said Nuno. "Better yet, they get me back. I finally get to put those hours into being a mom. Those hours with your children - you'll never get those back."
As she prepares to leave Parris Island for the second time, Nuno offers some hard-learned advice to fresh drill instructors and new Marines.
"As a drill instructor, you have to have mental endurance, and you will eventually grow as a Marine," said Nuno. "To the new Marines: understand the first enlistment will be a little rough, and know that the Marine Corps will never lower its standards for anybody."