MCRD PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- Drill instructor school poses many difficulties for Marines, such as the intense academic schedule, memorizing the entire drill manual or just dealing with the strict staff. But, for two students attending Drill Instructor School Class 4-08 there is one obstacle they have to face that other students don’t.
Army of the Czech Republic soldiers Master Sgt. Lukas Pikner and Master Sgt. Michal Petr have to deal with the fact that English is their second language.
Pikner and Petr were chosen by the Army of the Czech Republic to attend the school because they tested high on an English proficiency test and are two of the best instructors of basic training they have.
They are attending the school to learn how the U.S. Marine Corps trains their recruits. They are expected to take the knowledge they gain back to their country and make suggestions that could possibly improve their training regimen, Petr explained.
Military members from nine other countries have also completed the course. These countries include Argentina, Bulgaria, Colombia, Hungary, Jamaica, Latvia, Republic of Cape Verde, Romania and Slovakia, according to 1st Sgt. Jean-Paul Courville, first sergeant of the Drill Instructor School.
The obvious language barrier creates problems for the master sergeants, but they aren’t given any special treatment and are held to the same standards as all the Marines, according to Gunnery Sgt. Richard Ayala, chief instructor of the Drill Instructor School.
Being held to the same standard doesn’t seem to faze Petr and Pikner though as the instructors say they have progressed quickly and are doing just as well as the other students.
“If it weren’t for their different uniforms and accents I doubt many people would be able to distinguish them apart from the Marines,” Ayala said. “They are progressing very quickly and can perform all the tasks they are given.”
For example, they have never done a swim qualification before coming to Parris Island, and Pikner passed Combat Swim Qualification Class one with no problems, Ayala said.
Class 4-08 has been training for almost a month and the Czech Republic soldiers are doing well, but they said it would be a lot more difficult without the help of their classmates. They said the Marines are always willing to lend a hand to make sure they understand exactly how to do everything.
“We don’t have sword or rifle manual in Czech Republic, so it is all brand new to us, and the Marines work with us a lot to make sure we perfect the movements,” Pikner said. “We also don’t use inches, so that makes the movements difficult, but with all the help we get from the Marines, I think we will do well.”
Having Pikner and Petr at the Drill Instructor School not only betters them and their military, but the Marine Corps also benefits by having them, Courville said.
“Having the Czech Republic students helps the mission of the overall institution of the Marine Corps in dealing with public relations with current and future allies of the U.S.,” Courville said.
Upon completion of the course, Pikner and Petr will become the 46th and 47th international students to graduate the Drill Instructor School since 1998.
Pikner and Petr are still early in their training, but if they keep working hard and stick to their goals, they will be standing in formation right next to the Marines on graduation day, they said. The Drill Instructor School staff also said they believe the two will complete the training.
“They are doing so well partially because if we sent a U.S. Marine to another country we would send our best,” said Staff. Sgt. Frank Robinson, squad instructor with the school. “It’s a matter of pride.”