MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- The new Marines of Company D stood still and poised in their Service “A” uniforms on the depot’s Shepherd Memorial Drill Field, during the Battalion Commander’s Inspection, Feb. 23.
After being endlessly tested both physically and mentally, the Battalion Commander’s Inspection is the final assessment the recruit will go through before graduating from boot camp. During the inspection, they are tested on bearing, appearance and Marine Corps knowledge.
Marines pride themselves on immaculate uniforms and being detail-oriented, therefore, the new Marines began to prepare their uniforms and weapons for inspection the afternoon they returned from the Crucible, Feb 18.
“Inspection is important because it ensure the senior leadership that the new Marines are basically trained and can conduct themselves in a confident manner,” said Staff Sgt. Jeremiah Wood, chief drill instructor, Company D.
In addition to their uniforms looking top-notch, it is also important for the Marines to memorize Marine Corps knowledge, which they have been learning and building upon since they first stepped on the yellow footprints as recruits.
“They are asked questions about customs and courtesies, weapons handling, chain of command, rank structure, uniform regulations and Marine Corps history,” Gunnery Sgt. Noel Dominquez, chief drill instructor, Co. D. “They are going to need to know this basic knowledge in the Marine Corps.”
The Marines were also required to memorize their rifle serial numbers the first day they had them issued. They had to recite the number when they hand their rifle to their inspector.
“They have had this weapon for 3 months and they need to be responsible for their gear,” said Dominguez. “We have preached accountability since Day 1. If a Marine loses his rifle, the repercussions would be immense.
The inspection can last up to 3 hours, and can be very strenuous on the Marines as they stand under the beaming San Diego sun.
“Anytime we do anything that involves standing for hours on end I remind them to keep their knees slightly bent, to inconspicuously switch weight from left to right and to make sure they are sufficiently hydrated,” said Wood. “But by this time in training, they are used to standing a lot.”
There are always benches and jugs of cold water present behind the formation for recruits who become heat casualties.
Once the inspection is over, the recruits return to their squad bays and prepare to inventory all of their gear in preparation for their departure from the depot later that week. The next time the recruits step foot on the parade deck they will be leaving as America’s newest United States Marines.