#dispotlight

< | > Drill Instructor Spotlight < | > Only about 600 Marine Corps drill instructors shape the approximately 20,000 recruits who come to Parris Island annually into basic United States Marines. This handful of dedicated DIs is entrusted with sustaining a more than 238-year legacy by transforming men and women into the next generation of Marines. This is one of those drill instructors. Name: Sgt. Michael Nygaard India Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion Joined Marine Corps in June 2003 Became a DI in March 2013 Military Occupational Specialty: Amphibious assault vehicle crewmember Hometown: Cape Coral, Fla. “It (being a drill instructor) was something I’ve wanted to do since I graduated recruit training. Watching my DIs when I came in just made me want to do it.” (Photo by Cpl. MaryAnn Hill)

< | > Drill Instructor Spotlight < | > Only about 600 Marine Corps drill instructors shape the approximately 20,000 recruits who come to Parris Island annually into basic United States Marines. This handful of dedicated DIs is entrusted with sustaining a more than 238-year legacy by transforming men and women into the next generation of Marines. This is one of those drill instructors.  Name: Sgt. Lakisha Harris November Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion Joined Marine Corps in June 2003 Became a DI in July 2013 Military Occupational Specialty: Motorized transport specialist  Hometown: Alliance, Ohio “I became a drill instructor because, for female Marines, the training has changed for the positive. The Marine Corps is transitioning to allowing females into more ground combat [military occupational specialties], and the training is more physical than when I went through. This is rewarding for me because I’m able to help condition the recruits mentally and physically for what they will face later in their careers.” (Photo by Cpl. Octavia Davis)

< | > Drill Instructor Spotlight < | > Only about 600 Marine Corps drill instructors shape the approximately 20,000 recruits who come to Parris Island annually into basic United States Marines. This handful of dedicated DIs is entrusted with sustaining a more than 238-year legacy by transforming men and women into the next generation of Marines. This is one of those drill instructors.  Name: Staff Sgt. Anthony Walker  Hotel Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion Joined Marine Corps in March 2003 Became a DI in October 2013 Military Occupational Specialty: Aviation Supply Specialist Hometown: Pelham, Ga. “I wanted to give back to the Marine Corps by sharing the knowledge and experience I have gained with future Marines.” (Photo by Lance Cpl. Vaniah Temple)

PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. – Only about 600 Marine Corps drill instructors shape the approximately 20,000 recruits who come to Parris Island annually into basically training United States Marines. This handful of dedicated DIs is entrusted with sustaining a more than 237-year legacy by transforming men and women into the next generation of Marines. This is one of those drill instructors. Sgt. Mallory Ortiz November Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion Joined Marine Corps in April 2008 Became a DI in March 2013 Military Occupational Specialty: Ammunition Technician Hometown: Medford, Mass. “Based on my experiences in the Marine Corps, I wanted to be a part of shaping the new generation of female Marines. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience to be selfless every single second of every single minute of every single day to train these recruits to become United States Marines.” (Photo by Lance Cpl. MaryAnn Hill)

Hometown: Jacksonville, N.C.

Name: Sgt. Jason Wasserman Mike Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion Joined Marine Corps in March 2006 Became a DI in March 2012 Military Occupational Specialty: Rifleman Hometown: Detroit

Staff Sgt. Angela Lopez currently serves as a Marine Corps drill instructor with November Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion, at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C. Lopez joined the Marine Corps in July 2001 and became a drill instructor in December 2012. “I became a drill instructor because I wanted to see a difference in the females coming into the fleet. I wanted to be a part of the change,” said Lopez, a native of Gulfport, Miss. About 600 Marine Corps drill instructors shape the approximately 20,000 recruits who come to Parris Island annually into basic United States Marines. Parris Island is home to entry-level enlisted training for 50 percent of males and 100 percent for females in the Marine Corps. (Photo by Lance Cpl. MaryAnn Hill)

<|> Drill Instructor Spotlight <|> Only about 600 Marine Corps drill instructors shape the approximately 20,000 recruits who come to Parris Island annually into basic United States Marines. This handful of dedicated DIs is entrusted with sustaining a more than 237-year legacy by transforming men and women into the next generation of Marines. This is one of those drill instructors. Name: Gunnery Sgt. Kristy Shaffer Oscar Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion Joined Marine Corps in December 2000 Became a DI: March 2011 Military Occupational Specialty: Supply clerk Hometown: Los Angeles “I wanted to be a drill instructor because of all the outstanding female Marines that I knew in the operational forces and because of my best friend, Staff Sgt. Carolina Andrade.” (Photo by Lance Cpl. David Bessey)