Film’s Most Intimidating Drill Instructor Visits Nimitz (R. Lee Ermey)

Navy Newsstand ^ | 06/04/03 | Carla Morton

[Drew68]

Film’s Most Intimidating Drill Instructor Visits Nimitz

Story Number: NNS030603-22
Release Date: 6/4/2003 1:49:00 AM

By Operations Specialist 3rd Class Carla Morton, USS Nimitz Public Affairs

ABOARD USS NIMITZ, At Sea (NNS) -- R. Lee Ermey, best known for his role as Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in the 1987 film "Full Metal Jacket," was aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) to meet with Sailors and to film segments for his television show, “Mail Call.”

“It feels good to be aboard Nimitz,” said Ermey. “I have been bugging The History Channel for this opportunity, and I finally got the approval. It is really great to be here. I have a great respect for the military.”

Ermey arrived aboard Nimitz courtesy of a C-2A Greyhound from Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30, deployed with Nimitz. After his arrested landing, Ermey met with Nimitz Commanding Officer, Capt. Robert J. Gilman.

Shortly after arrival, Ermey said, “I intend on taking full advantage of everything there is to see on Nimitz.” According to Ermey, he originally tried to enlist in the Navy, but was rejected due to problems he encountered as a teen, which is why he went on to enlist in the Marines.

While serving in the Marine Corps, Ermey volunteered for sea duty aboard USS Coral Sea (CV 43). When talking about his arrested landing aboard Nimitz, Ermey said, “Forty years after being stationed on sea duty, I finally got to land on the flight deck of a ship. It was an absolute thrill.”

“I got a lot of inspiration for my role from when I was a drill instructor at MCRD (Marine Corps Recruit Depot) San Diego,” said Ermey. “A lot of the lines I used in the movie are things I picked up from the drill instructors I worked with.”

According to Ermey, a lot of people feel that recruit training has gotten easier.

“I still go to the graduations, and I see that the Soldiers are just as motivated and strong as when I was a drill instructor. The only difference is that they are smarter.”

Ermey feels that the changes to recruit training, such as the addition of the crucible, and advanced technology and training, have improved the Marine Corps and the military as a whole.

Ermey was treated to lunch in the officer’s wardroom, dinner in the Chief Petty Officer Mess, and breakfast with Nimitz Sailors in the crew’s mess.

“I like to chat with and motivate the troops,” said Ermey. “The Sailors have been at sea so long, hopefully, they will laugh at my boring jokes.”

Ermey has been hosting “Mail Call” for a little more than a year, which became the number one show on The History Channel after only seven episodes. “Mail Call” answers military questions that viewers e-mail to Ermey.

“The true stars of “Mail Call” are the Sailors, Airmen, Soldiers and Marines that answer the questions,” said Ermey. “I just introduce the show.”

While aboard Nimitz, Ermey answered questions for his show such as, “Why do Sailors wear different colored flight deck jerseys on the flight deck?” and “What is the purpose of X-Ray, Yoke and Zebra material condition settings?”

Ermey tries not to take things too seriously, “My show is light and funny,” said Ermey. “Viewers can learn about the history of the military and be interested at the same time because it is funny, not painful.”

030527-N-2385R-001 Arabian Gulf (May 27, 2003) -- R. Lee Ermey, host of the popular History Channel program “Mail Call,” observes flight operations aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Ermey, a retired Marine Corps Vietnam Veteran is aboard Nimitz to film segments for the show. The Nimitz Carrier Strike Force and Carrier Air Wing Eleven (CVW-11) are deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the multi-national coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction, and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Yesenia Rosas. (RELEASED)

030527-N-2385R-003 Arabian Gulf (May 27, 2003) -- R. Lee Ermey, host of the popular History Channel program “Mail Call,” uses the flight deck intercom system (5-MC) to announce the beginning of flight operations from Primary Flight Control (Pri-Fly) aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Ermey, a retired Marine Corps Vietnam Veteran is aboard Nimitz to film segments for the show. The Nimitz Carrier Strike Force and Carrier Air Wing Eleven (CVW-11) are deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the multi-national coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction, and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Yesenia Rosas. (RELEASED)

For more Nimitz news, visit the ship's Navy NewStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cvn68.

[Drew68]

New season of "Mail Call" premiers this evening. The History Channel has been playing a "Mail Call" marathon all day today.

[Tax-chick]

Great show. Ermey is the cutest thing!

[martin_fierro]

Been watching it. LOVE that show!

OOOOOOH RAAAAAH!

[Marine Inspector]

Great show.

[AlaninSA]

Hands-down my favorite show to watch on TV. I was simply wired when I found out that RLE was going to be hosting it last year.

Check out his site at this URL: http://www.rleeermey.com/

[KC_Conspirator]

"Mail Call" is a great show. I also like Ermey's latest comments on the Hollywood idiots.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

...the number one show on The History Channel after only seven episodes.

Way to go, America!

[Tahoe3002]

I don't know if this is his "actor" uniform, or not, but the top two medals on this uniform are the silver star and the purple heart. Acccording to his web site, he was medically discharged, as a staff sergeant with 10 years active duty, due to injuries in Viet Nam. The "gunny" was made an honorary Gunnery Sgt. in light of his positive USMC role model.

Semper Fi, USMC 1974-1981

[Quix]

He sure has campy obnoxious down to an art!

[LS]

Are you aware that there is a G.I.-Joe-type "R. Lee Ermey" Doll out there? It barks orders, "Git that grin off your face, scumbag" and dozens of other DI quips.

[Gary Boldwater]

Lee Ermy is quoted:

“I still go to the graduations, and I see that the Soldiers are just as motivated and strong as when I was a drill instructor. The only difference is that they are smarter.”

Someone should correct him on the use of the word "Soldiers" when referring to Marines. It could incite a riot or even worse!

[CholeraJoe]

Ermey played a drill Sergeant in the TV series "Space, Above and Beyond." His famous quote, which has become a guiding principle in my life was, "The only easy day was yesterday."

[KarlInOhio]

Everyone lovers R. Lee. Does no one have any respect for his adversaries?

[CARepubGal]

Ping!

[Jhoffa_]

"This is my garden.. it's where I grow the enemy."

[SuziQ]

I was in NYC last weekend with our daughter's Girl Scout Troop and lookee what I saw towering over Time Square!!

I just LOVE that show!!

[KarlInOhio]

I wasn't disappointed. He called out an ordnance disposal team on a suspect watermelon. Boom!

He was going to eat the flesh of his defeated enemy until he decided that it would probably taste like black powder.

[Richard Kimball]

Make it CLICKABLE , you MAGGOT! What is your problem? Didn't Mamma love you enough, Gomer?

[ewing]

We really need an R. Lee Ermey ping list. The guy is great..

[ewing]

I think Ermey was promoted to Master Gunnery Sargent a few years ago, I believe. (equiv. to Lt. Col.?)