Free Republic

Today, the U-T launches a new tradition. Each Jan. 1, we will honor the Person of the Year, an individual or category of individuals with San Diego ties. We can think of no better way to begin this tradition than by selecting as our first winner the Marine. Since Sept. 11, 2001, America has relied on the Marine to keep us safe from terror at home and to take the fight to our enemies abroad, a task our Marines have handled with immense courage, professionalism and honor. Some of the 56,000 Marines based in San Diego County — the...

February 2010 “Mississippi No More” Drill Instructor School, MCRD San Diego By R. R. Keene “I wanna be a drill instructor, I want to cut off all of my hair, I wanna be a drill instructor, I’m gonna earn that Smokey Bear.”—Cadence at Drill Instructor School Tradition, discipline and the spirit of innumerable young men manifests itself in cadence that echoes across the massive grinder, off the distinctive amber arcade with its sculpted Marine Corps emblem, ramparts, courtyards and Spanish-style barracks picketed by tall palm trees. The cadence emanates from the rank and file within platoons—the collective voices of young...