Senior Drill Instructor Staff Sgt. Christopher Carlisle leads Platoon 3001, Kilo Co., 3rd RTBn., during a graduation practice Jan. 5. The platoon shattered the final drill record of 78.85 and set a new recruit training regimental drill record of 79.65. (Photo by Lance Cpl. Darhonda V. Hall.) Senior Drill Instructor Shatters Final Drill Record Submitted by: MCRD Parris Island Story by Lance Cpl. Darhonda V. Hall January 13, 2005 MCRD/ERR PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- Senior Drill Instructor Staff Sgt. Christopher Carlisle led the recruits of Platoon 3001, Kilo Co., 3rd RTBn., during their final drill evaluation and shattered the previous final drill record of 78.85 with a stunning 79.65. "There are 25 drill movements per drill card," explained Staff Sgt. Velma Togiola, 4th RTBn. drill master. "Each movement is worth four points. The drill manual specifically states how each movement is to be executed. Therefore, platoons are graded upon their ability to properly execute each drill movement." The sharp executions of orders called while marching or halted did not go unnoticed as the recruits drilled. Togiola was one of the three drill masters who witnessed and evaluated the outstanding performance of the platoon. According to Togiola, the platoon executed each drill movement with clean and precise counts from start to end. The platoon dazzled the drill masters with their execution of the movement Inspection Arms. Inspection Arms is a difficult seven-count movement in which drill instructors emphasize the accuracy of each movement throughout training. "The performance of this movement was the highlight of their performance," said Togiola. "The platoon executed each count precisely out of the drill manual. Their performance was a perfect visual of the drill manual." The perfection of the seven-count movement did not come naturally to the platoon. Carlisle and his drill instructors constantly demanded perfection from the platoon throughout training before final drill. "If [the recruits] didn't [execute a movement] correctly, we would do it over and over again until they did," he said. "After I had each drill movement where I wanted it, then I constantly remediated the movements." As the date reared for their platoon to perform their final drill, the pressure of the evaluation, however, had no impact on Carlisle. "I trained my recruits to have confidence in themselves, perfection and pride in what they were doing no matter what the task," said Carlisle. "I expected them to do well." Recruits are taught close-order drill throughout recruit training, and the drill instructors emphasize discipline in order to perform drill. "Drill is discipline," the senior drill instructor said. "Discipline is the instant willing obedience to all orders. Discipline also teaches them attention to detail in all the small things that make the overall picture big." The platoon had a score of 62.5 on initial drill, which, on the initial drill scoring charts, is above average. From there, the platoon slowly perfected each drill movement that they were taught. "I just wanted my platoon to perform to the best of their ability. I knew of the work they put in to performing drill correctly," said Carlisle. "It feels really good to see that all of their hard work has paid off. The recruits were really excited and motivated." Togiola concluded that the success of this platoon is a clear result of the hard work, time and non-stop remediation that their senior drill instructor and drill instructors put into drill. Sound Off...What do you think? Join the discussion.

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