Funny story as a D.I.

As a Drill Instructor, our platoon had returned to the barracks from chow and they suddenly started requesting permission to make a head call. Not knowing the situation, (someone at the mess hall had put dirty socks in the soup and the recruits got the shits) I refused them. After they all started moaning I started to let them go but it was too late. They were shitting everywhere. They were in the back of their bunks using their wash buckets if they were lucky enough to make it in time. Most of them messed themselves. Needless to say, I felt bad for them afterwards, but now when I think of it, I can't help but laugh! Those poor bastard's must have really hated me then...

 

Another time was when the recruits were downstairs at the "Wash Rack". It was on a Sunday, around the 2nd phase, and while they were washing their clothes, I would walk around quitely. I would always cut them slack on Sunday, so they were more relaxed. As I was behind one recruit, he whispered to another, "I hope we don't have "fuckin Ferland" for duty tonight". I made a soft moan and he turned around. When he saw that I was staring straight at him, he turned real pale........I didn't know if he was going to eat his skivies or put them on backwards. I stood behind him awhile longer, letting him grasp this situation. He thoutht he'd caught hell, but I simply walked away, letting him wonder when and if it would come back to haunt him. I did let it slide.......just watching his reaction was priceless to me!...... 

 

Sgt R.J. Ferland

U.S.M.C.

65-72