HISTORY
Drill Instructors
1976
Scarlet Epaulets (Winter) / Green (Summer)
Female Drill Instructors upon Graduation, received scarlet epaulets. On 27 Mar 1984, red epaulets were worn for the last time by women Marine drill Instructors. Corporal Valerie Shields wears the scarlet epaulets.
1983
Women Marines ID's began wearing the scarlet shoulder cord
Women Marine drill Instructors. Sergeant Major Brown wears the scarlet cord.
September 13, 1996
Campaign Cover
Female Drill Instructors Scarlet Cord No More.
December 16, 2020
Women Graduate from San Diego
Sergeant Stephanie Fahl, Sergeant Ikea Kaufman, Sergeant Stephanie Jordi, made Marine Corps history by becoming the first females to graduate from a gender-integrated drill instructor course at Recruit Depot San Diego.
The Commandant of the Marine Corps announced through ALMAR 327/96 (All Marine) Administrative Message on 13 September 1996, and effective immediately, the campaign cover was authorized. In the same message it also announced that the wear of the scarlet shoulder cord was no longer authorized.
On 1 October 1996, Fourth Recruit Training Bn. Sergeant Major Royce S. Restivo, places a campaign cover on one of the 53 female drill instructors on hand at the scarlet cord retirement ceremony in the Parris Island Lyceum October 2. The final scarlet shoulder cord, the previous symbol of a female DI, was given to retired CWO-2 Phyllis Alexander, former female DI, for placement in the Parris Island Museum.
History of the Campaign Cover
The introduction of the pre-World War II campaign or field hat worn by drill instructors today originated during an advisory council meeting in 1956. Male senior noncommissioned officers strongly recommended the adoption of better "headgear" for DIs.
At that time, the khaki barracks cap had a bill, but didn't shade the eyes. The soft khaki garrison cap didn't have a bill, and the green herringbone cape worn with the field uniform was also inadequate in the summer sun. The pith helmet was a practical alternative for wear in the hot Carolina summer. It was cool and its wide brim provided good shade for the eyes and neck. It later became the hat used by marksmanship instructors at the rifle range.
Further study indicated that the field hat was the item most preferred by DIs. It shaded the neck and eyes well, but did not keep the head as cool as the pith helmet. The field hat was a bit of tradition going back to the "Old Corps" of pre-World War II days. It also was more suitable for year-round wear than the pith helmet. By early June 1956, the Depot had requisitioned 1,000 field covers for delivery on Sept. 1, 1956, but Gen. Wallace M. Greene Jr., wanted to order 700 covers immediately. On Saturday, July 21, 1956, at 7:30 a.m. all 603 male drill instructors of the recruit training command obtained their new covers.
Female drill instructors authorized to wear "Smokey"
The commandant of the Marine Corps announced on Sept. 13, 1996, that all female drill instructors were authorized to wear the previously male-only "Smokey" field hat. The commandant's decision has answered the frequently asked question, "Why not?" It was first asked in 1976 when the first females graduated from Drill Instructor School and again in 1983 when female DIs began wearing their scarlet shoulder cord. During their Sept. 26, 1996, graduation ceremony, female DI School graduates were issued field hats. A cord retirement ceremony took place Oct. 2, 1996, after which female DIs ceased wearing the scarlet cord and began wearing the cover. The commandant, Gen. Charles C. Krulak, was on hand for the event.
The final scarlet shoulder cord, the previous symbol of a female DI, was placed in the Parris Island Museum.
For the first time in nearly 100 years, an integrated company of male and female recruits at MCRD San Diego are about to begin their journey into becoming Marines.
These future Marines will be led by graduates from MCRD's first ever integrated Drill Instructor Course. Now the mission of the course is to screen, train, and further develp leadership and command presence of selected Marines, in order to successfully perform duties of a drill instructor.
