From behind the bleachers (literally), I got some sneaky photos of recruits drilling.
	I think they were simulating final drill when even the Drill Instructor is evaluated.
	The rifles are down at their side and the DIs are checking each one for foot placement, rifle placement, hand placement, alignment, and even details such as the roll of the sleeves.
	Once this is done, they get back to the routine.
	This is the monument dedicated to Drill Instructors. Either that or these two are crazy-disciplined.
	Just in case that shot didn't take. They didn't even move between pics.
	The Sergeant that showed us around says he knows the DI who they modeled this statue over. To tell the truth, it could have been any of them.
	There was great detail in the face but the digital camera just wasn't having it.
	This is a great representation anyway. They do seem to have black souls when you are on the business end of their wrath.
	A side view and again, no definition in the face. It was so weird to be this close because it was life size and detailed. I wouldn't have been all that surprised to see it move.
	The realism was uncanny .Whoever did this did a hell of a job.
	I had to get every angle because, you know, I'm me.
	I dared to get on the platform to get this pic and to tell you the truth, I had a bit of a chill despite this being a statue. OK, I was terrified.
	Boo.
	Close up to the side. Perfect profile.
	Back to the fun in the background. Notice the kid in the front row to the right. I don't know why he's yelling when no one else is.
	The platoon is marching "to the rear" to back out of a tight spot.
	Here is the recruit chapel, A.K.A. the Crying House.
	I got a great angle from the bleachers but one of the DIs saw me and likely didn't appreciate my voyeurism. Yikes!
	What's the difference in this pic? Note the rifles.
	Here are the famous Parris Island bleachers where family members sit for graduation. You can see them in the graduation scene in Full Metal Jacket.
	Here you can see the difference the Smoky DI cover makes. This is a student at the DI school who shadows a platoon for the day to get experience. Since he has not graduated, he doesn't rate to wear the Smoky. Note how he just looks like a somewhat regular Marine out there.
	He runs around to get a better look at the platoon as they march but somehow doesn't carry the same intimidation.
	I caught the platoon totally messing up. Notice the varying positions of the rifles. They got chewed up after this.
	I tried to catch the classic "sit, kneel, bend" formation when the DI wants to teach something. The first row sits, the second row kneels, the third row bends over at the waist, and the last row stands. They curl around the DI so it looks like an amphitheater. They had just finished here and were getting back in formation.
	The details didn't come out but this memorial marks the spot where a plane crashed many years ago, killing two Marine lieutenants learning to fly. Or, trying to learn. It's across the street from the Commanding General's quarters.
	An old fashioned gazebo across from the CG's house. The museum said there was a famous dog buried around here but I couldn't find it.
	The Iron Mike statue in from of Headquarters. This is the most famous statue on the island.
	This picture looked great through the lens but my digital camera just didn't want to play.
	At least the dramatic profile is captured. And that's about it.
	The inscription etched at the base of the statue.
	Headquarters, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina.
	It seemed a bit out of place to paint a recruiting phone number on the water tower at MCRD Parris Island. I mean, anyone who saw it was already going into the Marine Corps and likely questioning their decision to do so. In fact, it seems a bit factitious. Even downright mean and taunting.
	Going down the main strip of the base.
	And on the other side reminds us that the base is also the headquarters for the Eastern Recruiting Region.
	I found a statue dedicated to female Marines and also represents the Marine Corps commitment to education. I don't know why they combined those, though. There is the same statue in Quantico in front of the Research Center.
	It must be nice to be the General.

Quick links to the other sets of this series:

• Set 1: Arriving on The Island
• Set 2: Watching Recruits In The Wild
• Set 3: More Wild Recruits
• Set 4: Squadbay Visit
• Set 5: Historical Sites

Email -- jason@grose.us
Web -- http://www.grose.us/