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Learning the drill

Sgt. David Washington yells at recruits during a water break on a march at Camp Pendleton. The drill instructors will prod and push their charges throughout the grueling 13-week process of becoming a Marine. “You’ll forget your third-grade teacher, but you’ll never forget your DI,” says Washington, who became a drill instructor to emulate his own DI.

Sgt. David Washington yells at recruits during a water break on a march at Camp Pendleton. The drill instructors will prod and push their charges throughout the grueling 13-week process of becoming a Marine. “You’ll forget your third-grade teacher, but you’ll never forget your DI,” says Washington, who became a drill instructor to emulate his own DI.  (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

Drill

Senior DI Justin Green yells at recruits to drop their bags in front of them as they stop for a break. During the march, Green will carry the same 60-pound pack as his recruits and will scale the same hills -- but he’ll barely break a sweat while he keeps an eye out for stragglers.  (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

Drill

A drill instructor, wearing the broad-brimmed hat that marks his unquestioned authority, barks out orders as recruits try not to fall behind.  (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

Drill

DI James Elrod shouts at a recruit to get his pack on as they prepare to resume their march. To many recruits, pleasing their seemingly unpleasable DI is seen as an entryway to manhood and something to proudly brag about to friends and family back home.  (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

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Drill

Before heading out on a march, recruits perform a weapons count to make sure that everything is accounted for, as their drill instructor makes his way down the line to ensure that all is in order.  (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

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