MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- “Don’t you dare touch that remote control, ‘cause you’re watching ‘Mail Call,’” barked Gunnery Sgt. R. Lee Ermey, actor and former Marine.
The History Channel’s No. 1-rated show visited Camp Pendleton early this week to shoot for an upcoming episode featuring the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program and the MK-19 grenade launcher.
The production crew first made its way to the School of Infantry’s green belt instructor course to drop in on training. They videotaped students sparring and grappling while instructors supervised.
Then, the crew turned its cameras on advanced infantry training, where Marines from the Advanced Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry, fired grenades downrange at mock humvees.
“We wanted to cover the MK-19 grenade launcher in an upcoming show because it is one of the weapons systems “Mail Call” hasn’t reviewed yet,” said Keith Guinto, the show’s supervising producer.
The martial arts footage will give viewers an idea of how the Marine Corps uses hand-to-hand combat, he added.
The show answers questions, sent in by viewers, about technology used by the military past and present.
“We try to stay true to our scenario,” said Ermey.
“It is a beautiful thing to let a Marine talk about his equipment on the show. It really shows that Marines know their stuff,” he added.
Ermey regularly visits the base to film and promote the show, which airs on Friday nights.
“It’s the closest base to Hollywood where we can find Marines and their equipment,” Ermey explained.
Ermey spent 11 years on active duty and was medically retired in 1971 as a staff sergeant.
He served as a drill instructor for two years at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. He also served a tour of duty in Vietnam.
The Marines look forward to watching their martial arts instruction on a future episode of “Mail Call” sometime in October.
“It was pretty motivating to be on TV doing what I love to do,” said Sgt. Billy J. Trott, a martial arts instructor for AIT/SOI. “This job is already motivating enough, but to know I can do it on TV is even better.”