MCB Camp Pendleton

Press Releases

Former USMC drill instructors to star in 'reality' TV series

22 Mar 2001 | SSgt. Skip Osborn Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON -- For many Marines, boot camp was a personal, life-altering experience, and one not easy to relate to civilians, but thanks to a new reality TV series debuting on Fox March 28, the entire nation will soon get a taste of what it's like to join the Marine Corps.

The new series, "Boot Camp," invites 16 contestants to surrender every aspect of their civilian lives in order to participate in a game of elimination set in a military-style training program.

Real Marine drill instructors set the pace by putting the recruits through a series of obstacle courses and other specialized training activities meant to build confidence, and force them to face their fears.

"I feel that they have a new-found love and respect for the Marine Corps," said Chief Warrant Officer Tony D. Rosenbum, "Boot Camp" DI. "We gave it to them just like a regular recruit. We ran them through the processing stages, sleep deprivation, the physical training program, the spirit and discipline, and everything else we teach recruits in boot camp."

During each of the eight episodes, the contestants take part in a mission that tests their training and ultimately reveals the weak links in their squad.

At the end of each episode the contestants face an evaluation by their peers. The results of the evaluation determine who goes, and who stays until the final episode, where the remaining contestants battle for a cash prize of $500,000.

To make the show possible, the Marine Corps provided the production company with three active-duty Marines, and one former Marine, all of whom were former drill instructors. In addition, the Corps provided them with the use of two amphibious assault vehicles and two high mobility multi-purpose wheeled vehicles, the costs of which were reimbursed by the production company.

In order for the Corps to participate in the program, there were a few stipulations. One was that the Marines could not use their rank or wear Marine Corps uniforms and insignia. Another was that the DIs were only associated with the Corps during their personal interviews, when they talked about their Marine Corps experiences. Finally, and so there is no confusion, the show is being touted as a "Marine Corps-style boot camp," not "Marine Corps recruit training."

Technicalities aside, the DIs treated the show's "recruits" as if they were real recruits, with few exceptions.

"To me there was no difference," said Rosenbum. "We treated them just like recruits. Of course that's understanding that upon completion of the show they weren't going to the Fleet Marine Corps to defend God, Corps and country. They were going back to their jobs. We knew that going in, but we didn't let that affect our judgement as far as being, and conducting ourselves as Marines and former drill instructors."

Just like Marine Corps recruits, the show's contestants had a variety of reasons for volunteering for the chance at this experience.

"They all had their various reasons for doing it," said GySgt Annette L. Taylor, "Boot Camp" DI.   "They either did it for the money, because they had something to prove, or because they actually wanted the training. Either way it didn't matter to us. All we were concentrating on was training these recruits for a certain period of time."

The drill instructors were chosen after completing a series of interviews with the Marine Corps' Los Angeles Public Affairs Office and the production company. They too had their own reasons for volunteering.

"What made me take this roll is the fact that I wanted to represent the Marine Corps in a positive light as far as drill instructors go," said Taylor. "I think that sometimes we get wrapped around the negative stereotypes that drill instructors hold. Some people honestly believe that we physically push people around or have a negative impact on someone's life."

"Everyone who knows me understands why I did it and how I feel about it," said Rosenbum. "I did it for the same reason I was a regular DI. I liked impacting lives in a positive way, and this was a good opportunity for me to do that. I also wanted it done right. I didn't want the show to recruit somebody to act like a drill instructor, I wanted the real thing."

Besides wanting to do their best to represent the Marine Corps and its drill instructors, the DIs chosen for the show understand that they may receive significant notoriety for their rolls. However, according to Rosenbum, this temporary fame won't go to their heads,

"As far as recognition for being in the show goes I don't mind it, but I'm certainly not looking to be the next Tom Cruise," said Rosenbum.

One benefit of the Marine Corps contributing to the show is free advertising, highlighting Marine Corps DIs and the types of challenges potential recruits could face.

"We believe the show will be a unique venue to provide America with a glimpse into Marine Corps recruit training," said Capt. Shawn Haney, deputy director, Marine Corps motion picture liaison office, Los Angeles. "This isn't the real thing, however. Viewers will see our drill instructors instilling some of our leadership traits, such as loyalty, dedication, integrity, and discipline. In that respect, the show's recruits are just like our Marine Corps recruits."

Haney also said she wants to make sure that for all the Marines watching the show, they understand this was not Marine Corps recruit training, but it was close enough to be a similar life-changing experience for most of the show's recruits.

That, according to Rosenbum is the key to enjoying the show. He asks that people remember it's entertainment, but at the same time hopes that viewers can see just how professional Marine Corps drill instructors can be.

"For all the critics out there all I can say is it's a TV show," said Rosenbum. "We try to make it as real as possible for them and for everyone else. Obviously there's a couple of Hollywood time-outs in there now and then with the interviews, but at no time did we lose face with the recruits. We maintained our status as Marine drill instructors throughout the entire thing, and we didn't have to jeopardize that position, so I feel really good and confident about it.

Former USMC drill instructors to star in 'reality' TV series

22 Mar 2001 | SSgt. Skip Osborn Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

PRINT

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON -- For many Marines, boot camp was a personal, life-altering experience, and one not easy to relate to civilians, but thanks to a new reality TV series debuting on Fox March 28, the entire nation will soon get a taste of what it's like to join the Marine Corps.

The new series, "Boot Camp," invites 16 contestants to surrender every aspect of their civilian lives in order to participate in a game of elimination set in a military-style training program.

Real Marine drill instructors set the pace by putting the recruits through a series of obstacle courses and other specialized training activities meant to build confidence, and force them to face their fears.

"I feel that they have a new-found love and respect for the Marine Corps," said Chief Warrant Officer Tony D. Rosenbum, "Boot Camp" DI. "We gave it to them just like a regular recruit. We ran them through the processing stages, sleep deprivation, the physical training program, the spirit and discipline, and everything else we teach recruits in boot camp."

During each of the eight episodes, the contestants take part in a mission that tests their training and ultimately reveals the weak links in their squad.

At the end of each episode the contestants face an evaluation by their peers. The results of the evaluation determine who goes, and who stays until the final episode, where the remaining contestants battle for a cash prize of $500,000.

To make the show possible, the Marine Corps provided the production company with three active-duty Marines, and one former Marine, all of whom were former drill instructors. In addition, the Corps provided them with the use of two amphibious assault vehicles and two high mobility multi-purpose wheeled vehicles, the costs of which were reimbursed by the production company.

In order for the Corps to participate in the program, there were a few stipulations. One was that the Marines could not use their rank or wear Marine Corps uniforms and insignia. Another was that the DIs were only associated with the Corps during their personal interviews, when they talked about their Marine Corps experiences. Finally, and so there is no confusion, the show is being touted as a "Marine Corps-style boot camp," not "Marine Corps recruit training."

Technicalities aside, the DIs treated the show's "recruits" as if they were real recruits, with few exceptions.

"To me there was no difference," said Rosenbum. "We treated them just like recruits. Of course that's understanding that upon completion of the show they weren't going to the Fleet Marine Corps to defend God, Corps and country. They were going back to their jobs. We knew that going in, but we didn't let that affect our judgement as far as being, and conducting ourselves as Marines and former drill instructors."

Just like Marine Corps recruits, the show's contestants had a variety of reasons for volunteering for the chance at this experience.

"They all had their various reasons for doing it," said GySgt Annette L. Taylor, "Boot Camp" DI.   "They either did it for the money, because they had something to prove, or because they actually wanted the training. Either way it didn't matter to us. All we were concentrating on was training these recruits for a certain period of time."

The drill instructors were chosen after completing a series of interviews with the Marine Corps' Los Angeles Public Affairs Office and the production company. They too had their own reasons for volunteering.

"What made me take this roll is the fact that I wanted to represent the Marine Corps in a positive light as far as drill instructors go," said Taylor. "I think that sometimes we get wrapped around the negative stereotypes that drill instructors hold. Some people honestly believe that we physically push people around or have a negative impact on someone's life."

"Everyone who knows me understands why I did it and how I feel about it," said Rosenbum. "I did it for the same reason I was a regular DI. I liked impacting lives in a positive way, and this was a good opportunity for me to do that. I also wanted it done right. I didn't want the show to recruit somebody to act like a drill instructor, I wanted the real thing."

Besides wanting to do their best to represent the Marine Corps and its drill instructors, the DIs chosen for the show understand that they may receive significant notoriety for their rolls. However, according to Rosenbum, this temporary fame won't go to their heads,

"As far as recognition for being in the show goes I don't mind it, but I'm certainly not looking to be the next Tom Cruise," said Rosenbum.

One benefit of the Marine Corps contributing to the show is free advertising, highlighting Marine Corps DIs and the types of challenges potential recruits could face.

"We believe the show will be a unique venue to provide America with a glimpse into Marine Corps recruit training," said Capt. Shawn Haney, deputy director, Marine Corps motion picture liaison office, Los Angeles. "This isn't the real thing, however. Viewers will see our drill instructors instilling some of our leadership traits, such as loyalty, dedication, integrity, and discipline. In that respect, the show's recruits are just like our Marine Corps recruits."

Haney also said she wants to make sure that for all the Marines watching the show, they understand this was not Marine Corps recruit training, but it was close enough to be a similar life-changing experience for most of the show's recruits.

That, according to Rosenbum is the key to enjoying the show. He asks that people remember it's entertainment, but at the same time hopes that viewers can see just how professional Marine Corps drill instructors can be.

"For all the critics out there all I can say is it's a TV show," said Rosenbum. "We try to make it as real as possible for them and for everyone else. Obviously there's a couple of Hollywood time-outs in there now and then with the interviews, but at no time did we lose face with the recruits. We maintained our status as Marine drill instructors throughout the entire thing, and we didn't have to jeopardize that position, so I feel really good and confident about it.