# I am Gunnery Sergeant Hartman, your senior drill instructor. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 3, 2012, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-gunnery-sergeant-hartman-your-senior-drill-instructor/611648 "2012-02-03T14:11:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-gunnery-sergeant-hartman-your-senior-drill-instructor/611648/121 "2012-08-09T05:59:32Z")
Today, you people are no longer maggots. Today, you are Marines. You’re part of a brotherhood. From now on until the day you die, wherever you are, every Marine is your brother. Most of you will go to Vietnam. Some of you will not come back. But always remember this: Marines die. That’s what we’re here for. But the Marine Corps lives forever. **And that means YOU live forever.** ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-gunnery-sergeant-hartman-your-senior-drill-instructor/611648/122 "2012-08-09T06:53:32Z")
The [German dub](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8AHC0DwFME) doesn’t do too bad. ---
**Author:** ![Battle\_Pope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@Battle\_Pope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Battle_Pope)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-gunnery-sergeant-hartman-your-senior-drill-instructor/611648/123 "2012-08-10T00:35:56Z")
> [@aldiboronti](#): > > The guy in the 50s who had the reputation of having the loudest bark in the British Army was [Regimental Sergeant Major Britten](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0110094/). He made a number of movies in which he put that bark to good effect. How does Richard Attenborough in \*Guns at Batasi \*compare? _[http://youtu.be/qzKTOUkroU0](http://youtu.be/qzKTOUkroU0)_ ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-gunnery-sergeant-hartman-your-senior-drill-instructor/611648/124 "2012-08-10T01:40:34Z")
> [@Battle\_Pope](#): > > How does Richard Attenborough in \*Guns at Batasi \*compare? > > _[http://youtu.be/qzKTOUkroU0](http://youtu.be/qzKTOUkroU0)_ They’re both shy, squeaking, whispering little pussywimps compared to [Michael Palin.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLJ8ILIE780) ---
**Author:** ![Imago](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/85e7bf/32.png) [@Imago](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Imago)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-gunnery-sergeant-hartman-your-senior-drill-instructor/611648/125 "2012-08-10T15:42:21Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Hartman would be nearly speechless in todays army. A lot of his insults/obscenities were gay slurs. I’ve read DI’s can’t even curse out a recruit anymore. I don’t know what the status is on cursing, but I think the notable bit about this in the Canadian forces now is that they can’t chew out on individual, but can insult the group as a whole. This results in them looking right at one person, while saying, “_All your your guys’s_ drills are disgusting! Get those arms up!” etc to get around the rules. It’s comedic at first, but eventually the effect is no different from before the rule was put in place, which completely defeats the purpose of the rule. ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2012, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-gunnery-sergeant-hartman-your-senior-drill-instructor/611648/126 "2012-08-11T06:40:05Z")
This character impresses me as a martinet marionette with the strings pulled by a manufacturer of war materiel. (“War is good business, invest your son”) ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2012, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-gunnery-sergeant-hartman-your-senior-drill-instructor/611648/127 "2012-08-11T10:36:17Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Hartman would be nearly speechless in todays army. A lot of his insults/obscenities were gay slurs. I’ve read DI’s can’t even curse out a recruit anymore. …for the record, is it okay to use _straight_ slurs to scream at people? Y’could probably make that work. “You’re the most miserable clump of slack-jawed breeders I’ve ever seen! _Fifty, now!_” ---
**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2012, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-gunnery-sergeant-hartman-your-senior-drill-instructor/611648/128 "2012-08-11T15:08:36Z")
> [@Ranchoth](#): > > …for the record, is it okay to use _straight_ slurs to scream at people? Y’could probably make that work. “You’re the most miserable clump of slack-jawed breeders I’ve ever seen! _Fifty, now!_” Who knows? I know is that what you listed there is a politically correct, pussified version of: "I am hard, so you will not like me! But the more you hate me the more you will learn! There is no racial bigotry here! I do not like niggers, wops, kykes or greasers! To me you are ALL equally worthless! ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2012, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-gunnery-sergeant-hartman-your-senior-drill-instructor/611648/129 "2012-08-11T17:20:13Z")
All right, all right…once the trainees leave boot camp, do they get similar treatment from their platoon sergeant? ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2012, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-gunnery-sergeant-hartman-your-senior-drill-instructor/611648/130 "2012-09-17T13:38:55Z")
Personally approved by the Gunny: > **[Aura SEAL](https://www.atlantacutlery.com/aura-seal)** > > The SOG Aura SEAL knife has R. Lee Ermey’s stamp of approval. It comes with a diamond sharpening rod and and nylon belt sheath. ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2012, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-gunnery-sergeant-hartman-your-senior-drill-instructor/611648/131 "2012-09-17T15:14:58Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > You climb obstacles like old people fuck, you know that Private Pyle! Get up here - you’re too slow! When I was in advanced training my instructor used this line on me. Instructor: “Goddammit Gunner, you load ammo like old people fuck!” Me: “What? Like, very sexily?” Instructor: “I…wh…the fuck, man?” ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2012, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-gunnery-sergeant-hartman-your-senior-drill-instructor/611648/132 "2012-09-17T15:48:48Z")
Did he then splutter, “What is your major malfunction, Gunner?” ---
**Author:** ![Bambro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/df705f/32.png) [@Bambro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bambro)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2012, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-gunnery-sergeant-hartman-your-senior-drill-instructor/611648/133 "2012-09-17T16:08:04Z")
> [@RandMcnally](#): > > When I was in advanced training my instructor used this line on me. > > Instructor: “Goddammit Gunner, you load ammo like old people fuck!” > > Me: “What? Like, very sexily?” > > Instructor: “I…wh…the fuck, man?” My father always finished the line when he used it on me. “You cut grass like old people fuck; slow and sloppy!” ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2012, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-gunnery-sergeant-hartman-your-senior-drill-instructor/611648/134 "2012-09-17T17:37:52Z")
Fuck you, Sarge. I was drafted. In less than two years I’ll be out of here and you’ll be nothing but a bad memory. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2012, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-gunnery-sergeant-hartman-your-senior-drill-instructor/611648/135 "2012-09-17T18:04:21Z")
> [@dougie\_monty](#): > > This character impresses me as a martinet marionette with the strings pulled by a manufacturer of war materiel. (“War is good business, invest your son”) Me too. But for decades, if you passed the physical and you wanted to live your life as a man and an American, there was no getting around him. Every coach and teacher of boys, every boss and leader of men was essentially summed up in the DI or DS. He was the national rite of passage. ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_s\_Son](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19adc/32.png) [@Jim\_s\_Son](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_s_Son)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2012, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-gunnery-sergeant-hartman-your-senior-drill-instructor/611648/136 "2012-09-17T19:29:22Z")
> [@dougie\_monty](#): > > This character impresses me as a martinet marionette with the strings pulled by a manufacturer of war materiel. (“War is good business, invest your son”) And I am completely unimpressed with the stupidity of you and “Beware of Doug” for spewing out this mean spirited garbage about the greatest people in the world. Move to the worker’s paradise of North Korea if you really feel that way. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-gunnery-sergeant-hartman-your-senior-drill-instructor/611648/137 "2012-09-18T01:41:57Z")
> [@Jim\_s\_Son](#): > > And I am completely unimpressed with the stupidity of you and “Beware of Doug” for spewing out this mean spirited garbage about the greatest people in the world. Move to the worker’s paradise of North Korea if you really feel that way. This is totally inappropriate for Cafe Society, **Jim’s Son**. Don’t do it again. ---
**Author:** ![Horseface](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/4af34b/32.png) [@Horseface](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horseface)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-gunnery-sergeant-hartman-your-senior-drill-instructor/611648/138 "2012-09-18T01:47:00Z")
Did your parents have any children that lived? You’re so ugly you could be a modern art masterpiece. ---
**Author:** ![DWMarch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwmarch/32/1010_2.png) [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-gunnery-sergeant-hartman-your-senior-drill-instructor/611648/139 "2012-09-18T07:05:32Z")
That name sounds like royalty! Are you royalty? Do you suck dicks? ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 9:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-gunnery-sergeant-hartman-your-senior-drill-instructor/611648/140 "2012-09-18T09:14:58Z")
Another fine movie is [The Siege of Firebase Gloria](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098328/), in which Ermey plays Sergeant Major Hafner. In one scene, he walks into camp, carrying the severed heads of two comrades (who had been killed and mutilated by the Viet Cong): > [@](#): > > Anyone know who these belong to? This is Corporal Miller. He’s dead. Hell, the whole gun crew’s dead. And to add insult to injury, Charlie took the fifty-fucking caliber machine gun with him. I don’t have any respect for Corporal Miller anymore, because he allowed his troops to relax. They let their guard down for five fucking minutes, and Charlie took advantage of it. Look at 'em, Goddammit! Pay attention. Stay alert! Stay alive! It’s as simple as that! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-gunnery-sergeant-hartman-your-senior-drill-instructor/611648.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-gunnery-sergeant-hartman-your-senior-drill-instructor/611648.md?page=8)