First Marching Inspection

C077/K051 Feb21-Apr 25, 1990

How hard is it to walk? No serious, how hard it is? Now, how hard is it to walk with 80 other people going to the same place at the same time?

OK, look at it this way. We were on the grinder behind Division 4 and wanted to go to our classroom in the training building. Sounds pretty easy, doesn’t it?

By the time of the first marching inspection, we have been making the same trip for a while. We practiced it many times too. Our RCPO knew the commands to get us there. Our CC’s told us exactly what the inspector was going to do.

The first big move was the left turn at by the galley. Each different column had to do different steps. Half turns half steps, full steps, more half steps.

If I recall, this was the BIG inspection for the First Comp period, so getting off to a good start was important.

It did take us a while to figure out how to walk together. It is more challenging than people imagine. Everyone has to take the same step, cadence. Getting the cadence, rhythm, was hard, and keeping the proper pace was important. The pace was set by the guideon bearer. That is why short people got that job. Before we figured it out, we would kick the guy in front of us and have some awful lines. This is why it was important to line up correctly by height, do a proper dress right, and cover.

We practiced numerous times. We messed up many times as well. But, better then than during the inspection. One particular practice was rather eventful. We had our extra flags for the division with us now. The guideon bearer was to have been working with the new guys on turning with the flags. I guess they kept messing up. I am not sure which CC did this, but here is the exchange.
“Guideon Bearer, why do the flags keep messing up?”
“I don’t know, sir.”

“ Have you been working with them like I told you?”

“But, when have I had the time, sir?”

There was actually an audible gasp! Seriously.
Now, there would be a good deal of debate, but we think the next words were, “You little shit, DROP!” There was a tirade about his attitude, and he was fired. So, first marching inspection, we lose our guideon.

I think he got a few laps around the grinder, while we continued to practice with the new line up at flags.

We did discuss what had happened after the CC’s left us for the night. We also had a good deal of fun with the old guideon bearer. Poor guy got such a hard time over the next couple of weeks. I think he got his spot back later on. It looks like he was holding the CO’s White in our company picture. He was a nice guy, amiable, just said the wrong thing at the wrong time. 

During practices, we would have our CC’s acting like the inspectors. When we made the turns, they would point at a particular recruit and out their steps. We would go into the training building and take seats just like at the inspection.

I got yelled at when making a facing movement on the fly instead of stopping and making the turn. (I think that is right.)

So, we are all at our seats, and the RCPO takes over.
“Uncover.”
Our hands all go up in one fluid motion. Well, maybe close to one movement. Right hands up to our cover.
“TO”

Hopefully, we did that in one smooth motion as well. Covers off.
We practiced over and over. Inspection day came, we went out there and strut our stuff. Made those turns dead on. Into the training build. Into our seats.

NO, I did not mess up. But, a side note about me. I still had my screwed up eye that I could not see well out of. But, I was lucky and did not have to guide to the right.

I think that day, the ladies showed up after us. They went finished up their inspection, and we had class. Since it was our first marching inspection, I guess it was a Naval Heritage class.

We had to wait until we returned to our compartment for the results.
Now, if I recall correctly, we came back in, and the CC’s had us get on the line. They had a pretty good poker face. They walked around, talking about the inspection.

“Seaman Recruit Jones (I’m picking a name) How many half steps on the turn?
“8 sir!”
“Correct. How did you do?”

“8 sir!”
“You’re damn right, you did. Inspector made it easy on those who he was counting.”

“RCPO, you did a damn good job.”
There were a couple people who had minor issues, but overall we did really good. I forget our actual score, but the CC’s were very happy with us.

If you make it this far, I am sorry for the crappy photo again. I had to use one of the stock shots from a Rudder. The Navy did a horrible job at documenting life at RTC Orlando. I understand the use of film at the time did limit things dramatically. The new digital age is great, you can take thousands of photos on a small chip. Trust me, I know.

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