The Marine Corps has begun integrating male and female drill instructors to train recruits, enhancing diversity and support.
In December 2023, Lt. Gen. Kevin Iiams directed the boot camp staff to form these mixed teams. Lt. Col. Stephen Draper mentioned that they were able to implement this in just a few months, with San Diego kicking things off as early as January 24.
While not every team can be mixed due to the limited number of female drill instructors, they set minimums. At San Diego, they decided to have at least three integrated teams, with the possibility of more if resources allow. Currently, about 10% of all drill instructor teams are mixed, which matches the percentage of female recruits.
The shift to mixed-gender teams was recommended by a $2 million study from the University of Pittsburgh. The study found that single-gender teams often led to a “group think” mentality, and having both male and female instructors would provide recruits with a wider range of role models.
The report emphasized that having strong leaders of both genders is crucial for recruits. It suggested a model where same-gender leaders supervise platoons overnight but allow mixed-gender training during the day.
The Marine Corps has been under pressure to integrate its training depots more fully. They closed the all-female Fourth Recruit Training Battalion in 2023 and started admitting female recruits to San Diego in 2021. However, they still maintain single-gender recruit platoons for privacy and safety reasons.
In a previous interview, Iiams expressed his desire for full integration but wanted to ensure that all teams could be mixed before making the change. A TECOM spokesman clarified that the decision to integrate was part of a careful approach to recruit training.
Privacy concerns and the need for adequate rest for drill instructors had previously held back the integration of teams. With fewer women in the service, increasing the number of female drill instructors can impact their other career opportunities.
Draper noted that the rollout of mixed teams wasn’t meant to draw attention but was about finding the best way to train recruits. The change has also helped reduce burnout among drill instructors, especially female ones, who often face challenges balancing work and family life.
Early feedback suggests that mixed teams have eased some of the pressure and opened up more opportunities for female drill instructors, making the training process more efficient overall.
