SGT J D Androlowicz August to October 1964 MCRD Parris Island South Carolina brutal and sadistic were his best attributes. Our training series had three Drill Instructors relieved from one platoon.

One DI for each platoon would stay overnight with the platoon. Before lights out Androlowicz announced that if anyone wanted to leave during the night his Edsel Ford station wagon was parked in front of the barracks unlocked with the keys in the ignition along with his Smokey the Bear hat.

His instructions were simple place the hat on you head the MP’s at the end of the causeway would think it was a DI thus wave you thru. Turn right go one mile. Park the car, put the keys under the seat drivers side and lock the car.

The next morning it was noted that two recruits had departed.

Androlowicz beat on recruits normally when the senior drill instructor for the platoon was not present. The third drill instructor was indifferent for he had been reduced in rank previously for hands on attention to recruits also.

After all these decades I can’t remember an incident with a Drill Instructor that was worth laughing about.

While in Viet-Nam I noted a copy of Life Magazine on the front cover none other than now Staff Sargent Androlowicz still at Parris Island.

No there was nothing funny about our Drill Instructors!