First Reservist Marine to EVER Hold This Title
Drill Master DI Ribbon Hat Ceremony | MCRD San Diego, CA
Staff Sgt Andrew Brand has been stationed at Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego with Golf Company for some time. He started off as a regular Drill Instructor, and finished off his time as Drill Master September of 2022.
This was no easy feat; Staff Sgt needed to extend his orders as a reservist and promise his time -far- beyond what was originally expected.
Brand’s career at the depot actually started the day he was born, the same day his father graduated Drill Instructor School in 1992. He often says he was “born for this”.
Right before getting a campaign cover, Brand was with MV22 Osprey and spent 5 years at 773 from HMM to VMM.
While Brand has personally encouraged me, supported me, and had my back; it was my joy to photograph the second half of His DI Ribbon/ Hat Ceremony as this is his last month on the Depot.
Here are some photos from Staff Sgt’s speech last week:
Thanks to Michael, a fellow Marine, for taking these next few images while I was stuck at Pass and ID with my new VET ID when I got turned around at the gate, lol. Never AGAIN.
Additionally, representation for RESERVISTS is important, but also paving the way for Black Drill Instructors. Staff Sgt Brand has dedicated a lot of his time and efforts in supporting anyone he can.
History Fact: Gilbert Johnson was one of the 1st Black Marine DI that lead the way for other Africa American men and women to become DI in the Corps.
*Sergeant Major Gilbert "Hashmark" Johnson (October 30, 1905 – August 5, 1972) was one of the first African Americans to enlist in the United States Marine Corps and one of the first African American drill instructors in the Marine Corps. Johnson was known as “Hashmark” because he had more service stripes than rank stripes. He retired in 1959 after 32 years of service in the U.S. armed forces, including 17 years as a Marine.
Lastly, here are photos of everyone giving congratulations and some posed photos.
If you want award ceremony photo’s like this, let me know right here!
Bonus photo, these two men has single handedly kept my drive to return to MCRD to photograph alive. Shout out to them. Go check out Gunnery Sergeant Jose Flores’ award ceremony here.
**Disclaimer, these were taken as a gift from Morgan, not a business related item. **
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If you want award ceremony photo’s like this, let me know right here!
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Looking for the original Old Glory poem, the history behind “My Name Is Old Glory,” or meaningful ways to personalize an Old Glory military retirement ceremony? Learn where the tradition came from, explore ideas I have seen used at real Navy and Coast Guard retirements, and read an original modern Old Glory poem honoring September 11, Iraq, Afghanistan, military families, homecomings, and a lifetime of service.