Our History...

In the early 1980's a Troop of former Marine Corps Drill Instructors decided to put together a reunion of former "DI's". After seeing the great response, at the second reunion, it was thought that an association of former and active drill instructors should be formed.

So, just as Marine Corps itself started at TUN TAVERN, so started the Marine Corps Drill Instructors Association. The meeting place, Staff Non-Commissioned Officers Club, MCRD, San Diego, California. Some of the original members who started the ball rolling are: Leland "Crow" Crawford, 9th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps; Mike West, Bob Barron, Lou Irvin, Mike Lischin, Tom Madrid, Frank Roller and other known Marines.

The Association was formed in December 1985 and received its charter in February 1986. The first reunion as an association was September 1986 at MCRD, San Diego. The following year, after much publicity, growth and high interest, it was again held at MCRD, San Diego.

In March of 1988 an East Coast chapter was formed and chartered at MCRD Parris Island, South Carolina. Since then there has been a reunion on both coasts each year. In November 1988 the west coast chapter was formed and chartered at MCRD, San Diego, California. This gave the Association a chapter on both coasts and a National Board.

The Association has two major projects it is addressing as well as its membership drive, which is always on-going. The Scholarship Fund, which awards yearly scholarships to Association membership, and their qualified dependents.
The Monument Fund, a large undertaking, which the Association built Monuments at Parris Island, South Carolina and San Diego, California. The Monument is in honor of past, present, and future Drill Instructors.