US Army Training Center Fort Ord - Yearbook (Fort Ord, CA)

Page 58 text:

— ' -IBiPiBI.. drill sergeants creed I AM A DRILL SERGEANT DEDICATED TO TRAINING NEW SOLDIERS AND INFLUENCING THE OLD. I AM FOREVER CONSCIOUS OF EACH SOLDIER UNDER MY CHARGE, AND BY EXAMPLE WILL INSPIRE HIM TO THE HIGHEST STAND ¬ ARDS POSSIBLE. I WILL STRIVE TO BE PATIENT, UNDER¬ STANDING, JUST AND FIRM. I WILL COMMEND THE DESERVING AND ENCOURAGE THE WAY¬ WARD. I WILL NEVER FORGET THAT I AM RESPON¬ SIBLE TO MY COMMANDER FOR THE MORALE, DISCIPLINE AND EFFICIENCY OF MY MEN AND THEIR PERFORMANCE WILL REFLECT AN IMAGE

Page 60 text:

I AM THE INFANTRY I am the Infantry—Queen of Battle! I meet the enemy face to face . . . will to will. For two centuries, I have been the bulwark of our Nation’s de¬ fense ... I am the Infantry! Follow me! Both hardship . . . and glory, I have known. My bleeding feet stained the snow at Valley Forge. I pulled an oar to cross the icy Delaware . . . tasted victory at Yorktown . . . and saw our Nation born. At New Orleans, I fought beyond the hostile hour . . . discovered the fury of my long rifle . . . and came of age. I am the Infantry! I pushed westward with the Conestoga . . . and marched with the pioneer across the plains ... to build outposts for freedom on the wild frontier. Follow me! With Scott I went to Vera Cruz . . . battled Santa Anna in the moun¬ tain passes . . . and climbed the high plateau. I planted our flag in the Plaza of Mexico City. From Bull Run to Appomattox my blood ran red. I fought for both the Blue and the Grey . . . divided in conflict, I united in peace . . . I am the Infantry. • J ' : . I left these shores with the sinking of the Maine . . . led the charge up San Juan Hill . . . and fought the Moro—and disease—in the Philippines. Across the Rio Grande, I chased the bandit, Villa. Follow me! At Chateau-Thierry, I went over the top. I stood like a rock on the Marne . . . cracked the Hindenburg Line . . . and broke the back of the Hun in the Argonne. I didn’t come back until it was over, over there.” At Bataan and Corregidor, I bowed briefly, licked my wounds and vowed to return. I invaded Tunisia on the African shore . . . dug my nails into the sand at Anzio . . . and bounced into Rome with a flower in my helmet. The Channel and the hedgerow could not hold me. I pushed back the Bulge” . . . vaulted the Rhine . . . and seized the Heartland. The Thou¬ sand-Year” Reich was dead. From island to island, I hopped the Pacific . . . hit the beaches . . . and chopped my way through swamp and jungle. I kept my vow ... I did re¬ turn ... I set the Rising Sun. In Pusan perimeter I gathered my strength . . crossed the frozen Han . . . marched to the Yalu. Along ther 38th parallel . . . and around the world, I made my stand,. Wherever brave men fight . . . and die, for freedom, you will find me. I am the bulwark of our Nation’s defense. I am always ready . . . now, and forever. I am the Infantry—Queen of Battle! Follow Me! (Reprinted through courtesy of Infantry Magazine) (