Maybe you're right about your shadow remark, but I can't help but think the current members ( and hopefully the future) take as much pride in their drills as we did 30 or gasp 50 years ago. That being said, I hear all about the changes in the Corps, and I can't help but think individual motivation methods have changed. I want to think there's a lot more positive incentive than in my day.
Unlike thousands of other FTAB members over the years, as a fish, I had a little trouble with the footwork on the countermarch. Wednesday practice before our first drill Tom R. '67, our right guide, told me "fish W. you screw that up one more time and you don't march Saturday". No question in my mind that he meant it. Of course the drum sophomores had another idea and they threw a party for me in the drum room to work on my upper body strength. What that had to do with footwork, I still wonder. I doubt it happens that way today.
The person that is not willing to fight and die, if need be, for his country has no right to life.
James Earl Rudder '32
January 31, 1945