English

Noun

drill instructor ‎(plural drill instructors)

Staff Sgt K.L. Zetina bellowing cadence

1. (US) The generic term for the principal instructor of fresh military recruits undergoing basic training in the various branches of the United States military, routinely abbreviated to the initialism DI; always filled by enlisted personnel (a sergeant or petty officer).

   Army: drill sergeant

   Navy: recruit division commander

   Marine Corps: drill instructor

   Air Force: military training instructor

   Coast Guard: company commander