ERIC M. JUKELEVICS

Gunnery Sgt. Robert Allen Moore stands with his "Outstanding Drill Instructor" award yesterday for being voted the best assistant Marine officer instructor by his 16 peers and higher-ranking officers. "I was surprised, because you really think that as a drill instructor, you don't think you did anything special to deserve recognition," Moore said.

Tuesday August 28, 2001 |

Two members of Marine ROTC received awards in July and August for participating in a six-week training camp for potential marine officers in Quantico, Va. this summer.

In July, Sgt. Bill Whaley, a Marine in the Reserve Officer Training Corps, received three out of four possible awards presented to the company of 240 cadets from across the United States in the Officer Candidate School. The honors were for having the highest academic average, the highest average level of physical fitness and for being the best overall graduate out of his class. His academic, physical and leadership average was over 97 percent.

"It was challenging," said Whaley, a psychology junior, of the Officer Candidate School. He prepared for the summer by taking a class as well as experienced garnered through the Marine Corps.

Gunnery Sgt. Robert Allen Moore echoes Whaley's sentiments.

Moore observed while candidates ran obstacle courses, stamina courses, combat courses, ran in formation and timed tests, did "Tarzan," or elevated obstacle courses without being tied in and took physical fitness tests that included pull-ups, sit-ups and a three-mile timed run. Completing the three-mile run in good time was doing it in less than 19 minutes, Moore said.

Candidates also took academic and leadership tests designed to help them lead platoons of 60 people.

Out of 240 officer candidates chosen for the program, 220 graduated, Whaley said.

"It's a sink or swim situation," he added, saying candidates could expect 2-3 hours of sleep per night for the six weeks of training.

Moore, a non-degree seeking University of Arizona student, and Marine received the "Outstanding Drill Instructor" award Aug. 17 for being voted the best assistant Marine officer instructor by his 16 peers and higher-ranking officers.

It was Moore's job to "observe and evaluate (the candidates') potential to be future officers."

As the drill instructors were called up on the parade deck for recognition at the end of the summer, Moore unexpectedly heard his name called again.

He stepped forward and the general in the program handed him his certificate.

"I was surprised, because you really think that as a drill instructor, you don't think you did anything special to deserve recognition," Moore said. "The members in my (local) unit congratulated me, but for my wife it's just another award."

"This (the recognition) is really key for us," said Ray Wiles, ROTC public affairs officer. "We have two of the top individuals in the country. We're very impressed to have individuals of this caliber in our program."

Tomorrow Whaley and Moore will be recognized by their unit for the awards they have received.

Whaley will also be in charge of preparing those ROTC members who are chosen for Officer Candidate School this spring.

After college, Whaley said he will have "higher" aspirations.

"I want to fly an F-18 (jet)," Whaley said.

However, while Whaley is just beginning his military career, Moore is planning the end of his.

"I've got 18 years in the Marine Corps, and I'm considering retirement after 20," he said.

Moore said he would then like to return to his hometown of Los Angeles and become a police officer.

"I'm looking forward to being one of the boys in blue out there in L.A.," he said.