R. Lee Ermey knew how to perfectly portray Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in Full Metal Jacket because he was a genuine former U.S. Marine Corps drill instructor himself. Director Stanley Kubrick allowed him to improvise most of the character's famously harsh and authentic dialogue based entirely on his real-world military experience. Credit: @cbc | History In Pictures

In the frozen darkness of the Sierra Nevadas, a decorated Gunnery Sergeant publicly challenges a female Master Sergeant's right to lead. He thinks he knows her limits, but he has no idea what she survived to get here, or the promise she made to a dying man just to earn this day. The words sliced through the frozen air of the equipment bay, sharper than the January morning. “Die now or I’ll make you wish you had.” Gunnery Sergeant Derek Holloway stood at parade rest, but there was no rest in him.

WWII Hero John Basilone – Marine Who Chose Battle Over Fame Did you know? Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone, a legendary WWII Marine, single-handedly held off overwhelming enemy forces at Guadalcanal, earning the Medal of Honor. Refusing fame, he re-enlisted to fight again and led the assault at Iwo Jima, where he was killed in action, earning the Navy Cross. One of the few Marines to receive both top combat honors, his story inspires courage and sacrifice. #reels #reelsfb #fbreels #reelsviral #vir

12K views · 62 reactions | Retired Marine Gunnery Sergeant, Thomas Praxedes’ story is available on the Urban Valor podcast and YT channel 殺 #marines #retired #transition #realworld #inspiration #urbanvalor #urbanvalortv #veteran #story | Urban Valor | Facebook

5.5M views · 110K reactions | Retired Marine First Sergeant, Randall Parkes’ story is available on the Urban Valor Podcast & YouTube channel 落殺#marines #specialops #gunny #afghanistan #urbanvalor #veteran #story | Urban Valor | Facebook

108K views · 3.4K reactions | Retired Marine Gunnery Sergeant, Henry Garcia speaks on his return home from combat in Somalia during the early 90s 礪⚓️Henry’s story is available on the Urban Valor YT channel 殺#marines #combat #somalia #transition #mentalhealth #urbanvalor #military #veteran #story | Urban Valor | Facebook

214K views · 9.1K reactions | Retired Marine Gunnery Sergeant and Navy Cross recipient, Aubrey McDade Jr., weighs in on war and politics. 殺 #marines #war #politics #protect #defend #military #veteran #urbanvalor #story | Urban Valor | Facebook

Retired Marine Force Recon Gunnery Sgt., Ryan Kuperus, recounts training Commandos in Iraq 🪖🦅🌎⚓️Ryan’s story is available on the Urban Valor YT channel 🪖🇺🇸 #marines #recon #commandos #training #urbanvalor #military #veteran #story | Urban Valor