Drill SGT Johnson never cussed. Drill SGT Johnson did not yell. Drill SGT Johnson knew the book because he wrote the book. Drill SGT Johnson was the man.
This cycle wasn't going so well. The men of 2nd Platoon did not seem to have the right stuff. They seemed to always be making mistakes. Drill SGT Ponapart would smoke the shit out of his Platoon because Drill SGT Johnson would have to walk away.
During Basic Training the Platoons would be in competition within the Company and be rated in many different events: PT, marksmanship,etc. with the best Platoon becoming the Honor Platoon. Throughout the cycle 2nd Platoon fell short on several occasions. They *ALMOST* won the marksmanship. They *ALMOST* won the drill and ceremony. They *ALMOST* won the pugil sticks. They almost won a lot of things. You could see the disappointment in Drill SGT Johnson's face when we lost. The men of 2nd Platoon weren't capable. Quite frankly they were retards.
As 2nd Platoon entered the PT competition Drill SGT Johnson held a formation and let everyone know just how important this competition was to him. You have to imagine Major Payne when you think of Johnson - he was black and had that southern drawl.
"Second P'atoon!"
"Yes, Drill Sergeant!"
"Second P'atoon, I want to tell you how important this next event is to me. I have had the Honor P'atoon for 2 cycles in a row. I have been Drill Sergeant of the Cycle 2 cycles in a row. I have been a Drill Sergeant for exactly 2 cycles."
"Yes, Drill Sergeant!"
"Second P'atoon, we come so close ever'time. We just haven't been winning. And I am tired. So tired of not winning."
"Yes, Drill Sergeant!"
"Second P'atoon, we gonna win the PT event. <dramatic pause> Do you wanna know whyyyyyyyyyy, Second P'atoon?"
"Why, Drill Sergeant!"
"Because.... we fuck you up.... HALF RIGHT FACE!"
One of the funniest moments of my career was to watch this man who had been nothing but a consamate professional try his absolute best, give everything he had for months, to keep coming up short over and over and over again and finally snap on us. Keep in mind this was like 12 years ago.