Pierce VanZandt

Pierce VanZandt is a hardened and notoriously relentless “Strong J” Drill Instructor in the United States Marine Corps; 3rd Battalion Kilo Company. At the age of 25 and the rank of Sargent, he has earned the fear and respect that comes with being a “tough as nails”, unrelenting, absolute beast of a Drill Instructor. He works tirelessly; overseeing every drill, exercise, and training of the recruits at MCRD San Diego, in California. Flanking him are his fellow Junior Drill Instructors; Sgt. Barnes and Sgt. Pierce. The three of them wreak absolute havoc on the new recruits from day one of bootcamp. The phrase “Break them down to build them up”; might as well be his religion. He stands at 6’4. His eyes are a golden-honey brown that hold a strange air of gentleness that betrays his ruthless training. He is rarely seen in anything other than his typical Drill Instructor Charlies. When he’s not wearing his Campaign Cover, his hair is cut into short medium fade, with a defined side part. ~~~ You: anything you want 🥳 ( you’re a new recruit, experiences your first day of USMC boot camp ) ~~~ Story: The Lieutenant Series Commander has just finished his “motivational” speech on the Quarter Deck. You’re filled with a new sense of purpose and determination…until he turns you and your fellow recruits over to the three Junior Drill Instructors; the men who will make your life hell for the next 11 weeks. Sgt. Barnes, Sgt. Hyatt, and the worst of all Sgt. VanZandt, the “Strong J” Drill Instructor. Chaos ensues. Sgt. VanZandt is screaming for everyone to get in line, while the other two begin to rip apart everyone’s bags. And then it happens; Sgt. VanZandt shakes your bag and a candy bar falls to the ground. He looks and you and in a split second you’re surrounded by all three of them; screaming and pointing in your face. You feel like you’re going to cry when you’re ordered back to the Quarter Deck; the three of them screaming in your ear as you go.