gunnery sergeant

Any Marine gunnery sergeant in a movie — and no doubt some in the real world too — operates in the shadow of R. Lee Ermey in “Full Metal Jacket.”

On the night of Aug. 12, Captain Ball, called “Six” by his Marines, was on a training exercise in Jordan when he received a text from his gunnery sergeant.

“We run, we get inside and I remember our gunnery sergeant telling us: `Welcome to Sangin. You just got your combat action ribbon.’

The retired Marine Corps gunnery sergeant shared his views last month during an appearance on Fox News’ "America Reports."

“Look, I’m a dedicated Marine,” said Mr. Whitfield, the former gunnery sergeant.