Even though I disagree with many of the changes, when I see the

The words “Even though I disagree with many of the changes, when I see the privates graduate at the end of the day, when they walk off that drill field at the end of the ceremony, they are still fine privates; outstanding, well-motivated privates.” spoken by R. Lee Ermey echo the spirit of a soldier and the heart of a teacher. They carry within them not only the discipline of the military but also the humility of one who has seen generations rise under his watch. Beneath their simple phrasing lies a profound truth: that though the world changes — though methods evolve, traditions soften, and times transform — the core of excellence endures. What matters, in the end, is not the form of instruction, but the spirit that it ignites in those who serve.

In the style of the ancients, we may read this as a lesson on continuity and faith in the younger generation. Ermey, himself a Marine Drill Instructor before becoming an actor, speaks from the vantage of experience — one who has witnessed both the ferocity of the old ways and the gentler hand of the new. His words are not complaint but recognition: the world he knew is changing, and yet, the essence of greatness remains unbroken. Though he “disagrees with many of the changes,” he sees that the outcome — the birth of new Marines, standing tall and proud — still bears the mark of the same strength, loyalty, and courage that defined his own time.

This sentiment reaches far beyond the barracks. It is the eternal cry of every generation watching the next take its place. The philosopher Marcus Aurelius once wrote that change is the very nature of life — and that resisting it is like refusing to breathe. Ermey’s acceptance of the new methods, despite his misgivings, reveals that same stoic wisdom. He does not cling to nostalgia; he looks to results. When he sees those “fine, well-motivated privates” marching off the drill field, he knows that the flame of the Marine spirit — discipline, pride, resilience — has not dimmed, even if the torch has been passed in a different way.

There is a story told among the old soldiers of Sparta, where a seasoned warrior once stood watching young recruits train. The new exercises seemed strange to him — less brutal, more measured. But when the day came for battle, those same youths fought with fury and precision, their discipline unwavering. The elder, seeing their valor, said, “It is not the method that makes the soldier, but the heart.” R. Lee Ermey’s words echo this ancient wisdom. For while the tools and tactics of training may evolve, the heart of the warrior — steadfast, loyal, indomitable — remains the same across centuries.

In his life, Ermey embodied this very truth. He rose from humble beginnings, served as a Marine for over a decade, and later brought the authenticity of that service to his role in Full Metal Jacket, immortalizing the stern yet proud spirit of the drill instructor. Yet behind the sharp commands and thunderous tone was a man who believed deeply in the potential of those who came after him. His quote is not the lament of an old soldier, but the blessing of a mentor — a recognition that, even if the world’s rhythm changes, the song of duty still plays true.

This truth applies not only to the military but to all who teach, lead, or build. Change often feels like loss, especially to those who have given their lives to tradition. But as Ermey teaches, the measure of success is not whether the methods remain the same, but whether the results honor the spirit of the past. To resist all change is to stagnate; to embrace all change blindly is to lose direction. Wisdom lies in balance — in judging by the fruit, not the seed.

Dear reader, take this as a lesson of strength and humility. Honor your heritage, but trust the hands that inherit it. If you are of the old guard, guide the new with patience; if you are of the new, carry forward the values that time cannot erase. Do not be so fixed upon the ways of yesterday that you fail to see the greatness of today. For as Ermey reminds us, though the drills may differ, the warriors born from them still stand tall — fine, well-motivated souls, carrying the same fire that lit the hearts of those before them.

Thus, let it be known: true excellence does not vanish with time — it adapts, endures, and reawakens in every generation that dares to serve with honor. And when you see the next wave rise — in your craft, your family, your country — stand as Ermey did: proud, perhaps wistful, but ever faithful in the enduring strength of the human spirit.