Welcome to the inspiring world of R. Lee Ermey, a man whose profound words resonate far beyond the silver screen. Renowned for his roles in iconic films such as Full Metal Jacket and Saving Silverman, Ermey wasn’t just an actor; he was a force of nature, leaving an indelible mark on cinema and culture. His commanding presence, coupled with an unwavering dedication to his craft, earned him the admiration of audiences worldwide.
Beyond his acting prowess, Ermey’s legacy endures through his poignant and thought-provoking quotes. Whether delivering raw, unfiltered truths or instilling a sense of discipline and determination, his words have the power to ignite passion and motivation in all who encounter them. From reflections on military service to insights into the human condition, R. Lee Ermey’s quotes offer a glimpse into the mind of a true iconoclast. Explore the wisdom of this legendary figure below and let his words inspire, uplift, and propel you forward in your own journey.
The best part about the movie, and everybody seems to rave about it, is the boot camp part. R. Lee Ermey
For me, it’s an honor for the military to ask me to go to Iraq, Afghanistan, or GITMO. I’m happy to go. R. Lee Ermey
Playing the good guy is tough because you know as well as I do, in real life, you have to watch your P’s and Q’s and conduct yourself in a respectable manner if you expect to have friends. R. Lee Ermey
You’d be surprised how many kids and young people come to the website and send me email that they are actually going into the Marine Corp because of something that I said or did. R. Lee Ermey
I honestly do feel that I am a role model for young people. R. Lee Ermey
The biggest problem was the politicians knew nothing about fighting a war. R. Lee Ermey
I’ve never had to spend any time in the VA hospital, so I really can’t speak for those guys. R. Lee Ermey
There have been a lot of changes in recruit training in the past twenty years. R. Lee Ermey
I always love to come to Austin. R. Lee Ermey
I hate to hear ‘Less is more.’ It’s a crock of crap. R. Lee Ermey
Without discipline, there is no Marine Corps. R. Lee Ermey
I was stationed at a marine recruit depot in San Diego from 1965 to 1967. R. Lee Ermey
I got space from Travis Air Force Base, went back to the Philippine Islands and made it a point to meet the only American casting director in the Philippines. I was off and running. R. Lee Ermey
I’m never, like I say, I’m never happy, I’m never satisfied, it’s never good enough. R. Lee Ermey
It’s my firm conviction that when Uncle Sam calls, by God we go, and we do the best that we can. R. Lee Ermey
Drill instructors worked seven days a week, fifteen to seventeen hours a day in many cases, with no time off in between platoons. R. Lee Ermey
I got to write most of everything I said. R. Lee Ermey
Kubrick’s films have life – they just never die. R. Lee Ermey
It’s been a pretty fun ride, to tell you the truth. R. Lee Ermey
I firmly believe that you live and learn, and if you don’t learn from past mistakes, then you need to be drug out and shot. R. Lee Ermey
Everybody respects the Vietnam Veterans of America. R. Lee Ermey
Back in those days intimidation was the greatest tool the drill instructor had. Without that tool, he would not have had control. R. Lee Ermey
I go the VA Hospital when I have a problem and the doctor jumps on me. R. Lee Ermey
I disagree with a lot of those changes, however at the end of the day – I go down to recruit graduation at least once or twice a year. R. Lee Ermey
I spend a lot of time with my characters. R. Lee Ermey
Kubrick ate it up. He loved it. He just let me go crazy. R. Lee Ermey
America’s trying to do the best for its veterans. R. Lee Ermey
That’s all I cared about too, was getting it right. R. Lee Ermey
When you try to find funding for a VVA function, it doesn’t seem like it’s any trouble at all. People come out of the woodwork with their money to help out because we went over and fought a war. R. Lee Ermey
Back in the old Corp, we weren’t training those privates to infiltrate into the peacetime Marine Corp. We were training those privates to go to Vietnam. R. Lee Ermey
I don’t have to be concerned about everybody else’s character. R. Lee Ermey
We had times in ’66 and ’67 when we would pick up a platoon of privates out of the receiving barracks the week before we even graduated the platoon that we were on! R. Lee Ermey
The drill instructor must have total and complete control. Mindless obedience is what he’s after. R. Lee Ermey
Communications are better now than in my Vietnam days. R. Lee Ermey
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. R. Lee Ermey
Every character I’ve ever played, I always try to take him right to the edge and not allow him to fall over, but directors have a tendency to pull me back a little bit. R. Lee Ermey
The bad news motivated the drill instructors that much more. R. Lee Ermey
There was a huge, tremendous amount of disabled veterans and the Veteran’s Administration just wasn’t geared up for it. I know for a fact that it’s getting better and better. R. Lee Ermey
In order to be a good actor, I’m a firm believer that you need to bring something to the table. R. Lee Ermey
There’s a lot of whiners in every crowd. R. Lee Ermey
I play well with everybody. R. Lee Ermey
I don’t have any respect at all for the scum-bags who went to Canada to avoid the draft or to avoid doing their fair share. R. Lee Ermey
I try to get over to Iraq and Afghanistan as much as I can. R. Lee Ermey
