R. Lee Ermey Biography

Fast Facts

• Served in the USMC from 1961 to 1972, and was given an honorary promotion to Gunnery Sergeant in 2002
• Also received multiple service awards, including the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm
• Moved to Manila after retiring from the service and appeared in several Filipino TV ads and motion pictures
• Was initially hired to be a consultant on Full Metal Jacket but after Stanley Kubrick watched his instructional tapes, he decided Ermey was right for the role of Gunnery Sergeant Hartman
• Refers to his wife as "Mrs
• Gunny" on his show Lock N Load with R
• Lee Ermey
• Has served as a board member of the National Rifle Association