Marine drill instructor wins big on ‘Price is Right’

Courtesy Photo | Company G drill instructors participate on "Price is Right," Nov. 30.  

SAN DIEGO, CA, UNITED STATES

01.24.2012

Story by Sgt. Whitney N. Frasier 

Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego     

SAN DIEGO – The Price is Right has came a long way since 1956 when the popular television game show first aired. More than 50-years later, the show is still a big hit, hosted by Drew Carey and recently featuring Marine Corps drill instructors.

A few months ago 22 drill instructors from Company G, 2nd Battalion, left their campaign covers and belts in the duty hut to take a well deserved break after completing a 90-day training cycle to participate on the show that aired Jan. 16.

“It was a good time,” said Staff Sgt. Godfrey Guevarra, chief drill instructor. “I think we all had a lot of fun.”

For Staff Sgt. Anthony Glenn II, memories and fun wasn’t all he left with. Glenn, chief drill instructor, has always been a little crazy according to his peers. It wasn’t shocking to him that he would land an imperative role to represent Company G on the show.

“They interviewed each of us individually for about 45 seconds,” said Glenn. “They just asked us basic questions such as what we liked to do and things of that nature.”

First Sgt. Robert Ixtlahuac, company first sergeant, explained that it was his crazy dance he during the cast call that got him chosen as a contestant, but Glenn argued that it was his eccentric personality that did the trick.

Either way Glenn took center stage that day, winning the first round by bidding on a diamond bracelet and guessing the value exactly right.

“After I did that I had to bid on a Scion xB,” said Glenn. “I was down to the last couple of numbers and would have won if first sergeant and the group of Marines didn’t tell me to pick four instead of two.”

Making it through the entire show with little minor errors, Glenn was given the opportunity to attempt to guess the price of the Showcase Showdown. On this particular day, the showcase consisted of an all-expenses-paid trip to London, a sterling silver tea set and a Kia Soul.

“When I made my bid I was six grand under,” said Glenn. “At that point I pretty much thought I lost.”

However, his competition over estimated, disqualifying her from winning.

“I was really excited,” said Glenn. “It was written all over my face.”

His success came to no surprise after looking back at his achievements prior to the show. Glenn is a successful businessman as an owner of an accomplished reality company. Due to this, Glenn has had plenty of experience in the sales industry giving him an advantage on the show that he feels the other contestants didn’t have.

“I think guessing the right answers definitely had a lot to do with my shopping habits,” said Glenn, Atlanta.

This isn’t the first time Company G has stole the show. Last year, the company participated in the game and another drill instructor took home the prizes, leaving them 2-0.

• Date Taken: 01.24.2012
• Date Posted: 01.24.2012 11:13
• Story ID: 82760
• Location: SAN DIEGO, CA, US