Marine D.I. vs. West Point Drill Team

So, this is a good one. This is the West Point drill team being evaluated by Marine Corps NCO with interesting results. The cadet responds with the Army "Yes Sir" vs. "Aye, Aye Sir"...which earns some "direct fire" from the Marine evaluator. My initial thoughts were that the NCO was attempting to "break" the cadet...ramping up the pressure once he didn't "fall for it" on the first pass. The Marines break off-leaving the cadets, but without dismissing them. The cadets stand to. The Marine NCO comes back once more, and orders the cadet to read the evaluation line stating "Aye, Aye Sir", which the cadet immediately obeys. Up to that point, I'm thinking, "great show guys"...expecting the NCO to order him back into line, to complete the evolution. Personally, it all looks like an outstanding NCO testing the cadets on their ability to remain cool under fire, and mentally sharp. I didn't see a moment of disrespect from the cadets...and I was looking for it...and despite the sustained "wrath", the Marines look in control at every step.

Then...things seemed to get "real", and the clip cuts off (go figure).


I wish the rest of the clip was available, so we can see how the "stand off" ended...I'd be left a little down in the mouth if the last "walk away" was the end of the story. This isn't a cadet and an NCO from a sister service meeting on a walkway. It's not even a very junior officer interacting with that NCO in an operational capacity-It's a parade ground, and an evaluation. So, for all intensive purposes, the cadet has to presume the Marine is attempting to "catch" him. Likewise, I'd assume (we all know what that means) that an NCO of this caliber would know that refusing to say, "Aye, Aye Sir" vs. "Yes Sir" is part of the cadet's training, and certainly not a sign of personal disrespect.

So what are your thoughts? Is this an excellent example of training, a comical misunderstanding, or a case of one or the other being "in the wrong"?