Many real-life Marines are extras in the movie.
The ribbons Jack Webb wears on his dress uniform are from top to bottom and left to right are:
First Row: Navy Cross;
Second Row: Navy Commendation, Bronze Star, Navy Presidential Unit Citation;
Third Row: Purple Heart, Good Conduct, China Service;
Fourth Row: American Defense Service, American Campaign, Asiatic Pacific Campaign;
Fifth Row: Victory Medal World War II, World War II Occupation, National Defense;
Sixth Row: Korean Service, United Nations Korean Service, Korean Presidential Unit Citation.
During the 80's this movie was played to recruits on MCRD Parris Island.
At one point while Sgt. Moore and the captain are arguing, the captain dismissively speaks of Owens needing "lace removed from his panties." Jack Webb lobbied, in vain, to have that line removed or changed, because the word "panties" embarrassed him.
Jack Webb as drill instructor Jim Moore was shown in opening credits as a Tech Sergeant, a rank that no longer exists. Technical sergeant was a rank in the United States Marine Corps until 1958. From 1941 until 1946, the rank was equivalent to grade 2, ranking with gunnery sergeant and other technical ranks with which it shared its insignia. From 1947 until 1958, the rank was reclassified as E-6 and became the sole rank in this grade. The rank was renamed gunnery sergeant and elevated to E-7 after the reorganization of grades in 1959.