PepperDaddler, Six drill instructors are graded on different drills with their battalion and whoever scores the highest is the "High Hat." My son scored a 96 out of 100. Drill Instructors are refered to as 2nd hat, 3rd hat, 4th hat, etc in their position in the Battalion under the Senior Drill Instructor so that is why the highest scoring DI in the initial drill is called, "High Hat."