Posted on Dec 11, 2013
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I've heard rumors that at Drill Sergeant school they now are teaching Drills to be soft. I can't find any info on the official site, obviously they wont publicize that. Are there any Drill Sergeants on RallyPoint that can address this?

I am looking to make Drill Sergeant one of my steps in my career, as you need some sort of separation from peers to make your 7. I am really interested in Drill Sergeant School, however I am not pleased with the stuff I have been hearing about no knife hands and not being able to call Privates...well PRIVATES! 

I'm not wanting to abuse incoming soldiers but, if there's no breakdown of civilian to soldier i.e. "Shark Attacks" then what is the point of even attending Army BCT?
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Responses: 16
1SG Michael Blount
The abuses of a few have led to softening of the many.  Being Old School, I still refer to Basic Trainees as Private. I refuse to acknowledge them as Warriors.  In most casees, they haven't even passed their first APFT or qualified.  We're not allowed to call them "crack babies" anymore, and that's in keeping with the generally relaxed BCT standards.  I wonder how many of these Privates we're going to end up planting because we couldn't wash out the idiots during BCT. 
SPC Forward Observer
SPC (Join to see)
>1 y
Okay, that makes sense. Thank you for the clarification 1SG
1SG Michael Blount
1SG Michael Blount
>1 y
SPC - that's ok. Better to make the mistake now when the stakes aren't so high as later, when they are.
SFC Stephen Hester
SFC Stephen Hester
>1 y
Top, my son graduated from BCT a couple of years ago and I seem to recall that they were called "Privates" by their Drill Sergeants. I haven't heard the term "Warrior" used in that context. I'm partial to "Private"; they are not Warriors yet.
SGT John Ball
SGT John Ball
>1 y
My Drill would have smoked the everliving hell out of me for saying "Yeah." Discipline is a mainstay of Basic Training.
MSG Paralegal Specialist

I've said it before and I will say it again. I remember standing in line outside the DFAC at Parade Rest, no talking, no looking around, waiting to go in. Once you were through the line, you sat down, you ate, you left. There was no sitting back in your chair, relaxing, shooting the breeze with your buddies. If you looked up it was because you were done eating. I remember having to EARN phone privileges. You stood in line, facing the opposite direction, you stood at Parade Rest silent and waited your turn. When it was your turn you got 10 minutes. If anyone in line was caught talking or BSing then the whole platoon lost that privilege until they EARNED it again. Those that were on the phone simply said goodbye or I have to go and hung up. 

 

There was no walking around with your cell phone, or smoking, or any of that. That's where I think we have gone soft. New recruits aren't treated like Soldiers they're treated like it's college or summer camp. I don't blame Drill Sergeants for the way things are I blame the system. These new recruits don't get that harsh wake up that they are now in the military like we did. I'm not saying let the Drills smoke the life out of new Soldiers, but definitely make them earn what they get. The reason they don't act like Soldiers is because they aren't made to.

 

We wrote letters by hand if we wanted to talk to someone at home. If you received candy, cookies, or some other junk in the mail sorry it went away. At the end of the day there was no going outside to talk to our buddies and enjoy the evening air. You were in your bay and you weren't laying down on your bunk until lights out either. I do believe that Drill Sergeants should have a little more freedom in how they deal with Soldiers, but within reason. My Drill Sergeants (DS George, DS Stunkard, and DS Meehan) were never abusive, or mean, or anything like that, but you better believe that they would jack you up in a heart beat and smoke your bags until you puked. My Drill Sergeants TRAINED us to be Soldiers, they didn't baby us, or give us a time out if our little feelings got hurt. As I recall they told us that the Army didn't issue us feelings. They kick our butts when we screwed up and patted us on the back when we did something good. They taught is respect for our superiors and for our peers. We were Privates so we didn't have subordinates. By the way, when in the hell did being called by your rank become demeaning? If you are a PVT, PV2, or PFC guess what YOU'RE A PRIVATE!    

SFC Bus Driver
SFC (Join to see)
>1 y

Agreed well said SFC.

 

SFC(P) Infantryman
SFC(P) (Join to see)
>1 y
As a current DS I will tell you this. Rules are still in effect. While pay phones are not really used anymore, the Soldiers will not get phone privelages with their cell phones until they earn them. 2130, lights out everyone is in their racks and lockers are locked or their will be consequences. Everyone writes letters home if they want to communicate with their families. Standing in line for anything is the same as it always has been, chow is the same as it always has been, no talking, get your food, eat, and if you look around, your done. There are still some of us out here upholding the standards.
1SG Michael Blount
1SG Michael Blount
>1 y
I tell my BCT people that they earn everything after 3 hots and a cot. They've tested and found that I meant it. When they leave my Company, they know they're ready for AIT.
SFC Infantryman
There is only one way to find out what really goes on in training at the Drill Sergeant School! I am currently serving as a Drill Sergeant Leader and believe me, we do not disclose ANYTHING in terms of what we train. However, if your are looking to "make your 7" you may want to re-evaluate yourself and begin to think not about you but the Soldiers you may be training. The bottom line is, our future Soldiers deserve nothing but the BEST and that is what we try to develop at The USADSS. We all listen to what folks have to say about their experiences and that is not a bad thing. However, take a close look at the sources of information to evaluate and maybe you'll find links between performance and dissatisfaction. If that's the case seek advise from others specifically those who have been or are Drill Sergeants!
1SG Michael Blount
1SG Michael Blount
>1 y
Excellent point, SSG, and one well worth re-iterating. These days, becoming a DS is one of the few ways one can stand head and shoulders above the crowd

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