Why do we as an Army not treat Senior Drill Sergeant as a Platoon Sergeant position for Infantrymen?

SFC Welch,
Great question, however, Im not not sure I understand it correctly. Your inquiring as to why a SFC, Senior DS is not rated (or viewed) the same as a PSG on the line? If so, Id have to say that statement is in fact incorrect. SDS are given credit on a DA centralized promotion board for that position, so its just as equal to that of a currently serving PSG in the line. Same goes for our Recruiter and AIT PSGs out there. The Army has pulled these folks off the line and asked to not only be a PSG, but be a DS as well. Trust me, these skills are needed and favored strongly upon on the promotion boards.

Having just recently left my BDE at FT Benning, an OSUT BDE, all of my SDS were slotted accordingly, and rated accordingly. It clearly worked, as I had several make the most recent MSG list. As did when I was a BN CSM in TRADOC. Id recommend you clearly set yourself apart from your peers by excelling in your duties as a SDS and do the task no one else wants, like SAMC and possibly induction into the Order of Saint Maurice to name a few.

Others have posted comments, all good as well. Id challenge folks out there to clearly understand the selection criteria that goes into our promotion systems. If you have someone on your installation who has recently sat on a DA centralized promotion board, ask them for notes and tips on your career path. Im always available as well.

I am going to concur with CSM Evans. It has been explained to us by our BN CSM that each platoon's PSG has the title SDS on their ERB, which is true. Also, they are considered Platoon Sergeants no matter what your MOS is. Plus it is Platoon Sergeant leadership time no matter what. Leadership time is leadership time. As far as I am aware of, there is no distinction between combat, garrison, training, etc. If you are in the proper leadership slot, you get credit for it. Of course, I could be wrong or completely misunderstand it, but I don't think you have anything to worry about.

Well, back in the day...early 90s at Fort Knox to be exact, in the OSUT Squadron that I was assigned as an instructor in, I observed what duties the Senior Drill performed. At that time, and in that particular unit, the Senior Drill position was reserved for the DS who was on the trail the longest and who was close to coming off. His duties were more in line with what an XO did, not necessarily what a Scout, or Infantry, Platoon Sergeant did. He was not responsible for training anyone. He was responsible for duties such as scheduling training, resources and deconflicting events.

While that is just an example of a time and place back in the day, I have also talked with numerous NCOs who have served as DSs at other locations and the duty description was similar to that of a platoon sergeant. Their 1SGs and CSMs even went so far as in their duty description block on their NCOER, describe their Senior Drill Sergeant duty description much like a PSG in a TO&E unit.

DS and AIT PSG duties should be coveted and be maintained as one of the top nominative assignments to strive for. They push NCOs to the limit in mental and physical toughness and most times, force them to think outside of the traditional box for so many issues. I would charge raters and senior raters of DSs, SDSs and AIT PSGs to ensure that they are accurately reflecting the job that these NCOs are performing.