Can a Drill sergeant search you and only you without permission?

2019-03-20T22:43:10-04:00

I’m here at AIT and I have this drill sergeant that absolutely hates everything me and another person in our platoon does the first 2 weeks we did get off on the wrong hand but I just wasn’t use to the freedom coming fresh out of basic I told her that and I’ve been staying under the radar for a while but she just looks for any and everything to chow us out about or give us a counseling so today we had a random room expectation and our rooms got trashed me and the guy she hates also so what she did was thrower everything out our drawers and brought the females to our room and told them that this is how we live and we’re dirty so she took our phones and a couple more guys I gave her a phone but she said I had more than one phone so she made me open my locker and searched through my bags in my locked locker with no permission and found a old phone I was wrong for not turning it in but everyone is telling me to go talk to my 1Sgt because it wasn’t right how I was the only one that got searched and she was never given permission to search any of my personal belongings she just decided to and made me open my locker should I talk to my first sergeant about this? Or is this just something I should just deal with 8 more weeks because I think she is trying to get me put out and I can’t take it

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2019 10:49 PM

2019-03-20T22:49:50-04:00

Unless it was health in wellness she had to right to go to your secured locker

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2019 10:53 PM

2019-03-20T22:53:58-04:00

You should definitely report this to the 1SG, especially tell the 1SG you kept a phone you were required to turn in.
Keep your room squared away, and go back and read up a bit on Army Values and the UCMJ.
Your DS doesn't hate your or anyone else. It's likely your behavior, such as not keeping your room clean, and disobeying a lawful order. This behavior would lead an experienced DS to believe there is other behavior. This behavior goes against good order and discipline.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2019 11:08 PM

2019-03-20T23:08:21-04:00

1SG Private RallyPoint Member have some good advice. I’d also check your commanders barracks policy letter. They should be easy to find as they are required to be accessible to the public. Just don’t do anything stupid and follow all orders then report up. If she tells you to tie your boot laces together. The expectation is you tell the next person in your chain of command but they will expect you to have your bootlaces tied together.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2019 11:27 PM

2019-03-20T23:27:12-04:00

So, what you're saying is that your DS caught you doing what you weren't supposed to do, apparently more than once based on your comment about not being used to the freedom? On top of that, you believe that your DS is like a police officer who can only search her barracks (the ones you're staying in, and she's responsible for keeping safe and clean) when there's legal probable cause?
It sounds like you've been talking to the barracks lawyers too much.
You got caught doing what you weren't supposed to do. Then you made yourself a target and confirmed your DS' suspicions by becoming a repeat offender. All you've managed to do is confirm to your leadership that you are not capable of maintaining the same level of discipline and standards as your peers. There's an old saying in the Army, "90% of your time is taken up by dealing with 10% of your Soldiers". You've identified yourself early on as the repeat offender 10%.

If you can't take it, feel free to go talk to the 1SG. Tell them how you did, in fact break the rules, but it's not fair that you were targeted because.... Reasons.... I'm sure that 1SG will condone your actions with a complimentary Article 15 so that you feel more fairly treated.

Also, you're writing in English, your job will soon be to write memos and correspondence to commanders, XOs, and other officers. Learn how to use punctuation and write correctly.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2019 4:28 AM

2019-03-21T04:28:51-04:00

This was one loooooong sentence followed by one short sentence. I had to read and re-read it three times just to be sure I am understanding the issue.

1) "the first 2 weeks we did get off on the wrong hand but I just wasn’t use to the freedom coming fresh out of basic": You dumped your military bearing and discipline and did something you were supposed to and got in trouble. Making yourself a target
2) "I’ve been staying under the radar for a while but she just looks for any and everything to chow us out about or give us a counseling": Clearly you have not been staying under the radar.
3) "we had a random room expectation and our rooms got trashed": Your room would not have been trashed had your room been squared away in the first place. Also, didn't your barracks in Basic get destroyed after inspections because people did't do what they were supposed to do? Same thing only on a smaller scale. I'm betting dollars to pesos your room got the tornado treatment because it wasn't to standard and was shown to the other Soldiers as an example as to what will happen if the standard is not met.
4) You broke the rules about having an additional phone. How do you forget you had an additional phone? That is in YOUR personal bag?

Sure, go ahead and speak with your 1SG but be sure to tell the WHOLE story to include details about how you kept a dirty room, broke rules, and had an unauthorized phone. You established yourself as a problem child pretty much right off the bat and are now suffering the consequences. Own up and man up. Seriously, quit talking to the Barracks lawyers because you are getting bad intel. Your DS knew you had an additional phone (which is against the rules/policies of the company if I understood your rant properly) and ordered you to open your locker so that she can search and secure it. Nothing illegal that I can tell. But, if you want confirmation, I am certain that there are Company Policy Letters posted stating what can and can't be done in regards to wall locker inspections. If you want to have a better time while in AIT, I suggest you perform/conduct a cranial-rectal extraction procedure, start following the rules to the letter, do what you are supposed to be doing and I guarantee that your DS will ease it up on you and begin to focus on a different problem Soldier. Also, (I'm asking this more out of curiosity) why in the world did you TAG the categories of MAJ, Brig Gen and Cadet 1SG in your post?

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2019 5:26 AM

2019-03-21T05:26:47-04:00

Army Regulation 735-5

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2019 5:40 AM

2019-03-21T05:40:30-04:00

Just think prior to social media recruits would call home with their problems. I feel like an old grandpa or a fat uncle answering the phone when I'm reading this. This is the part when your "mom" hands me the phone and says, "can you say something, you were in the army?" Then I'll take the phone and say something like, "hey bud, so you're old job at Walmart is waiting for you if things aren't working out" and hang up.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2019 6:19 AM

2019-03-21T06:19:33-04:00

Just share this lost with your DS and then go to your 1SG.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Mar 21 at 2019 9:00 AM

2019-03-21T09:00:09-04:00

Oh young troop...first off, a Drill Sergeant doesn't need your permission to open your wall locker. Your wall locker is an inspectable item. If the Drill Sergeant wants to see what is in your wall locker, he or she has every right to tell you to the pop the lock. It's part of the process of learning the Army way. Then, you had an unauthorized item that you knew was wrong to have. If I was your Drill Sergeant and I knew you had a history of run-ins, I too would show you more love. I'd be in your room daily looking for things and finding something would only ramp me up more. If I were in your shoes, I would bust my fourth point of contact and get myself on course. The fewer reasons you give an NCO to be in your face, the less they will be in your face. I think the Drill Sergeant acted well within her duties and responsibilities.

Response by SFC Jim Ruether made Mar 21 at 2019 9:17 AM

2019-03-21T09:17:55-04:00

Man are you the definition of stupid! Do you honestly think the rules in your bay or your training platoon are for someone else and not you? You deserve everything that DI is going to give you. They are not picking on you, they are trying to make you see that you are important as a team member and not an individual. Get rid of all this "me" and "I" crap you keep referring to. Your friends are not your friends if they are telling you to go over your DI's head to the 1st Sgt. Your DI obviously had reason to look in your locker and found the phone you were hiding. Why not spend the additional effort to make that DI proud of you instead of trying to get by all the time? You could be excelling and instead are trying to cheat the system. Grow Up!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2019 9:36 AM

2019-03-21T09:36:31-04:00

Good time to sit back a re-evaluate life PVT. This is simple, you were tore up, your DS is getting you on the right path. Army values young one, integrity sound familiar? If you are doing the right thing your stuff won't get tossed and your wall locker won't be searched.

I once had my entire room thrown out a second story window because I didn't make sure my battle was squared away, notice how I said "once". Learn from it and move on.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2019 9:51 AM

2019-03-21T09:51:27-04:00

I'm going to go with the premise that you are a young troop, new to the Army, looking for legitimate advice and not sharpshooting from the internet mob.
If you think you were done wrong in this situation, there is a chain-of-command for that. There are also outside CoC forms of redress, such as the IG, but I would caution you to use the CoC first.
Yes, by regulation the DS can toss your locker. He/she does not need probable cause, as your living space and everything in it are inspectable items at any time. Not that it matters, since the DI DID have probable cause since you had previous infractions. Turns out, their suspicions were correct. You might want to ask yourself how the DS found out about you having a phone. Hint: not everyone in your platoon likes you.
Having said that...
If you can't take it for two months, the Army is not for you. We tell you to do things you don't want to do; even dangerous things that might cause you bodily harm or death. We have rules you are expected to follow, and if you don't your property might get confiscated. You might even find yourself getting called on the carpet to explain yourself, but not really since it is a one way conversation, where an authority figure will chew you out for not following orders and take away your money, your rank, maybe even your job.

Look. I have been doing this for 26 years, and I figured a couple things out. If you show up in my formation, I don't know you from Adam at first, except insofar as you get there on time and in the right uniform. Troops on the radar are there because they did something to get on the radar. Do what you are told, get there on time, and be ready to train and we will get along smashingly. Get in my crosshairs by doing the wrong thing, try to barracks lawyer me, and break rules blatantly and repeatedly and we will not get along. It will go poorly for you, because I have lots of stripes and you do not.
It has nothing to do with "liking" you or not. It has everything to do with are you a disciplined member of a team that I can depend upon in combat or not.

My advice is simple. Shut up, ruck up, and follow the rules. You only have to manage that for two more months and you graduate and move on in your Army life. Then you get a fresh start with someone that you are not on the radar for and you can be the Soldier that we all want in our team.

For the love of Christ, know that your internet comments are seen by all, and live on long after this storm blows over. There is a fair to middling chance that your Social Media is being monitored, so do not incriminate yourself further by showing your ass to the world in a quest for support/ sympathy. All the internet support in the world and likes on facebook plus a bag of potato chips gets you a bag of potato chips and an Article 15.
Your post above also makes it abundantly clear that you did not learn your lesson and used yet another banned cell phone to post to RP. I would reconsider my priorities, if I were you.

You can listen to me or not. After all, I'm old and just don't understand the hell that is AIT these days. Most comments you will get on this thread will be more blunt, maybe even hostile and unhelpful. I am really trying to help you, if you will take the time to read, heed, and make the adjustment.
Good luck, PVT Private RallyPoint Member . I hope you figure out what will be your best path forward.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2019 10:44 AM

2019-03-21T10:44:54-04:00

To my knowledge your general locker a DS has the right to inspect at any time, you are a soldier in training under the supervision of a Drill Sergeant. Hell when I was in AIT the unit next to us had two Drill Sergeants nicknamed the Terminator and Cyborg, I woke up one morning and that platoon had not cleaned their bay, those Sergeants had them remove every bed, locker etc out into the quad between our building and theirs and set the beds etc and sleep out in the quad until they had that bay stripped and cleaned, floors waxed.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2019 12:40 PM

2019-03-21T12:40:23-04:00

Hahahahahhahaha

Response by PO2 David Ball made Mar 21 at 2019 7:42 PM

2019-03-21T19:42:41-04:00

SINCE WEN ON AMY MILTIARY BASSE D

Response by PO2 David Ball made Mar 21 at 2019 7:47 PM

2019-03-21T19:47:39-04:00

I guess all caps monster caught me.. So SINCE WHEN ARE YOU OR ANYONE ALLOWED THE RIGHT TO GIVE PERMISSION TO BE SEARCHED... ON A MILITARY BASE??? THE SECOND YOU SET FOOT ON THAT BASE !!! You are a meathead for even thinking you had any rights under the Bill of Rights.....
Will someone with authority investigate this person and see if they are real. If so give them a swift kick in the pants and escort them off base.... With a BCD!!!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2019 10:34 PM

2019-03-21T22:34:08-04:00

Lol is this a troll? You can’t be serious.. guy you have rights, but not when you mess up... you put a target on your back yourself

Response by SPC Dan Kissling made Mar 22 at 2019 2:32 AM

2019-03-22T02:32:33-04:00

Deal with it private, you haven't earned the right for privacy yet. SMH SMH

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2019 8:16 AM

2019-03-22T08:16:46-04:00

The answer to your question is "YES". You are in training, you are in AIT. You are subject to any reasonable search while in the military. If your leadership feels they need to inspect your room for contraband, they have not only the right, but the duty to do so. It's their job.

Response by MSG Pedro Soto made Mar 22 at 2019 9:12 AM

2019-03-22T09:12:04-04:00

I served as an infantry Drill Sgt. Our basic and ait consisted of 14 weeks back to back, you were living in my house for the duration. In the army, a soldier must face consequences, if you screwed up, you pay the price. If a soldier can't follow directions at the start of their careers then they will have problems later on. A drill Sgt can perform a health and welfare inspection at any time, without notice, mostly looking for contraband or any unathorized items. My suggesting will be to request to speak with the 1sgt, explain the situation and present your case. Coming across as "they don't like me or they are picking on me" is not very legitimately. They are just trying to ensure that you are army material. We all make mistakes, just go with the flow and do as you are told. Don't let a small mistake in basic or ait dictate your career path. Learn from your mistake and do the right thing. Hang in there and Good luck.

Response by SFC Jim Ruether made Mar 22 at 2019 11:36 AM

2019-03-22T11:36:11-04:00

By the way for your information, I attended OSUT or "One station Unit Training" if you don't know what it is? I attended my Basic and AIT in Ft. Sill Oklahoma. I took Manual (Charts and Darts) and then an Automated Gunnery Course to be a 13E Fire Direction Control Soldier. So I know what its like to be attending both and the stresses you can face as this MOS is very technical.

My dad taught me to do everything I am asked to do to the best of my ability. He was an NCO in the Army and told me the best way to avoid confrontations with my DI is to do what is expected of me and more if I am able. Just doing enough might get you killed so its to your best interest to do it right or better than everyone else.

A decorated Navy Seal was addressing a graduating class at the Naval Academy and he asked his audience what they thought was the most important thing to learn at the academy? Several things were called out and all of them were wrong. he told them it was making their bed. The Naval Academy started with the basics and figured if you can't make your rack the way they show you, you probably won't be able to learn anything else. Pretty silly but its a fact. Turn this mess you are in into a positive experience for both you and your DI and get your shit together.

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2019 1:04 PM

2019-03-22T13:04:57-04:00

The comments below address everything I wanted to say and more. PVT, I will just add this; you are obviously young and feel that you are being treated unfairly. First, as mentioned before, social media is not your friend. I applaud you to reaching out to senior folks in a form like this but I caution you in how you state your case and where you comduct your complaining. All the comments thus far have been constructive; I would read what others have written carefully. I do not believe your DI hates you. Your DI sees you as someone who has violated the rules on multiple occasions; so if course you’re on the radar. Your DI has seen many like you come before. It’s their job to correct the problems they see, or help you figure out whether the military is right for you. You’ve got two months to correct yourself. If you do make these corrections it will be noticed (you are being watched more closely). Best of luck. I hope you can be successful in the career you’ve chosen. Learn from your mistakes and grow.

Response by TSgt Mike Rumage made Mar 22 at 2019 1:07 PM

2019-03-22T13:07:10-04:00

What???? Who has cell phones in basic???? It's not as if they aren't the scourge of the earth OUTSIDE BT, you want to bring it inside with you to distract you??? Geez, what happened to polishing your boots to take up spare time. Here's a thought, mail it home. BE IN BASIC TRAINING and learn what you can while you are there.
OOppsss missed the AIT....kept seeing Drill Sergeant. Having said that, everything I said stands. We have been lead to believe that we cannot exist without one of those G** D*** phones. Show your leadership you have better things to do than whatever you do on that thing. You want to excel? Put. the. phone. down.

Response by GySgt Kenneth Pepper made Mar 22 at 2019 4:33 PM

2019-03-22T16:33:11-04:00

1. You brought this on yourself by choosing to break the rules.
2. If you quit f*cking up this will eventually blow over. Trust me, someone else will make themselves the new target quickly enough.
3. Stop looking for excuses.
4. If you can't take 8 weeks of being forced to live by simple rules you are never going to make it.
5. The 1SGT will likely throat punch you if you go to him with this BS.

Response by SGT Mark Rhodes made Mar 23 at 2019 4:10 PM

2019-03-23T16:10:47-04:00

Welcome to the Army. You are a soldier. Be one.

Response by MSgt J D McKee made Mar 23 at 2019 6:06 PM

2019-03-23T18:06:02-04:00

WTF will you do when people you never met are trying to kill you with guns?

Response by MSG Steve Avery made Mar 25 at 2019 11:15 AM

2019-03-25T11:15:14-04:00

I don't know whom "everyone" is that is giving you "advise". The biggest advise in your world that trumps everything is that of the leaders assigned to look after your training, discipline, and welfare. You know that you've broken the rules. This not a democracy nor a free society. You abide by the the rules of the institution you are part of or you get out for not being up to standard. Stop whining and start listening to your leaders, period.

Response by SFC David Stansbury made Mar 27 at 2019 1:26 AM

2019-03-27T01:26:59-04:00

You need to realize that you are not in the civilian world or even the army yet. You are in training. It is of the utmost importance that you learn to obey, and follow the rules and regulations (no matter how ridiculous or nonsensical they may seem.) Once you leave this protected environment you will enter another unfamiliar world. When you enter the "real" Army, it will be extremely important.

Response by SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2019 1:42 PM

2019-03-31T13:42:40-04:00

Holy s#@$!!!!!! Can you really write a paragraph with no punctuation?? THAT, my young friend, is an indictment on either our school system, or your ability to learn. 5,000 words IS, in fact, too long for one sentence. You really should just count your blessings that the Army even took you at all and that you're not earning minimum wage...or less. Just my two cents.

Response by SP5 Rick LaJiness made Apr 4 at 2019 5:58 PM

2019-04-04T17:58:29-04:00

Hell..I was drafted in 1972 and sent to Ft. Polk for basic,..back when they could go hands on with you...we were taught Drills were God and there for 1 reason, to train you to be a fighting unit to make sure you didn't come home in a body bag...all my DS's had at least 1 tour of Nam....quit the whining,..clean the sh** out of your ears and conform to the training....your life might depend on it someday....

Response by SFC Ernest Thurston made Apr 5 at 2019 10:05 AM

2019-04-05T10:05:15-04:00

Just on the legal side of this discussion- A wall locker, a desk, a file cabinet etc provided by the government is not your personal space. It is government property and subject yo search without a warrant. When you use government property you lose some expectations of privacy. Just as in high school the pricipal can search your locker.

Response by CPT Don Kemp made Apr 5 at 2019 2:04 PM

2019-04-05T14:04:20-04:00

Gotta love Barracks Lawyers, from AIT, no less. Put on your Big Boy Britches and quit whining. I guarantee your Drill Sergeant has more to do than hate you.

Response by SGT John Creager made Apr 5 at 2019 9:05 PM

2019-04-05T21:05:23-04:00

Suck it up Buttercup, you are the FUBAR problem. Get your act together.

Response by PV2 Glen Lewis made Apr 6 at 2019 1:56 PM

2019-04-06T13:56:53-04:00

DIs intimidate and from what I saw when I was in it's part of their job; I would guess to teach that being like is necessary perform as a unit. I don't think what's happening with you is anything out of the norm and would suggest you just do everything to comply that is demanded of you. Personally I see this as a trivial complaint and to take it above the DI's head would just be looking for trouble.

Response by SPC Ron Salsbury made Apr 10 at 2019 6:42 AM

2019-04-10T06:42:53-04:00

You are "GI," Government issue; you signed the dotted line and basically belong to the government. Therefore you're personal rights are surrendered to the authority assigned by the Commander in Chief AKA, the President. He has seen it to put in his charge the, "Drill Sergeant" to train you to become a "Soldier," to teach you courage, team work, dignity, and respect. Theses are the qualities expected of America's finest who serve our country, you are no longer Jodi on the block, you are an American Soldier, act like it. Generation Snowflake has no place in the Military, that shit will do b=nothing but get you and your buddies killed deader than hell real quick, because your enemy does not give two shits about you and your cell phone or you freedom's, that is why you live in America and they don't. My advice, suck it up, show your Drill the respect they earned, and be an adult professional soldier.

Response by LTC Ken Connolly made Apr 14 at 2019 10:20 PM

2019-04-14T22:20:49-04:00

Privacy, especially during entry level training is pretty much a mute point in the military. The Drill Sgt has every right to ask you to empty your locker and put things back a certain way. So, searching though it is a less bothersome way to do that. One thing you did not say, is what do you believe the Sgt was looking for? You will probably find that the !st Sgt is not going to be to receptive to your complaint. My advice is suck it up and move on. The training is 8 weeks long. After that you will be rid of your Drill Sgt.

Response by CW5 Bill Sorenson made Apr 17 at 2019 10:39 PM

2019-04-17T22:39:13-04:00

You now belong to the Army!!!

Response by SGT Marc Riordan made Apr 18 at 2019 12:50 AM

2019-04-18T00:50:48-04:00

Go beat your face private. You just admitted to a group of mostly NCO’s and officers that you did in fact have another phone, so the DS was correct to search your locker. You better remove your head from your 4th point of contact before you get to a unit with a younger version of you that will unscrew it for you.

Response by PO2 Drew Peroni made Apr 22 at 2019 12:38 AM

2019-04-22T00:38:46-04:00

No probable cause?

Next I guess you're going to tell us you're a sovereign citizen?

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 7 at 2019 1:05 AM

2019-05-07T01:05:26-04:00

The first thing you need to do is learn how to use punctuation. You graduated high school, correct? Write like it.

Response by SSG Richard Hackwith made May 12 at 2019 12:42 AM

2019-05-12T00:42:05-04:00

In this case, the DS was acting to maintain discipline and enforce the unit policy. This was not a criminal investigation. The army owns the barracks and the lockers the commander and his designees have the right to inspect everything in the barracks to maintain safety and discipline. You were caught concealing contraband. The DS seemed to know that you were concealing another phone, and you were. You were violating the policy and got caught. I'd suggest that you get your act together and then the DS would get off your case and then you can maybe graduate from AIT.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2019 5:35 AM

2019-05-17T05:35:28-04:00

First of all learn how to use periods, it's basic grammar you were taught as a child.
Secondly "what she did was thrower everything out our drawers and brought the females to our room and told them that this is how we live" If she really did that, your DS is wrong and you need to go to the 1SG. If your room was clean and she f-ed it up and did that, it's malicious. That is however, assuming that you are telling the truth.
Everything else she did was within her power. The DS can flip your room if she suspects you of doing wrong, which you were.

Response by Capt Henry Mixon made May 19 at 2019 2:45 AM

2019-05-19T02:45:32-04:00

By all means go to the 1Sgt about this and !et is know how much sympathy and support you get.

Response by SGT Mark Saint Cyr made May 20 at 2019 4:47 AM

2019-05-20T04:47:47-04:00

I might have had the same DI in basic, though I doubt it, as that was 39 years ago.
I too, felt picked on, and had issues, and a lot of folks didn't like me, as I had a mouth and used it too much.
You can take it, or go home. I totally sympathize, but the first mistake is having them learn your name to the point they remember it, whether you have the uniform on or just a t-shirt.
Be glad of that, because the best time to get that treatment, is in basic, where you can take it to heart and get better as a soldier, or you can turn tail and run home to mommy because you will never make it as a soldier.
It's so much better to find that out NOW, than it is to find it out when you are on the front lines somewhere getting shot at.
I read now, that you posted this two months ago. I hope you made it through.
If you didn't and washed out, be happy that you had your issues there, instead of dying on some battlefield somewhere. If you made it, remember what you've learned.

Response by SSG Joseph VanDyck made May 20 at 2019 10:39 AM

2019-05-20T10:39:03-04:00

First off PVT, learn grammar and spelling. Second is yes she can, she is your drill sergeant and she is in charge of you, your platoon and her barracks. Off hand wise ass remarks are the quickest way to feel the pain. Quit bitching, suck it up and learn from the experience. Or use the BN CSMs open door policy to air your grievances. Just make a damned decision and live with the results.

Response by PO2 Michael Henry made May 20 at 2019 11:00 AM

2019-05-20T11:00:34-04:00

So you are complaining that your stuff was inspected without your permission? You do realize that:
1. You are in the military, on their property, using their government property, and you were in the commission of a crime. You forfeit a lot of basic rights by joining the military. They don't need a warrant. By the way, you are government property too.
2. These "barracks lawyers" are just as inexperienced as you. Who are they to give you advice? That's what base legal is for. 1SGT will have fun handing your ass on a platter while threatening/recommending an Article 15.
3. Do you honestly think you have "freedom"? You get more after you finish AIT, but if you can't handle this, what makes you think they can trust you with more "freedom" afterward.

You need to make an immediate turnaround and stop the crying now if you want to finish your contract with your benefits intact. You are an adult and time you realized it. I would request some private time own up to your issues and request their advice on how to fix yourself before it is too late. You may not like the outcome but it's a step in the right direction.

Response by SFC Patricia Zechel made May 20 at 2019 11:29 AM

2019-05-20T11:29:42-04:00

It probably would depend on the Regulation if a DI can search without permission.

Response by SrA Josh Hennes made May 20 at 2019 1:02 PM

2019-05-20T13:02:47-04:00

Discipline equals freedom

Discipline yourself to follow the rules, all of the rules, all of the time. You’ll be surprised when you are afforded the freedom given to you as a trusted member of your unit.

Be undisciplined and watch the restrictions come rolling in. Extra duty. Loss of privileges.

Response by 1SG William Rodman made May 21 at 2019 12:03 AM

2019-05-21T00:03:12-04:00

I was in BCT and AIT in 1969. We had almost no rights, but we did have a shoe box in the bottom of the foot locker for personal stuff. The Drill Sergeants didn't mess with that box without a good reason and they would have a witness before before they would inspect the contents. Seemed like a good plan at the time.

Response by LCpl Robert Castaldi made May 21 at 2019 3:07 AM

2019-05-21T03:07:13-04:00

Did anybody tell you that you are the property of the United States Government yet and you don't have the same rights as a slimy civilian, buttercup? With that attitude, you are in for a full enlistment as an E-1 Private No Class

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2019 9:41 AM

2019-05-21T09:41:57-04:00

Learn the rules and play by the rules.....if you can’t follow simple instructions then get out you do not belong in a disciplined environment and might become toxic to the rest of your squad.

Take responsibility for your own actions! Your DS is your mommy and your daddy right now!

Response by SPC Dana Egbert made May 21 at 2019 9:42 AM

2019-05-21T09:42:58-04:00

Hopefully your writing skills improved. That was a difficult read.

Response by SGT Derek Wynne made May 21 at 2019 5:39 PM

2019-05-21T17:39:58-04:00

It's the fucking Army. You lose a lot of personal privileges when you join and seeing that you are in AIT and not permanent Duty station she is free to search you as often as she likes if she has basis to. And second of all she was correct that you had another phone and you should have just given it up. You should be lucky that you got phones. When I was in we barely got to make phone calls on pay phones

Response by SSG Randall Rose made May 21 at 2019 7:07 PM

2019-05-21T19:07:48-04:00

Yeah you go tell your 1sg what your DS did. If he's worth a shit, he will dog your punk ass out and after he's done let the DS mop up the rest of you. I dreamed about having a punk like you in my Platoon! They didn't last long!

Response by PO2 Russell Houston made May 21 at 2019 8:01 PM

2019-05-21T20:01:36-04:00

LMAO...mama please help me, help me!

Response by SPC Bob Techlow made May 21 at 2019 10:25 PM

2019-05-21T22:25:06-04:00

Well soldier judging that this was possibly posted 2 months ago you're done with it and moving on to your new duty station but getting back to the situation at hand army d.s to me have been neutered from what we used to have they're job is to toughen you up mentally and physically when this d.s did was within their job sure it sucks but you look back on it in a couple years you'll come to realize that that d.s helped you develop as a leader take it as a life lesson and carry on

Response by SPC(P) Estus Hibbard made May 22 at 2019 1:57 AM

2019-05-22T01:57:32-04:00

Not to be mean but geez, it is just me or did anyone else just get a headache from reading the run-on sentence?

Response by SPC Steve Willis, PhD made May 22 at 2019 1:23 PM

2019-05-22T13:23:56-04:00

This has to be the MOST clueless post I have EVER read on ANY social media platform and that is saying something! As they used to tell me back when I was in: Solider, shut up and soldier!

Response by SPC Eric Peterson made May 22 at 2019 3:05 PM

2019-05-22T15:05:33-04:00

It should never be a question of if your Drill Sergeant is doing the right thing. You should be asking yourself that question. Are you trying to circumvent the lawful orders given, or are you stepping up to your duty, and taking responsibility for your own actions that got you into trouble in the first place. Honor and integrity are everything. If you don't have either, you have no business being in the military. Period.

Response by CWO3 Warren Gaudreau made May 23 at 2019 7:33 AM

2019-05-23T07:33:05-04:00

Maybe you should find another line of work.

Response by SSG Louis Walling made May 23 at 2019 11:45 AM

2019-05-23T11:45:01-04:00

That DS has every right to go through the room that they assigned to you. And if you give them the slightest suggestion that there might be something that's not being kept to standard they can and will do what they must to train you to the standards.
If you think it stops at AIT graduation think again. You will be assigned a room that the SGM, 1SG and your Platoon SGT over sees. You will keep it to their standards and if you have a good SGT they will insure you do keep to the standards. I spent many Saturdays and evenings in Soldiers rooms and houses on and off post insuring they were to a set standard.
So your DS is trying to help you out by training you to follow the standards.
But remember someone let the DS know you had a phone, maybe the same person that told you to go see the 1SG. Hmmmm??

Response by SP6 Marlon Cooper made May 23 at 2019 3:43 PM

2019-05-23T15:43:18-04:00

Please just get out now and save a lot on NCO's and Officer the pain of having to deal with you, your future dereliction of duties, your excuses, and your un and under educated barracks lawyers!!!

Response by SPC Patrick Battiste made May 23 at 2019 11:04 PM

2019-05-23T23:04:51-04:00

This is a very funny question. What has happened to our military! Soldiers have rights now? Get the F*^% outta here with this. You are a GI. Get over it or go home!

Response by CPL Mark Garrigus made May 24 at 2019 9:44 AM

2019-05-24T09:44:37-04:00

You need to go back through basic. You obviously missed a lot!

Response by MSgt Loren Pierce made May 24 at 2019 9:56 AM

2019-05-24T09:56:14-04:00

Sounds like a young millennial that's been watching to much youtube from the video lawyer experts. Welcome to the military. I would highly suggest you talk to your 1st Sgt and get fast tracked right back out to civilian life. Starbucks is always hiring.

Response by SSgt Paul Brady made May 24 at 2019 2:47 PM

2019-05-24T14:47:05-04:00

You should be discharged for composing a run-on sentence of that length.

Response by SN Jack Saint made May 24 at 2019 11:45 PM

2019-05-24T23:45:33-04:00

Suck it up buttercup. Either comply or go to your commanding officer. Each branch is the same when it comes to rules and regulations. You fucked up and didn't listen. Take your lick and learn from it. Don't kiss ass, make them know you are serious by your follow up actions. Going to the internet to find the answer you want to hear is a flaw in your character. You WILL NOT get the answer you are wanting. Welcome to military.

Response by SN Jack Saint made May 24 at 2019 11:47 PM

2019-05-24T23:47:59-04:00

Also, GTFO off this board. You have not earned shit to gripe and complain on here.

Response by MSG Brenda Neal made May 25 at 2019 12:10 AM

2019-05-25T00:10:14-04:00

Seriously? Life isn't one very long sentence. If a person is unable to follow simple rules of behavior that are there for everyone, how could that person be trusted on their own. The object is to teach responsibility and weed out those who can't be trusted to actually do a job. Supply is the backbone that keeps a service in operation. I believe you are required to be that responsible person.

Response by PO1 Kate Schoeneich made May 25 at 2019 10:15 AM

2019-05-25T10:15:29-04:00

Keep your sh.. straight and she won't have any reason to question your character. Random means exactly that. Random. Any person any time. If you feel she is targeting you, then take up your chain of command. Now is the chance to prove yourself, if you so choose. I've never had to go out of my way to prove others wrong. They usually hang themselves.

Response by SGT Dan Keeler made May 25 at 2019 7:33 PM

2019-05-25T19:33:41-04:00

PVT McHuntly, this is a case of "you made your bed, now sleep in it." Getting a DS's attention happens in one of two ways: exceptional performance (that's a good thing) and subpar performance (that's a bad thing). Which do you think you fall into? Unfortunately for you, now you have to work to change the DS's perspective. YOUR ACTIONS dictated where you are now. YOUR ACTIONS continue to show that you don't have the discipline your DS demands (as she should), and now, YOUR ACTIONS are going to get you in even hotter water by even considering going to the 1SG to complain when you got caught violating the rules. See a trend here?

Here's my advice. Keep your mouth shut, get rid of anything you aren't supposed to have, do what you are supposed to be doing, stop listening to your platoon mates (they have no more knowledge about the military than you do, they are steering you down the wrong path), and get your head on straight. Take responsibility for your actions. Suck it up. Unfortunately, you and your battle buddy get to work harder than everyone else in the platoon now, because you have to prove yourselves worthy. Everyone else seems to be figuring it out but you two.

One more thing: since apparently you are allowed to have phones and internet access in AIT now, go to Amazon and order a copy of the book Extreme Ownership. Read it. Reflect. And stop blaming other people for the mess you found yourself in.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2019 8:41 PM

2019-05-25T20:41:53-04:00

Please just leave. Now. You lack the discipline to continue. You give other females a bad reputation based on your failing to follow instructions, hiding a phone you were not to have and then put it out there publically. Grow Up. You are in AIT. You are still not qualified simply because you completed basic training. You said it yourself, you cant take it for another 8 weeks.
I'm not being harsh, I'm being real. If you have this behavior in AIT, statistically it will continue to your unit. Fix yourself, read the regulations and UCMJ.
Senior Leades are not babysitters, we dont have time for games, we have a mission to accomplish.

Response by SPC Keith Rayeski made May 25 at 2019 10:37 PM

2019-05-25T22:37:03-04:00

HOLY CRAP!!! WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO MY ARMY!!?!?!?!? Social freakin media in AIT!!?? Suck it up cupcake!!! And try using a damn dictionary the next time your panties get all wadded up!! DAMN!!

Response by PO1 Glenn Cooper made May 26 at 2019 12:15 AM

2019-05-26T00:15:09-04:00

First time in your life you ever been told you’re not wonderful? Get some character wrapped in some integrity and cinch it up tight. You’re whiny BS is latently lying the ground work for the conduct that can be expected of you through the rest of your life. Intelligently mature quickly or go away.

Response by PVT Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2019 2:17 PM

2019-05-26T14:17:17-04:00

I would read the manual for courts-martial (mcm) first before you go to Top. However, it was inappropriate that she brought any soldiers to your living quarters, especially those of the opposite gender. That is what the real world would consider hazing or bullying. This is common among what we, in the industry, call "little soldier syndrome" (for a lack of better words). Also remember, you do have rights regardless of what leaders and brain washed soldiers tell you. Remember, lots of soldiers have been, accused, confined, and convicted without cause or tangible evidence due to retaliation and/or so the commander keeps his job and makes his next rank. Trust me, I know at least 50 people in Leavenworth Disciplinary Barracks and other Joint Regional Correctional Facilities (JRCF). The army isn't about protecting and serving. It's about the Dog and Pony Show.
Like I said earlier, and will add to, before you go to anybody higher, make sure you read the army (service) regulations and the mcm. Also, contrary to popular belief among servicemembers, you did not waive your constitutional rights when joined the US military. If you plan to be in for a whiley you might want to have an attourney on speed-dial. And I'm not a barracks lawyer.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2019 3:17 PM

2019-05-26T15:17:15-04:00

Are you freegin kidding me? You're a private in AIT. Be glad you have the freedoms you do. The fact that you are on this site complaining/searching for way to find fault in your Drill Sergeant is exactly the problem with young Soldiers today. Have some discipline, realize life isn't fair, and deal with it. Stop painting yourself as a victim and just suck it up. Is your DS picking on you? Yeah may be. I guarantee he/she is doing for a reason. Maybe its a reason you don't see or agree with, but guess what? That doesn't matter. Once again, you are a private in AIT. At this point in your Army career, your opinion means very little. AIT doesn't last forever and if you choose to stay in, you will realize that the lack of freedom you have now has a purpose. Bottom line: YES YOUR DRILL SERGEANT CAN SEARCH YOUR LOCKER.

Response by PO1 Tom Follis made May 26 at 2019 3:20 PM

2019-05-26T15:20:13-04:00

My my. We are the privileged one aren’t we? You joined the military, the military didn’t join you. Also, the military over all is 200+ years old. We normally try to keep things on an even keel. Things just seem to work a lot better that way. As a result, the military is in no way going to change for you. When you raised your right hand and said “I do”, YOU agreed to change. I would suggest you get up in the morning, listen for the pop and grow up. Take some responsibility for your own sad pathetic life. Otherwise, walk. Oh yeah, that pop you’re listening for is when your head pops outta your ass.

Response by SSG Bruce Garrido made May 26 at 2019 6:10 PM

2019-05-26T18:10:48-04:00

Everything is probable cause, Good example is the show"Full metal jacket."

Response by MSG Devaun Morris made May 27 at 2019 7:31 AM

2019-05-27T07:31:54-04:00

As a former DS and 1SG, I loved it when Soldiers came to me to complain about how they are being treated unfairly or being singled out by other DS's or Senior NCO's. Things of this nature makes my spidy sense tingle when 99.99% of the time, the Soldier has done something to call for fire on their own position. So, take a long hard look at yourself in the mirrior and think about WHY this type of treatment is happeneing to you. Or better yet, WHAT DID YOU DO? Now, you have every right to go up the Chain of Command and air out your dirty laundry, but what is the desired outcome you are trying to get from it all? If you haven't learned yet in your young career, the Army has rules and regulations for EVERYTHING you do. If you are in the right place, at the right time, and doing the right thing, you'll live long and prosper.
Don't let the mistake(s) you've made define you. If you want to not be singled out, then follow suit. If the treatment is illegal, immorale, or unethical... then that would be the reason to raise the red flag. Just remember to tell the entire story and not just your side of it. Good luck and keep us posted!

"Fall Out"

Response by SGT Charles Bartell made May 27 at 2019 6:09 PM

2019-05-27T18:09:50-04:00

Witch AIT are you in, And witch base is it on.
It looks like FT.LEE ?

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2019 12:33 PM

2019-05-29T12:33:11-04:00

Sounds like you're a shitbird. Stop being being a bitch. You're a boot and this is military life for boots, especially shitbird boots. Forget your hurt feelings and get yourself back on track doing the job.

Response by MSG Michael Gay made May 31 at 2019 2:07 PM

2019-05-31T14:07:30-04:00

The Drill Sergeant is most interested in changing your behavior! Developing teamwork from ALL members of the Platoon. Attitude is another important attribute which will work either for or against the entire unit. Change your attitude toward the importance of developing a GREAT team. Your entire world within the Army will change!

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2019 9:32 AM

2019-06-01T09:32:08-04:00

Grow up get out. I hope you never get in shooting war. Because there they hate you, they and they want to kill you. But at the rate you’re going one of you’re going one of your NCO’s might do it first. When I was a FSG a very young soldier said I couldn’t pat him down. So. not wanting him to feel bad about, I said OK and had strip down to his underwear and then I Inspected his and found a little flask of alcohol which I might not have found in a patdowne. This was done in formation. He was very willing to donate $25.00 to the Soldier’s Fund.An Article 15 would have been $50.00

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2019 10:30 AM

2019-06-01T10:30:29-04:00

Is this a real post? Or a good troll?

Response by PFC Scott O'Connor made Jun 1 at 2019 8:20 PM

2019-06-01T20:20:18-04:00

1: Learn to properly punctuate, so you can communicate clearly.
2: Suck it up, Buttercup.
3: Don't do stupid shit.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2019 9:07 PM

2019-06-01T21:07:16-04:00

Sounds like you're one of those "entitled" little millennial sh*ts. You seem to believe that we (other members of the armed forces) owe you something. You may have grown up in a society that gave you medals for just showing up, for putting forth the minimal effort necessary, or providing a safe "hugging room" when the world refuses to recognize your innate value.
Your drill sergeant may dislike you, but more likely she is just trying to teach you enough to survive what's coming. You need to have water in your canteen not liquor, you cannot abuse drugs, you cannot fall asleep on guard, and you cannot run when you look up and see the Peoples Liberation Army or Iranian Revolutionary guard bearing down on you.
You need to grow a pair and get with the program. If you cannot, you need to be removed from our midst.

Response by SSgt Lawrence Gordon made Jun 2 at 2019 2:28 PM

2019-06-02T14:28:56-04:00

Weh, Weh I'm going to tell Mom what you did. Looks like time for a career change to me.

Response by CSM David Porterfield made Jun 2 at 2019 9:48 PM

2019-06-02T21:48:51-04:00

Wow, I cant even think of what to write..... I'm over hear shaking my head. So, you basically want to go tattle tail on the Drill Sergeant because she's mean?

Response by LTC Gene Moser made Jun 2 at 2019 10:14 PM

2019-06-02T22:14:59-04:00

First of all, I think the AIT person is a male, not a female.. It's the DI who is female and this may be part of his problem . Seems to me I remember an old Army saying: "Soldier, straighten up and solider. " Go do that.

Response by TSgt Dan Kenna made Jun 6 at 2019 10:26 AM

2019-06-06T10:26:39-04:00

Holy shit. How the fuck did you even graduate high school? This post is a nightmare to read and understand. From what I did gather in your abomination of grammar is that perhaps you should grow up, take some responsibility, and get your shit together. If you can’t handle it, I hear Burger King is hiring. I doubt the manager there will search your shit.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2019 11:54 PM

2019-06-12T23:54:21-04:00

As a former BCT company commander and now an IG, I have several thoughts on this. Yes, for health and welfare, we will do intrusive inspections, especially if you've given us probable cause to do so, which you alluded to in your post. And if you think what the DS did was over the line, don't even consider Officer Candidate School, where an entire barracks gets the tornado treatment, with a very short suspense to bring it back to standard. Finally, from an IG perspective, I'm getting only one side of a story. Every story has three sides, yours, the DS's and the truth, somewhere in the middle. If you do go to an IG, we will encourage you to use your chain of command first (one of the five questions is whether or not the chain of command is aware of your situation). Also, the new Army rule is that cases almost always get referred by the IG to your chain of command for investigation, anyway, unless my directing authority says otherwise.

Don't listen to barracks lawyers, that equals trouble.

And finally, do a good self-examination to see how you may have brought this on yourself by your actions, and whether or not you're telling the whole truth. The Army is not a democracy, nor is it Burger King. Standards are set, lawful orders are given and followed.

Response by Lt Col Tonish Jones made Jun 22 at 2019 6:44 AM

2019-06-22T06:44:06-04:00

Instead of wining about it put it behind you and get your stuff together. If the DS has you on their radar it’s because you need to get more squared away. In the example that you gave, the DS said that you had something that was unauthorized and you did. You just come clean in the first place. Change your mindset and look for ways to do better.

Response by SPC Joseph St. Clair made Jun 29 at 2019 12:17 PM

2019-06-29T12:17:52-04:00

Is this real situation? Phones, internet conversations, questioning your DS's ability to do their job... Wow, I'm astonished to think this could possibly be true. And if it is, shame on you.

Response by PFC Bobby Lingle made Jul 2 at 2019 6:25 PM

2019-07-02T18:25:42-04:00

Suck it up son.

Response by SSG Aaron Gough made Jul 3 at 2019 8:23 AM

2019-07-03T08:23:07-04:00

Holy sh#t private. You are in initial training, and in the Army. This is not civilian life. They don't need a search warrant, they don't need a lot of things because they only need the approval from the authority of their base commander to do such things. Next, it's only for a few weeks so sick it up and just follow the rules.

Remember, you voluntarily signed up. I fully back soldiers who are truly being mistreated, but when they cause the trouble I got nothing. Maybe I'm just a little hard hearted after years of watching Joes go against the rules then want to blame the leadership when they get corrected. Maybe it's because I'm a cop now and I just don't care about people who break laws and want to find a way to get out of trouble. I didn't know what the hell a cell phone was until I was done with Basic and AIT. I had pen and a note pad so you'll have to excuse me if I don't empathise with you on that particular situation. We didn't have separate rooms, I lived in a bay with 60 other men. If one screwed up, we ALL got our lockers and beds tossed. It's not about picking on you, it's about teaching lessons that will keep you and your fellow soldiers alive when you have to go down range. Plus some life lessons.

Response by SSG Brian MacBain made Jul 5 at 2019 1:37 AM

2019-07-05T01:37:25-04:00

Since it been four months now, he is either a Soldier at his first duty station, or was kick out and a civilian again. If I saw this post earlier, my advice (which I read some great advice and hope he took it to heart) is this (Might sound corny here) " suck it up buttercup"

Response by A1C Michael Beal made Jul 9 at 2019 9:48 AM

2019-07-09T09:48:46-04:00

Like so many have said in the comments; embrace the suck, learn from it and go forward.
There's also something else you didn't seem to understand: You signed a CONTRACT and are considered a government asset. You WILL do as you're told and act as expected or the Army will termintate your contract, quite probably under less than honorable conditions. You contract included everything from standing tall and receiving honors to free housing and food to gross public humiliation to death on the battlefield. If you failed to read your contract, you had better go back and read it again.

Response by SPC Ray Coulter made Jul 16 at 2019 11:21 AM

2019-07-16T11:21:33-04:00

Your a dumbass is all I can say.. your ass belongs to the Military. You break the rules, they will make an example of you. Your D.I. is trying to embarrass you in Hope's to get you to straighten your ass up. D.I.'s are not there to get you thrown out. They are there to get you to straighten up, act like a soldier, keep your dumbass safe from yourself. If you cant hack A.I.T. than go see your 1st Sgt and opt out of the Military. It would most likely save someone's life down the road.

Response by CPO Kathryn Robbins made Jul 17 at 2019 9:22 AM

2019-07-17T09:22:18-04:00

You weren't drafted, you didn't go before a judge who said jail or military, you chose to join the US Army. You raised your right hand and swore (or affirmed) ...... "and to obey the orders of the officers appointed over me".

You've already put yourself on the Drill Sergent's radar for other offenses because you weren't used to the freedom after boot camp (your line).

Now, you are feeling "picked on" because your Drill Sergent tossed your room and the room of one other member of the platoon. Then brought other members of your platoon and showed them your room. Used you as a lesson for other members of your platoon.

She took the phones of some of the members of your platoon, then she made you open your locker and found another phone that you had not turned in. The fact that it was old is irrelevant, it was a phone that you were supposed to turn in and you didn't. I suspect she knew that you had another phone and you were given the opportunity to turn it in and you didn't. Phones are a privilege, not a right and you have to earn privileges. I could use the old adage that if it wasn't issued to you, the military feels that you don't need it.

I suppose you could up your Chain of Command to say that your Drill Sergent is biased against you. You would have to prove without a doubt and provide documented incidents (including witnesses) where you were singled out and no one else.

As a retired US Navy Chief Petty Officer (the same as a US Army SFC) I think you might want to examine your actions and behaviors and make a decision. Do you want to stay in the US Army or not?

The ball is now in your court, PVT. What are you going to do with it?

Response by SPC Dennis Kregel made Jul 17 at 2019 6:52 PM

2019-07-17T18:52:05-04:00

Jason,

Although I do want to give you good advice my brain truly hurts over what has happened to the Army I love due to recruits such as yourself. In case no one told you yet Jason, you're in the Army private. There are three simple rules for you to follow to make your life so much easier.

DO WHAT YOU'RE TOLD, DO WHAT YOU'RE TOLD, AND OH YEAH DO WHAT YOU'RE TOLD....

Do you remember the day you raised your hand and swore your oath to support and defend the constitution? Well what they also should have told you that day is that you also gave up all of your constitutional rights. You belong to the Army now young man. Please get used to it.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2019 8:13 PM

2019-07-17T20:13:25-04:00

Please go tell the 1SG and CDR that you decided to keep a second phone. I'm about 99% certain there's a policy letter that pertains to phones, both possession and usage. I'm also pretty sure you signed a counseling saying that you read and understand all policy letters. This is a easy way to resolve your issues.

Response by 1SG Ernest Stull made Jul 18 at 2019 7:45 AM

2019-07-18T07:45:57-04:00

Yes they can if they are doing an inspection. Go ahead and listen to the shit house lawyers that are telling you to run to the 1sg because when you tell him you had more then one phone guess what he is going to do to you.

Response by Sgt Roger Ky made Jul 18 at 2019 8:31 AM

2019-07-18T08:31:13-04:00

Will it much be really nice in the Army! I went to MCRD PI in 1967 and we had about 80 living in one room. We got our foot locker turned over and put allove the place and our racks turn over and trash cans dumped all over and had to clean it all up and scrubbed the deck with a toothbrush. We never got to call home. put was made to wright letter home in our 1 hour free time at night where we had to do the 3 shit, shower and shave and study. You didn't have time to think about that stuff.

Response by SFC David Ocasio made Jul 18 at 2019 10:30 AM

2019-07-18T10:30:42-04:00

Rights everyone has one. However, in basic the only right you have is the right to shut up and do as you say. The civilian mentality goes out. One Fight one army.

Response by Bj VanHooser made Jul 18 at 2019 2:11 PM

2019-07-18T14:11:08-04:00

I'm sorry, did you not realize you joined the Military? The Army OWNS you now. You and your personal stuff (including lockers) can be searched at any time. They will tell you what to wear, when to eat, and when to sleep for the length of your enlistment. There is a chain of command you can take if you feel you have been wronged, but you will be laughed out of the room. Trust me, this is NOT the hill you want to die on. Suck it up. You broke the rules and got caught, more than once. You need to realize that you are a small cog in the Army machine and every one has to live by the same rules. You are not exceptional. Stand up, admit you were wrong, apologize to your DS and get on with life. Advice from the Mother of a Marine..

Response by SGT Jeremy Foster made Jul 18 at 2019 2:30 PM

2019-07-18T14:30:25-04:00

What a new army we have here. We never have phones in BASIC or AIT. There are a distraction and your there to learn. If you cant deal with people of authority going through your stuff you chose the wrong profession.

Response by PFC David McLeod made Jul 18 at 2019 7:24 PM

2019-07-18T19:24:55-04:00

SFC Burns, my drill sergeant God bless his soul, had a phrase for this.
FUCKING MOUSE TURD, YOU'RE A FUCKING MOUSE TURD FUCKING UP MY ARMY!
Seriously, get your shit together or get out.
But what can you expect from supply.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 19 at 2019 12:56 AM

2019-07-19T00:56:29-04:00

This can’t be real....

Response by 2ndLt Fulton Recepcion made Jul 19 at 2019 11:25 AM

2019-07-19T11:25:39-04:00

The laws on base vs the laws in the civil sector are two different things.

Before you enter a base there is a sign that says, “Subject to search without notice.”

Basic Training/Boot Camp environment, plus follow on training, the stakes are higher for that.

Unless she’s harassing you for no particular reason but got kicks (and you can prove it without shadow of a doubt) you have no case.

Response by MSG Don Burt made Jul 19 at 2019 1:01 PM

2019-07-19T13:01:36-04:00

Set to Music…”You’re in the Army now, you’re not behind a plow, dah, dah, dah, etc.” you can really be part of a great team, learn a lot of ‘stuff’, create new friends, and be a real asset to yourself and your Company, but to do that you must learn the Military Way of Life with all its rules and regulations like you did or would be doing on the outside as a civilian.
Do you really think that the Drill Sgt. really wants to waste their time being a hard case only to you?
Drill Sgt’s have a planned schedule (Time Management) to apply training to make you into something you never thought you’d be and they have little time or even want to take the time correcting folks who don’t follow simple, common sense rules and commands because, obviously, you’re cutting into other personnel training times.
What you need to do is STOP, TAKE A DEEP BREADTH AND SAY, I JOINED FOR MY OWN REASON/S AND NOW IT’S TIME FOR ME TO STAND UP AND LEARN TO BE AN ASSET INSTEAD OF A LIABILITY! It will be a lot easier if you go with the flow and It will pay off, but right now you can’t see it.
You’re in now so, when you learn, LEARN IT WELL, and then you will start taking a leadership role and sharing with your team mates, the time goes by and you’ll learn to love it, otherwise, shut up, sit down and watch life turn into a pile of, well, you know.

Response by PO1 Jerry Williamson made Jul 19 at 2019 3:21 PM

2019-07-19T15:21:44-04:00

You are now government property and yes your DI has a duty to keep you straight and convert you to a responsible person. Boot camp is tough, as it always has been, but for a good reason. Grow up, deal with it, and you will be a better person when you finish it and be proud of it.

Response by SGT Willie Norwood made Jul 19 at 2019 6:08 PM

2019-07-19T18:08:49-04:00

Coming from an MP it seems like there was some type of probable cause. However if you feel like you were being picked on then the best thing to do is to take it up the chain and make sure you document who you talked to, date, time and what was said. If you feel it necessary, continue to take it up the chain of command but whatever you do, make sure you record everything. The more details the better it will be for you should there be any question regarding your interaction with the chain of command. I taught this to my soldiers as a tactic I used when I had problems with so-called leadership.

Response by SSG Carlos Garcia made Jul 19 at 2019 10:16 PM

2019-07-19T22:16:18-04:00

First of all, you were or still is a trainee until you graduate from AIT. You've been in trouble at previews times that's two marks against you. Now, you want to jump the chain of command and go straight to the First Sargeant?

You must be as dumb as a rock in a pool of irk you nimrod. What I suggest to you is to stay away from your self-proclaimed barracks lawyers, which I'm very confident their lack of knowledge on AR-38-6 better known as the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

If you decide to go on that route, you'll be digging your own military grave since that Drill Sergeant is doing what is within her parameters including ALL cellphone. Shoot, if you were one of my troopers not only will I take your cellphone from you but smoke your *ss until if get tired looking at you. So, grow up buttercup you're in the U.S. Army.

Response by SSG Sofie Martinez made Jul 20 at 2019 8:34 AM

2019-07-20T08:34:39-04:00

Lol. You belong to Uncle Sam! You are a trainee! You marked yourself when you screwed up from the get go. Now you must prove for the rest of the time that you have matured! Stay under the radar and quit bringing undo attention to yourself. Drill Sergeants are there to mold you into a soldier not coddle you. Yes, I’m old school Army so I can’t even comprehend why you even have a cell. I would remove this post before they find out about it and really get on to you. Good luck!

Response by MAJ Don Taylor made Jul 20 at 2019 8:41 AM

2019-07-20T08:41:21-04:00

I see that you posted this 4 months ago. How did everything work out? (You got great advice here!)

Response by PO2 Harold Hoffman made Jul 20 at 2019 9:04 AM

2019-07-20T09:04:02-04:00

YES! UNLESS YOU WANT YOUR ASS KICKED!!! SUCK IT UP! BUTTER CUP!!! AND THAT IS PROBABLY WHAT YOUR FIRST SARGENT WOULD SAY!!!

Response by SGT James Colbert made Jul 20 at 2019 10:27 AM

2019-07-20T10:27:28-04:00

Well first off....your not at summer camp..you are a solider in the US Army...and what you have to learn right off the bat..is the Maximum Range of an excuse in 0 Meters. Second of all, DS are the same all over the army, bow and the old days, two things DS are doing, to see what your made of and singles out to see how you handle it. I had a 1SG who said you learn by doing...and your doing it wrong. The cellphone thing you mentioned is just just excuse my French, but fucking stupid. You could take it as not following an lawful..whwn she askes you to surrender your phones. Like the other senior NCOs mentioned. The army isnt for everybody..last i heard was only 5% of the US population can make it in the army. I f you are ha ing this much trouble with DS, go to a different DS. Or the Chaplain. The Chaplain are always good for this kind of thi g and they report to the CO. But you must remember. shot rolls down hill. And your at the bottom. If you really cant stick it out for 8 weeks ..i believe it is still CH. 15 para. 6 is hardship discahrge for inability to conform to army standards. You are in AIT...basic training was the hard stuff..8 weeks then permanent duty station will be easier

Response by SSG James N. made Jul 20 at 2019 10:30 AM

2019-07-20T10:30:11-04:00

Your writing is atrocious. That made my head hurt. Please consider multilevel writing courses, or I am afraid your potential will only manifest as a box of fries and a greasy burger.

Response by SGT James Colbert made Jul 20 at 2019 10:37 AM

2019-07-20T10:37:14-04:00

As a additon to what i said..there are army values in the acronym LDRSHIP.. i think you failed some of those values. Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, Personal Courage...you meed to work on the integrity and honor pieces.
Bear true faith and allegiance to the US Constitution, the Army, your unit, and other soldiers. Be loyal to the nation and its heritage.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2019 3:37 PM

2019-07-20T15:37:51-04:00

In the first place, YOU were in the wrong...In the second place, under law and Army regulations you as a recruit have rights but under those same laws and regulations the Drill instructor determines when you can use your cellphone and when you can't. It's a privilege you must earn. Under those regulations the Drill Instructor has the right to search your gear and person if the believes you are in violation of the rules and regulations in place during Recruit training.

So rather than whining about this remember several things. YOU volunteered to serve. YOU took the Oath that said "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."

No one held a gun to your head to take that oath. No one forced you into service. So the best advice that I can give you is obey and do what your told to the last detail, quit whining and learn how to be the best Soldier you can be and do your job that you swore and oath to God to do. And right now your job is to learn to be a Soldier. Because it's going to get tougher as you go along. This isn't a civilian job where you can do whatever you want. You're in the service of your country and the taxpayer is paying for your training, your food, your clothes, your equipment and expects you to defend our Nation. We don't expect you to fail in that sacred responsibility. And right now that's what you're doing when you don't tow the line. Do you job.

Response by PO2 Christopher A. made Jul 20 at 2019 7:48 PM

2019-07-20T19:48:26-04:00

Deal with it

Response by SSG Jack Jurgensen made Jul 20 at 2019 10:12 PM

2019-07-20T22:12:20-04:00

Better yet, why don't you go to that DI and ask them what you could do to become a squared away soldier that he/she would be proud to have in theit command. Ask "what can I do to gain your respect?". You sem to be awfully confused about the Army and Regulations. I know if you lied to me your ass would be in a sling!

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2019 3:34 AM

2019-07-21T03:34:29-04:00

By now, you're probably out of AIT, so this is more for those who come behind.

Her job is to make a Soldier out of you. Focus more on that than on what you think your rights are. The military is a strange place, and while you absolutely still do have rights, they may not look like what you expect them to. But you HAD to know that when you signed on the line.

Bottom line - as a new Soldier, you have bigger concerns than being aggrieved. Turn yourself into that 5.0 Soldier and when she figures out that you've turned yourself around, she'll move on to her next project.

Response by SSG Joseph Burdette made Jul 21 at 2019 9:39 AM

2019-07-21T09:39:47-04:00

Half Right, Face! FLRP! MOVE!!

Response by CPT Don Kemp made Jul 21 at 2019 9:41 AM

2019-07-21T09:41:58-04:00

If you look at soldiers in formation, you’ll notice 1/2 step out of line is all it takes to stand out. One-half step ahead will lead to rapid promotion and selection for schools. One-half step behind leads to extra inspections, extra duty, and in the fullness of time, the opportunity to pursue new career options. You can start your career training by saying, “Paper or plastic?” Or “Would you like fries with that?”

Response by CW4 Russ Hamilton (Ret) made Jul 21 at 2019 4:33 PM

2019-07-21T16:33:02-04:00

The easiest way to solve this is go ask your DS what you need to do to be a better soldier, take the first step in opening a dialogue. This may not be a kind and friendly moment, be prepared for lots of firm "discussion." But it will send a message that you want to change and it will make an impression. She should do 99% of the talking, you maybe 1%. This may not be pleasant, it may be brutal or it may be a two way conversation. I've been in for over 40 years now and clear communication and understanding what is expected of you is key - you probably know this. The Army is not a democracy, don't mistake it for one - everyone isn't equal and you surrendered many of your rights when you signed the contract.

Keep in mind you better remember what she says and follow through to the letter because if you don't it's gonna get worse. Or just ride it out for eight more weeks, it's really not that long - focus only on each day, don't look to the end. Stop viewing yourself as a victim as it's clear a few things occurred that were your fault. Be grateful you didn't join in 1978, drill sergeants disciplining soldiers was WAY different than now - particularly in the infantry. Regardless, make the best of it and suck it up. Based on some of the other comments I've read here you're not going to find at lot of sympathy - listen to the 1SG's who've commented, they are trying to help you.

Response by SrA Brett Stratton made Jul 21 at 2019 4:47 PM

2019-07-21T16:47:52-04:00

Hate to tell you this, dude, but if you were caught doing wrong, you destroyed the trust between you and your DS. They're assigned to break you already and (accident, well meaning or otherwise) because you were breaking rules, they can't believe you won't try again. As such, yes, they are permitted to single you out for it. As the old saying goes, "If 'I'm sorry' was all it took, we wouldn't have any wars."
This is gonna sound harsh, but you're joining the Army, not a club. If you can't take the stress, the military will destroy you. Endure it. 8 weeks may feel like 8 years, but once it's over you'll be glad you put up with it.

Response by SPC Michael Lyon made Jul 21 at 2019 5:25 PM

2019-07-21T17:25:10-04:00

Wow they allow cell phones in AIT now? Guess we went through to early. They actually have freedom in AIT also? How did we survove not having alot of free time. Guess it's the entitled generation. You are there to learn your job and what it means to be a soldier. We had a saying "suck it up and drive on"

Response by SFC Anthony Mattek made Jul 21 at 2019 6:57 PM

2019-07-21T18:57:40-04:00

Basic was a while ago, but I remember having a personal drawer that as long as it was locked it was off limits for any inspection. That being said, all other areas of our lockers were fair game and inspectable.

So if I am hearing you right I see you have two issues here to address.the first is the problems with your DI. You need to do whatever you need to to change your attitude about your DI ante DI on the straight and arrow. Toe the line in other words. Do not focus on ow you can skirt the rules and marginally get buy busing the rules. If you put that kind of effort into how I can be a stellar Soldier you probably could be in the running for Soldier of[ the cycle. Show your DI the respect they deserve and things will get better in the long run.

The second issue you have to deal with is the issue of the cell phone. It is a little sketchy to me where you said you had this so called personal item. When I did my duffle bad drag we emptied everything out on the CTA and if you had it, it was confiscated until graduation or if we had a personal day to use it. So if I hear you right you say this was in your personal area, was it locked up? Were you instructed to unlock it for inspection, was this done under coercion, there are too many things you've left out here maybe to save face or to color and shade things in your favor. All I can say is if you feel you have been wrongfully singled out and feel that you are in right, go to the chain of command (as you always should) ad let it work for you. But if this is something that is being kept between you and your DI, I would take your lumps and drive on. If you bring this up the CoC and they take the DI’s side because it was not improper for what they did you maybe seeing an Article 15 for all your troubles for failure to follow the rules of your commander. Your choice, but I would do m best to think before you go and do something that you may not recover from. Counseling forms are a slap to,get your attention, I think they have that, now where you go from here is up to you.

Response by Sgt Carlos Sanchez made Jul 21 at 2019 11:00 PM

2019-07-21T23:00:04-04:00

Have you ever heard of periods and commas? This is like the longest run-on sentence I've ever tried to read.

Response by SFC Jeffrey Port made Jul 22 at 2019 11:34 AM

2019-07-22T11:34:17-04:00

I notice this was posted 4 months ago, could you update the page on your status? I hope you toughed it out and are at your AIT or New active duty unit by now. Basic is supposed to be tough and instill rules and order for your new career. Remember, you volunteered for a reason, stick it out, continue to improve yourself and knowledge and enjoy it as I have for 37 years now! Hooah!

Response by MAJ Brents Pepper made Jul 22 at 2019 12:28 PM

2019-07-22T12:28:45-04:00

You should go straight to the CSM and demand an apology. You have rights and shouldn’t be treated like this.

Response by PO2 Joseph Bender made Jul 22 at 2019 3:03 PM

2019-07-22T15:03:32-04:00

The US Military owns you and all things that you have on their base. NO exceptions. The Drill Sergeant can do random inspection especially if there is justification or suspicion. Typically they will have a witness with them to protect them of allegations of wrong doing. Also Grammar goes a long way when asking mature questions as a mature soldier in the US Military.

Response by SGT Sean Moore made Jul 23 at 2019 9:56 AM

2019-07-23T09:56:57-04:00

Don’t be a PU$$Y!

Response by MAJ Mike Yeksavich made Jul 23 at 2019 5:51 PM

2019-07-23T17:51:19-04:00

I think you need to understand this is the military and that Drill Sergeant has the obligation to make sure everything in that barracks as it should be. You admit you have violated the rules already but you make it like you are being picked on---Who else besides you violated the rules but is not being picked on? I am sure you have heard the phrase "Trust but verify." Maybe once it is verified you are straight there can be trust. In the military there are rules that are simply different than found in civilian life. I am a former 10 year JAGC Major and your type of question came up over and over. Go see a JAGC officer if you need a legal lecture about military law.

Response by MAJ Mike Yeksavich made Jul 23 at 2019 5:55 PM

2019-07-23T17:55:40-04:00

As a former 10 year JAGC officer and the son of a career Air Force Sergeant I explain it this way--"Grow up" You admit violating the rules and the Drill Sergeant is responsible for you, the billets and everyone in them. Play it straight, do what you are told and you might find that magically you are not "picked on."

Response by Cpl David Bientz made Jul 23 at 2019 7:21 PM

2019-07-23T19:21:07-04:00

Jason M, They have every right to search everything in your person or gear. Knowing that, most play by the rules.
Should you be captured as a POW, they're going to stick their hand up your ass and pull your tongue out of it. For Gods sake, grow a pair or get the hell out.

Response by SGT Dorian Wolfe made Jul 25 at 2019 10:18 AM

2019-07-25T10:18:03-04:00

Oh Whoppee....You're in the US Military...stop complaining...It's all about breaking you down and getting rid of habits you don't even know you have...and making the team cohesive, rational, and responsive. You haven't even been exposed to an undercover MP yet where jail is the end result.

And take advantage of the military education (military and college) while YOU are in the service.

Response by SSG Red Hoffman made Jul 26 at 2019 2:34 AM

2019-07-26T02:34:13-04:00

Yea...go tell Top. Hehehe

Response by SSG Red Hoffman made Jul 26 at 2019 2:42 AM

2019-07-26T02:42:24-04:00

That has got to be a fake last name...

Response by CPT Ian Stewart made Jul 26 at 2019 2:07 PM

2019-07-26T14:07:10-04:00

This observation is completely off subject, but after reading PV1 Mchuntly's post, it dawned on me that I just read the longest sentence I have ever read in my life! There is not a single punctuation mark until one gets to the question mark in the next to last sentence in the paragraph. I hope it was because he was upset and therefore forgot his English grammar and not the result of the quality of the education he received.

Response by SrA James Cannon made Jul 29 at 2019 1:18 PM

2019-07-29T13:18:40-04:00

I say suck it up for 8 weeks. Be a model soldier, get through it and move on. I think the DS was right in this situation, but whether she is right or wrong, fighting back on this will not work out well for you.

Response by MSG Johnathan Mathes made Aug 1 at 2019 10:45 AM

2019-08-01T10:45:04-04:00

private .....
you brought this on yourself
you lied and deceived and got caught.. you own this mess.... whether you like her or not your drill sgt is there for a reason.. you need to learn a little discipline... i'm sure your 1SG will help you out with this .. everything is searchable without your permission in a training environment.. get off the internet ... comments live on here forever

Response by CW2 Jalistair B made Aug 2 at 2019 12:57 AM

2019-08-02T00:57:02-04:00

WOW! That is incredible! You have the longest run on sentence I have ever read, or at least tried to read. Congratulations! My advise to you is this. Grow up or get out. You have guidelines you are expected to live by. They are very easy guidelines. Just do what you are told to do. It is that simple. Also, why are you complaining? You have access to the internet during AIT for crying out loud! Talk about pampered!

Response by SFC John Fourquet made Aug 2 at 2019 8:48 AM

2019-08-02T08:48:07-04:00

What is a POS like you doing in the Army?

Response by Sgt Donald Daugherty made Aug 18 at 2019 10:50 PM

2019-08-18T22:50:55-04:00

Well, from the grammar errors, sentence run-ons and complete lack of writing skills, I would assume you are not one to follow rules or pay attention. (Proof is in the pudding as they say.)
Why don't you just buckle down, play the game, follow the rules, and make a point of thanking the DS for showing you to the error of your ways. Play the game better than the DS. You will come out on top, earn their respect, and actually begin to feel like a productive and important part of the organization. SOLDIER ON...!!
Also, looking here for someone to back you up and agree with you is a lost cause. We have all been there, like you, and no one thinks a slacker deserves anymore free handouts of sympathy and puppy petting.

Response by PFC Steve Cox made Aug 19 at 2019 12:34 AM

2019-08-19T00:34:06-04:00

Well, from what you are telling me you haven't gotten the idea of what being a trainee was about, nor have you assimilated the military culture and learned to follow orders. The objective before you is simple. Do what you are ordered to do, every time you are told to do it, and don't delay action when you are given orders to do what ever it is. No questions, no excuses. The point of this is to get you to understand you are sacrificing your will and following orders despite your feelings. The military is not a feelings oriented organization.

There is no reason you can come up with for not obeying orders, but you are trying to have it your way despite the facts that you have been through basic training you do not behave in a manner consistent with that status. Taking your disagreement to the First Sergeant isn't going to help you get your way, nor is the treatment you have been subjected to all that unusual. The drill instructor's job is to make you a part of the military and you are failing to demonstrate you are able to follow orders and be part of the unit. You are behaving as if BCT never happened and you are not compliant. This is what is getting you in trouble.

When I joined the Army, near the end of Vietnam, my father, mother, (both Korean war veterans), and grandfather, (world war two Europe vet), who all served before me, told me the secret to success in the military - you need to know three answers; yes sir, no sir and no excuse sir. If you behave like a soldier you will be treated like one. The disadvantage you have is not having had a lot of discipline before, and you are not responding in a way that causes you the least amount of grief.

It's your choice, but instead of trying to get the DI in trouble - something I assure you is never going to happen - you should concentrating on your performance of your duty. It is called military service for a reason. They do not exist to make you happy or provide you with anything but an opportunity to serve your country. The sooner you realize that and behave accordingly, the easier your time in the military will be.

Response by SSG Ray Elliott made Aug 19 at 2019 9:32 AM

2019-08-19T09:32:08-04:00

I'm sure someone brought your unauthorized phone to the DIs attention which gives the DI reason to single you out and search your room. You made it through basic you can make it through this as well. Keep your nose clean and follow the rules. You were wrong to have cell phones in your possession that you were supposed to turn in, going to the 1st Sergeant would just bring more unwanted attention to you. My advice keep your room squared away, and spend the next 8 weeks towing the line and being the best soldier you can be.

Response by SGT Daniel Durkovich made Aug 19 at 2019 12:30 PM

2019-08-19T12:30:39-04:00

Suck it up. your new!

Response by GySgt Thomas Lieb made Aug 19 at 2019 3:21 PM

2019-08-19T15:21:29-04:00

I think the SFC and 1SG answering here, were more than charitable and absolutely correct. The short cut Marine Corps, answer would have been something like "you damn-skippy, I can search you and all yer s**t, it's mine. Did you think you were back on the block, smokin' and jokin'? You best stand by and rig for heavy (M-Fing) seas" (but of course, there's no swear words.)

Response by SPC Mark Maestas made Aug 20 at 2019 12:35 PM

2019-08-20T12:35:00-04:00

Quit being a fuck up, you fucked up own up too it. The only rights you have are the ones they allow you. If you want to survive pull your head out of your ass, your not sucking on Momas tit anymore, suck it up buttercup.

Response by SGT Kenneth Butler made Aug 20 at 2019 9:23 PM

2019-08-20T21:23:11-04:00

Be strong those things are only mental tests. But strength comes knowledge yes speak to your 1sgt if that don’t work try and open your eyes and keep your nose clean. This is all experience for you

Response by SGT Brad Watts made Aug 20 at 2019 9:52 PM

2019-08-20T21:52:28-04:00

If you feel this DS is truly has it out for you the first question is “why”. If you cannot honestly answer that question then yes you should go to you 1Sgt and report the DS. We had DI’s back when, and one hated our unit because we always kicked his units ass at everything. So he was always trying to burn us, fortunately my 1Sgt stopped by one night during one incident and saw what was going on. The DI got his ass ripped bad.

Response by SFC Robert Salmon made Aug 21 at 2019 6:30 AM

2019-08-21T06:30:05-04:00

Several other senior NCO’s already gave you sound advice. Personally it sounds like you need to adjust fire on your attitude. Stop doing wrong sh*t and get the head out of your duffel bag and get squared away. Your Drill Sergeants aren’t there to be your pal, they are there to help you learn and conform to the discipline required to be a soldier and teach you basic soldiering skills, so you can learn what it means to be a valuable part of the team. Dial down the whine and get yourself squared away and execute on the things you are supposed to. Meaning stop doing things you shouldn’t do and knock the chip off your shoulder. Keep your nose clean, and make your own luck.

Response by LTC Philip Marlowe made Aug 21 at 2019 11:35 PM

2019-08-21T23:35:47-04:00

PVT M. Have you ever heard of - periods, commas, exclamation marks and the use of simple punctuation? I know you know about question marks - you have ONE, exactly ONE, in your diatribe or should I say rant. I respect SFC VTS's effort to 'sift' through all of this to find your bottom line. My take on your bottom line is that 1) you screwed up, 2) you continued to screw up, 3) you admitted you were knew what you did and/or were doing and 4) you're suffering the consequences of your actions. I suggest you suck it up and square yourself away; learn from what your DS has done for you so far, because as a former Basic Training XO, if one of my drill sergeants brought you to my attention, you'd be a TDP Candidate. No harm no foul, just gone.

Response by LT Jason Godusky made Aug 22 at 2019 7:37 AM

2019-08-22T07:37:04-04:00

Probable cause... she heard you had another phone and you did! What part don't you understand.

Response by Cpl Kenneth Rowe made Aug 22 at 2019 8:13 AM

2019-08-22T08:13:04-04:00

Wow, this is painful to read, however in my opinion you have no expectation of privacy while you are in boot camp or AIT. Not so sure you have any even when you get to your MOS school either. I was in Marine Corps boot camp in 1991, but since when could you have personal phones with you?

Response by Sgt Aaron Cook made Aug 22 at 2019 8:17 AM

2019-08-22T08:17:16-04:00

Whoever you talk to, I hope you punctuate better. Posts like this remind me how we're now advertising the military to people who don't want to be in the military.

Response by SPC Mark Bickel made Aug 22 at 2019 10:23 AM

2019-08-22T10:23:11-04:00

The way I see it you broke the rules on more then one occasion. The DS has one of the most important job IMO. They have a short amount of time to instill the basic skills and discipline that will benefit you through your military career and hopefully through your civilian life. Whether or not you believe it the DS has your best interests in mind. Just remember that your decisions not to follow protocol can also affect your sister's or brother's in arms. You are a member of a large family.

Response by CPO Chris Kellar made Aug 22 at 2019 11:25 AM

2019-08-22T11:25:15-04:00

Square yourself away and this will be a mute point.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2019 11:45 AM

2019-08-22T11:45:12-04:00

Omg this is what the Army is coming too. Cry about this cry about that. Your not in daycare. Suck it up or get out. Simple as that. I have noticed thats all young soldiers do it bitch about this bitch about that. Its your choice right so make it but if your going to be butt hurt over little shit get out now save us the headaches.

Response by SSG Richard Rushing made Aug 22 at 2019 2:48 PM

2019-08-22T14:48:06-04:00

Know this... a "random room inspection" is almost NEVER random. There are always going to be those who think 'rules' and 'regulations' are a suggestion or simply guidelines to have for everyone else. Know this... what you do now and how you conduct your self in a military manner will shape the rest of your life for the good or quite possibly, not-so-good. We all have choices. You CHOSE to be a soldier. My suggestion is to Check your mindset from an entitled, "poor-me" , I'm being picked on, to one of try and figure out how to square yourself away. Get your s#!+ together troop. Find it in yourself to do a little self-evaluation. It sounds like you have yet to hear the phrase, "it's hard to soar with eagles when you run with turkeys..." if you attend regular meetings in the "chump-of-the-month club", you will become a charter member. Check your surroundings! Learn from your mistakes and quit repeating them.

If you think going to "TOP" is the answer, by all means tell the WHOLE story...
But maybe you might want to 'internalize' this problem in lieu of 'externalizing' it.
Get it together troop!
RLTW!

Response by 1LT Shaun Ray made Aug 22 at 2019 3:56 PM

2019-08-22T15:56:27-04:00

You are Gov't Issued Property. This sounds like the Army. As a civilian you have more rights to privacy. You are on Federal Property and your employer the US Gov't has the right to do anything they want to you or their property you have been allocated to use; within the governed Army Regulations and not outside UCMJ or criminal activity. Your DS is only trying to make you better and less of a civilian with character flaws. Be a Soldier, suck it up, and move out.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Aug 22 at 2019 5:05 PM

2019-08-22T17:05:05-04:00

Hi, I’m an MP. There is a police search and then there is following orders to empty your pockets. To stay safe legally, the orders are very appropriate.

Response by Sgt Bruce Boettcher made Aug 22 at 2019 5:34 PM

2019-08-22T17:34:42-04:00

First learn proper English 2nd your ass is their`s from the second you get there. Stop breaking the rules and maybe just maybe you will make it.

Response by Sgt Bruce Boettcher made Aug 22 at 2019 5:36 PM

2019-08-22T17:36:21-04:00

First either use spell check or learn proper English. 2nd your ass is their`s from the second you arrive. Try following the rules and not being a cry baby and maybe just maybe you will make it.

Response by SSG Ricky Findley made Aug 22 at 2019 6:35 PM

2019-08-22T18:35:21-04:00

A friendly piece of advice. At this point, you have to knuckle down, act cleaner and work smarter. I have told Soldiers I worked with and under my supervision...if you don't want to get yelled at, don't give people a reason to. Second, you need to look at this in the grand scheme of things. Its 8 weeks, not 2 years, not 4 years. Deployments last (usually), a lot longer than 8 weeks, and if you think it sucks now....stand by. This experience will be what you make of it. Attitude is everything.

Response by 1SG Brian Adams made Aug 23 at 2019 8:40 PM

2019-08-23T20:40:22-04:00

Drill Sergeants are highly trained NCOs. While you stay in government housing during your training, you are suspect to any and all inspections.
Yes the DS can inspect, and use your room as an example for a team building excersise.
Advice: get off the DS radar now or get out...if you feel discriminated, use your CoC. Good luck you Soldier!

Response by SPC Clay Wilson made Aug 24 at 2019 9:54 AM

2019-08-24T09:54:03-04:00

Grow up.

Response by LTC James Washington made Aug 24 at 2019 3:15 PM

2019-08-24T15:15:35-04:00

Well as the old song goes, "You're in the Army now!" You will learn that today there are no non-combatants. Your learning to instantly comply on these little things means that you will have the reflex to instantly comply in the big things some day - it may be the difference between your and your buddies living and dying. It seems a little ridiculous now but I and the other millions before you can assure you the system is fair and it truly works.

Response by LCpl Steve Smith made Aug 24 at 2019 4:00 PM

2019-08-24T16:00:58-04:00

yes

Response by SFC Michael Howell made Aug 25 at 2019 7:05 PM

2019-08-25T19:05:49-04:00

All that I can tell you is that this sign is posted at the entrance to nearly every Army base that I have ever visited.

Response by MAJ Richard Cheek made Aug 25 at 2019 7:38 PM

2019-08-25T19:38:21-04:00

Oh you don’t want ask me that question I’m an old school drill sgt. 1976 I’ve trashed more than one troops AO and I did it just because I knew the troop was get dope from someone on sick call.then when I found what I was looking for I didn’t bust the melon head I made him flush the whole kilo of mj down the toilet.

Response by SSG Brian G. made Aug 25 at 2019 9:37 PM

2019-08-25T21:37:14-04:00

*Cough* Umm.. first? Do not sit and listen to your AIT barracks lawyer buddies. They will get you in a LOT of trouble, quick. Second? You are NOT a civilian. That whole right to privacy and no searches thing without permission is a myth. You are in HER barracks. Which means that she or any other drill, any other NCO in the COC can search your stuff at will with or without your permission. She is doing her job, cranking the pressure on you and this other troop. Take it, keep your nose straight, learn your jobs and graduate. Keep it up and learn to be publicly humiliated and dogged for your time in AIT and the military.

Response by SGT Juan Robledo made Aug 25 at 2019 10:48 PM

2019-08-25T22:48:06-04:00

From reading up to now, it's your not to smart or thought that not following instructions from the get go, from the very beginning, you probably thought you could get away not listening, or following through with the very words coming out of your superiors, going through basic is a challenge, but listening and obeying is crucial, the reason your drill Sargent is going through your property is she is responsible for you and your behavior, you lack discipline and respect, I'm surprised you haven't been thrown out, if can't get through basic training what makes you think the military should spend their time and money on you, there are other people possibly waiting to replace you and make something of themselves, so you either man up or get you a job flipping burgers, the military wants and needs people they can trust and rely on

Response by SPC James Seigars made Aug 29 at 2019 11:33 PM

2019-08-29T23:33:14-04:00

PVT McHuntly I am going to tell you straight up that YOU are part of the reason that not only are Supply personnel such as myself (10 years out of 24 as a 76Y/92Y (76Y is what we used to be called) on top of three other MOS’s) looked down on by some, but also part of the reason I took disability/retirement in 2012. I just couldn’t take the “woah is me, I’m being persecuted. Save me, Congressman/IG/Mommy” BS any more. Being a 92Y was the second easiest job I had & the easiest AIT (at a time when the cadre could still lay hands on you if you didn’t do what you were told). So I have no remorse & a small amount of sympathy for you (IF the part about only FEMALES being brought to you room to embarrass you is true, which I doubt). Anyway let’s discuss:

1. First off, it is the wrong FOOT, not hand; Second, you were NOT off the radar from what you wrote above; Third, it is a room INSPECTION, not EXPECTATION; and last of all, Learn how to use punctuation. You will be writing a lot and need to make your requests as easy to read & understand as possible since your supervisor, platoon leader/sergeant, 1SG, Commander, etc are all very busy people and don’t have time to read your requests, memos, etc. multiple times trying to figure out what you are needing from them.

2. Your DS DOES NOT HATE YOU in all likelihood. She is just doing her job and it is most likely nothing personal. Part of your training is for her & her partner to get you from point A to point B on time & in the correct uniform. She also has to make sure you keep up the standards, good order & discipline that are REQUIRED of EVERY soldier regardless of MOS with part of those duties being to make random room inspections at any time & take appropriate action if the standards aren’t met (which you obviously aren’t since I am guessing you have somehow managed to get a THIRD illegal cell phone so you could post on RP).

3. She doesn’t need your permission to do the above mentioned random room inspections (and even if it was a targeted room inspection YOU have given her (heck, you have given anyone reading/answering this post) more than enough probable cause to do so (I worked with the Military Police for five years and so I know this to be true).

4. Someone (if not more than one someone) doesn’t like you and the other person you claim who keeps getting in trouble along with you very much. Otherwise how would the DS KNOW that you had another phone hidden away? You may think this person or these people are pieces of crap for turning you in, but they are not. They are actually making the ethical & honorable choice to turn you in so they can maintain their & your classes overall integrity.

5. Last point of discussion, DON’T take this to the 1SG unless you are looking to be reprimanded and/or discharged under Chapter 13 for Failure to Adapt to Military Life or one of several others that are available for them to use in cases like yours. Suck it up, Man up, Straighten up and most of all quit complaining about how hard TRAINING is. YOU aren’t in SEAR school, helicopter or airplane flight school, special forces or even overseas getting shot at (and if you were and they are still a thing (I have been out 7 years) stress cards wouldn’t do you a bit of good.

Just my opinion. I’m only a old, beat up, retired soldier who has four MOS’s on top of on the job training in three others and has 24 years experience being/working with lower enlisted because I didn’t want to make over SSG since they more Delegate to the troops than actually work with them in most cases (a few exceptions such as Infantry and Artillery come to mind). Obviously I don’t know how it is to be in your shoes or anything.

Response by Cpl George Willard made Aug 31 at 2019 12:21 PM

2019-08-31T12:21:19-04:00

When I was in the Marine Corps,(1960-1964) long before the internet, we didn't question the DI's authority to inspect anything we had at any time. ITR was more of the same, the Troop Handlers had complete authority to hold an inspection at any time, and to enact that discipline that any infraction gained us. If you came "over the radar" because of previous infractions and are foolish enough to keep on doing observable screw-ups. I would tell you that it's just about time you grew up and figured out how to live like a Marine or Soldier. If you don't, you term of enlistment is going to be a long, miserable one, and you will have brought it on yourself. Don't look for sympathy from an "older than dirt" Marine.

Response by 1SG Alan Boggs made Sep 1 at 2019 11:28 AM

2019-09-01T11:28:30-04:00

Private, if you dont think that the First Sergeant already knows all about this and likely knew before it happened, you have alot to learn about the relationship between NCOs

Response by PO1 William Van Syckle made Sep 3 at 2019 11:51 AM

2019-09-03T11:51:53-04:00

From what I have read, a lot of 1Sgt’s have responded to you. If I were you, I would take all of it onboard and heed. You are in training right now. The easy part. Once you get into the Real Army, a whole new world where you are responsible for your actions and deeds. Don’t screw up and buy the Big Chicken Dinner. It will ruining your life. Time for you to soldier up.....

Response by PO3 Daniel Jones made Sep 4 at 2019 8:50 PM

2019-09-04T20:50:06-04:00

I am so glad I went through basic when I did. I could not stand these SJW snowflake kids these days who act entitled and need their safe space. The rules are the rules period. Follow them. Easiest way through basic and follow on schools is to be a ghost. Don't do things to get you noticed. Learn what is being taught to you.

You signed your rights away when you signed those papers and took thee oath. You belong to the Department of Defense now until you complete your commitment or are discharged for some reason beforehand. Pull up those boot straps. Focus on learning what it is to be in the Armed Forces. Get rid of those distractions. Be a part of the team. I have know idea what your MOS is but at the end of the day you are still a soldier. You need to prepare yourself for anything that may come up in your time in service. Try and focus and pay attention to those skills that will keep you and those around you alive and also filling the role of your MOS at a top tier level. If you are going to be dealing with command staff in your MOS they will WANT, even expect you to follow the rules more than others.

It is still early and you will still have a lot to learn. Best of luck to you but for yourself and those you will be serving with focus on what is important.

EDIT: I forgot to add that even in my fairly recent years of 2001-2002 if one of us made an infraction it fell back on EVERYONE. Be lucky your 1Sgt didn't make it rain in your barracks with everyone. Happened to us more than once. 8-Count Body Builders until the room was steaming, water dripping off the ceiling and at least 4-5 have puked. Really makes you realize how your actions affects others even if you thought it didn't matter. If you were deployed, had an unauthorized communication device and used it where it wasn't authorized you could of compromised the safety of your soldiers around you or wherever you were deployed. I places like AFG that cell signal could get you killed or reveal your position. I know it sounds drastic but that is the cold hard reality of things.

Response by 1SG James Kelly made Sep 15 at 2019 9:53 PM

2019-09-15T21:53:30-04:00

Yes.

Response by SGT Richard Lambert made Oct 4 at 2019 10:49 AM

2019-10-04T10:49:43-04:00

Sorry but I think either you need to adjust your attitude right now or life will be very hard for you for as long as you are able to stay in service. Multiple counselings while still in training is not good. Speaking of your rights as if you are civilian indicates a lack of understanding of the nature of military service. MAny or most recruits feel that drill sergeants are out to get them initially, that is part of ds job... To train you to accept your role and responsibilities. Honestly, based on your how you have handled it it might be true at this point. Hate to tell you this but if you choose to battle the DS authority you will lose, they have all the power. If you are still getting counselings that says they have not given up on you yet, a counseling is intended to document non-compliance AND to give a chance. But with the info you have submitted it feels like you may be on thin ice.

Response by CPL Justin Higgins made Oct 9 at 2019 12:02 AM

2019-10-09T00:02:56-04:00

If you are caught breaking the rules then you have to pay the consequences. Move on and do better it’s a simple fix. The real problem is when you get to your unit and you have nowhere to hide. I personally have never been “that guy.” But I know many others that have. Do I think that the Army crosses the line with bullying? Yes, I have seen it myself. Some NCO’ s and 1SG seem to be fixated on certain soldiers, and they do have a way of singling people out and not allowing for a quick recovery when mistakes are made. Honestly, I have never seen it help much of anything. When people are singled out it makes “that guy” say f*** off. And that’s the attitude you have to avoid as this will bring more problems. The kind of self-defeating false logic that says, “The beatings will continue until morale improves.” Is something your going to have to get used to. Just do what you were trained to do in Basic Training and you will be fine.

Response by SSG George Duncan made Oct 12 at 2019 7:42 PM

2019-10-12T19:42:34-04:00

not unless he has an MP on his sleeve

Response by Brad Miller made Oct 14 at 2019 10:47 AM

2019-10-14T10:47:06-04:00

"I told her that I've been staying under the radar"? Serious question -- are you STUPID? You just ADMITTED to wrong-doing, to the person who is trying to teach you about doing things RIGHT.

Response by LTJG Sandra Smith made Oct 19 at 2019 6:51 PM

2019-10-19T18:51:27-04:00

Have you tried talking with her? If not, that'd be the proper 1st step, and if that achieves nothing then go up the chain, but no, don't just tolerate that kind of invasion. If she's being entirely hostile toward you all the time, perhaps take a witness along.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2019 2:07 PM

2019-10-28T14:07:32-04:00

OMG. This has to be a joke. WTF is a recruit doing with either a phone or internet access to post this? Also.. you’re offended? Being offended is an emotion and you better get over that crap now or your life is going to be hell snowflake.
Here’s the only 3 rules you need to succeed in Basic and AIT. So sit down, shut up and read: Rule 1. You are 1 link in a long chain, Be the strongest link! Rule 2. Be where you need to be early and do exactly what your told without hesitation and to It to the absolute best of your ability. Never accept mediocrity! Rule 3. If you are offended or feel like you know better.. See Rule 1.

Response by SPC Tim LaFountain made Oct 28 at 2019 7:31 PM

2019-10-28T19:31:13-04:00

I think you better get yourself squared away, and get back under the radar. If you don't its going to be a very rough 8 weeks that you might not make it to the end of, and permanent duty can have its problems too.

Response by SGT Michael Smith made Oct 28 at 2019 8:55 PM

2019-10-28T20:55:20-04:00

Sounds like you been trouble from day one .an not doing any better saying flying under radar an still having object u know u r not authorized to have .instead of worrying about who to tell you was found doing something wrong.try working on being better Soldier.an if you go to first sergeant be sure to be ready to tell him why you had the 2nd phone.

Response by CPL David Rasch made Oct 29 at 2019 3:55 PM

2019-10-29T15:55:33-04:00

No sympathy. Did Basic at Ft. Lewis before it was combined, whatever that is(1971) and AIT at Ft. Sill. D.I's were GODS or at least on a first name basis with the Deity. Part of all training is DISCIPLINE. It saves lives. Talk with the first shirt? You gotta be kiddin'.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2019 9:29 AM

2019-10-30T09:29:57-04:00

A Drill Sergeant does not need permission/search warrant to search your belonging. As a Soldier in training, you belong to the Drill Sergeant and if he/she has any suspicion that something is not right, he/she can do as he/she pleases "as long as it's not unethical, immoral or illegal". As a prior Drill Sergeant, I've searched quite a few Soldiers wall locker on a one on one basis, because there was something suspicious about them. It always turned out that my Drill Sergeant sense was on point. You have to understand that we all were at one point a trainee and the majority of us did the same things that you all are doing right now, thinking that we won't know or find out about it.

Response by Cpl Clifford Hager made Oct 30 at 2019 12:19 PM

2019-10-30T12:19:06-04:00

First, You gave up your civilian constitutional rights the minute you signed your enlistment contract. You are now governed by the UCMJ. Personally, I would keep my mouth shut and learn what military discipline is for. It's not to get "back" at you, it's not to pick on you, it's not to protect you from harsh superiors. While admittedly, there are sometimes A-holes in command, by your own post, you were in the wrong. Own up to it, quit wining.

Now here's the lesson: Military discipline is to ensure that every soldier, sailor, airman and Marine are part of the team. There are really, only two, top tier reasons for this: For the team to win the battle is number one, to protect the lives of your teammates is number two. If you're not playing with the team, you are a danger to others. Learn the rules, know the rules and obey the rules. Be a proud United States Soldier. Or don't. Your choice, but its pretty simple.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2019 9:11 PM

2019-10-30T21:11:03-04:00

As a drill sergeant I will say yes we can do that. I don’t much think your drill sergeant would want to go against anything 350-6 says. If you can’t handle being fucked with, then I don’t think you’ll enjoy the real army. This is just the beginning private. If you feel there is an EO complaint follow the proper channels and use them.

Response by 1SG Billye Jackson made Oct 31 at 2019 8:47 AM

2019-10-31T08:47:14-04:00

By all Means come on in to my Office and whine like the Little Bi53h you sound Like. Then you will be on My Radar, and Trust me that is a Place you don't want to Be. Oh and you would Leave with a Little less $$$,and Time. to use you Illegal Phone.

Response by SFC Scott Higgins made Oct 31 at 2019 9:45 AM

2019-10-31T09:45:56-04:00

So your in AIT, just out of basic and you think a veteran sergeant is treating you unfairly because you violated policy with not just one but two phones? Give me a break. Your barracks room is inspectable at any time. Since you presented a phone, and are, as you stated, prone to judgement errors, she decided to look further and caught your second phone? Your LUCKY. I would have taken you to the First Sergeant and had you handed an Article 15 and possibly chaptered out of the service. If you can't handle the "Freedom" an adult has. Perhaps you should ask for the chapter yourself.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2019 3:18 PM

2019-10-31T15:18:34-04:00

So now I’m just curious if you made it

Response by SGT Rachel H made Nov 1 at 2019 6:17 AM

2019-11-01T06:17:31-04:00

Really now, I must not be reading correct. He joking ....I just hope you make it.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2019 7:56 AM

2019-11-01T07:56:14-04:00

I think you should shape up or ship out. The Military isn’t for everyone. This isn’t a “You must accept me as I am” career field. You need to do some self evaluation. You should also look for ways to turn it around in the eyes of your instructor. Volunteer for everything. KP, Flag Detail, hell, even Guidon Bearer. You need some responsibility Soldier. Being responsible will create a fresh sheet for you to start learning how to be a Leader. You also need to stop the complaining. Yes, you are being singled out. Yes it’s deserved because you haven’t displayed that you can do the right thing. You obviously care about your career as you are here, even if you’re complaining for the wrong reason. It’s still very early for you. Good luck.

Response by SGT Danny Strzyzewski made Nov 1 at 2019 8:42 AM

2019-11-01T08:42:49-04:00

It's definently a new Army. More worried about your electronics than squaring away your AO. You're setting yourself, and your roommate, up for failure and putting a target on your back for everyone (peers included) to aim at.

Flying under the radar doesn't mean having a history of breaking policy. You "forgot" your phone? You're full of it....that's the most important thing to this generation.

Response by SrA John Monette made Nov 1 at 2019 9:00 AM

2019-11-01T09:00:03-04:00

YOU unlocked the locker so she could search it. That is, essentially, giving her permission. However, like SFC Jason Boyd stated, the barracks are your DS's responsibility. Now grow up and start adulting.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2019 2:35 PM

2019-11-01T14:35:34-04:00

The simplest way I can break this down for you is in 4 words: "They say. You do."

End of story

Response by PO3 Mike Bek made Nov 1 at 2019 4:29 PM

2019-11-01T16:29:37-04:00

You can't take it. Oh my god! Your in the militarhly now. Just keep everything as it's suposed to be. Do what your told. Every time youd told. No matter what it is. They're trying to teach you discipline l, and it appears you have given them reason to be using you as an example of what not to do. I'm pretty sure your DI doesn't have it out for you. I think if you spend a little more time on things and lose any attitude you might be showing, it will be different soon. The biggest thing most DI's hate is attitudes. You need to get into the military attitude not the one you had at home or with your friends. Im not saying that you have a bad attitude, but the attitude is not showing as a military attitude. It's called a military state of mind. As for your personal items. Unless there is anyfhing to hide in there then just clean if up and move on. They usually trying to help to keep you gounv in a straight line. And, if they see something thats going the wrong way. They try to correct it before it gets noticed by someone who can make real trouble. They show you real attitude. But thats part of teaching you self control and to follow orders. Don't take it personally. Just take what they give and say yez ma'am or yes sir. It will get easier.

Response by Cpl Jeff Ruffing made Nov 2 at 2019 2:51 AM

2019-11-02T02:51:45-04:00

Wow! So much wrong in this story. You’re painting yourself as a victim. You’re this innocent person and the DS is gunning for you and another guy. Birds of a feather flock together. Take responsibility for your actions. Stop running your mouth, square your shit away, toe the line, but don’t step over the line. If you have problems with this Professional person, who I may remind you went thru hell to get her patch, more hell than you’ve gone thru, than there will be others. Unless you grow up and accept personal responsibility you’ll wind up with a less than Honorable discharge, blaming someone else for your situation. You are in the real world now.

Response by Jerry Rivas made Nov 3 at 2019 2:19 PM

2019-11-03T14:19:12-05:00

OMG, You think you have RIGHTS as a trainee? Maybe you need to rethink your lifes choices.

Response by Capt Dennis Tague made Nov 3 at 2019 7:45 PM

2019-11-03T19:45:53-05:00

You were wrong. Deal with it.

And I'm glad I got to see the longest run-on sentence in the history of the English language before I die.

Response by SSG Randy Jeter made Nov 7 at 2019 9:07 AM

2019-11-07T09:07:20-05:00

It has been my experience that anytime you have a Drill Instructor you will have no freedom. The military is not the real world. If you can not adapt you need to leave. You probably should have checked out in basic training. Go to your 1st Sargent and let him know. That's his job.

Response by SGT Arthur Sr made Nov 7 at 2019 3:15 PM

2019-11-07T15:15:07-05:00

You can handle this! I went through it myself...

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2019 10:03 PM

2019-11-07T22:03:34-05:00

I'm assuming by now you're out of AIT unless you got recycled. I'm sure your DS hates everyone in your platoon equally unless you're making yourself stand out more. Maybe there's a snitch in the barracks or some other trainee who is spreading lies around that you are hiding drugs in your locker. Usually the guilty ones point the most fingers at others to take the attention off themselves. I've seen it many times.
Maybe you remind your DS of a few horrible trainees she had in the last class. If you want attention you'll get it and it may not be what you were expecting. Just pay attention and do as you're told. Don't smile either. We had cool instructors when I was in AIT. We did our job and we got along fine.
When you signed on the dotted line you just became property of the U. S. Army. Leave your civilian rank back home. When you arrive at AIT, you should be better prepared to start the next chapter of training. This sounds more like BCT or even high school theatrics.
By the way, where is the punctuation? Periods and Paragraph breaks are easier to read than one long sentence with no break. I can't tell when one sentence ends and the other begins. I couldn't finish reading it. If you write like this in AIT classes then no wonder your DS doesn't like you. She was probably a teacher before enlisting.

Response by PO2 David Ball made Nov 8 at 2019 2:54 PM

2019-11-08T14:54:56-05:00

Get out now... If you think that your constitutional rights in boot camp have been violated you are WRONG... You are not even allowed to call your self a Private... That is reserved for those who graduate boot... Or your next stop during training. Like yours.
Oh by the way next time take a good look at the sign in front by the gate. The one that says warning ALL persons or vehicles are subject to search at any time WITHOUT A WARRANT!!! YES, THAT MEANS YOU!!! And everyone else who crosses that red line ... Or blue line on some Navy Bases.....
One more thing, please either use Grammarly or some other app because run-on sentences are really hard to read...

Response by SSG Mark Franzen made Nov 15 at 2019 6:44 PM

2019-11-15T18:44:41-05:00

No one can touch unless you give them permission

Response by SSG William Bruno made Nov 18 at 2019 1:36 PM

2019-11-18T13:36:31-05:00

I think I want to hear your DS's point of view. I suspect you are angry for getting caught and you are not telling the whole story. :(

Response by PO1 Timothy Kline made Nov 18 at 2019 5:52 PM

2019-11-18T17:52:03-05:00

AIT type training has changed since I was active duty... Cell Phones????!! Just for that issue alone I want 50 pushups... smh.

Response by 2LT Sal Mortillaro made Nov 23 at 2019 8:38 AM

2019-11-23T08:38:06-05:00

WTF kind of question is this?

Response by SSG David Kaelin made Nov 24 at 2019 4:13 PM

2019-11-24T16:13:29-05:00

I don't understand.

You're in Basic to learn, train and become a soldier. You're not there for drama.

Say; "Yes, Drill Sergeant!" Learn and shut your pie hole.

You sound like a whining child.

It sounds like you don't belong in the Army. Perhaps, your Drill Sergeant is correct and should continue putting everything on paper and get you out before you get someone killed.

Response by PO2 Lewis Brockman made Nov 27 at 2019 7:15 AM

2019-11-27T07:15:25-05:00

Nutt up buttercup there is no safe place here where you can be happy and safe. You need to either quit or become what all of us here were or are , a WARRIOR, I would never want a whine bag like you watching my back in a firefight, you might break s nail and get distracted,. So for the sake of the service quit they do not need you.

Response by 1LT Christopher Gonzales made Nov 27 at 2019 9:00 AM

2019-11-27T09:00:55-05:00

If you honestly believe that you are being harassed and targeted, there are ways to address this. Your CoC, IG, etc.

But, and I mean this as solid advice, you need to make sure you are respecting the facts.

And it doesn't sound like they are. It sounds like your DS has been using DA 4856 to note your development. It sounds like you, of your own admission, are failing to adapt to military life. It sounds like you failed to follow the standard and a lawful order.

So, you're at a crossroads: do you raise this concern or do you accept it and fly under the radar? I'm telling you that this moment is not that moment to make your stand. AIT is such a small portion of your military career that it is easier to just follow instructions and do what is right and respects the facts. Your DS is responsible for your training and development. You are responsible for being moldable and trainable.

Response by SPC Michael Harmer made Nov 27 at 2019 9:15 AM

2019-11-27T09:15:20-05:00

Are you serious? You yunguns have it easy these days. Why make your situation worse by taking up the chain of command? Just shut your mouth, do as you are asked or told and let it be.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 27 at 2019 11:44 AM

2019-11-27T11:44:32-05:00

I would Recommend you keep your head down and do the right thing unfortunately you are going to cross paths with a lot of people in the military that think they are way more important than what they really are. Yes you got off on the wrong foot and you can take responsibility for that but taking corrective action, ask for a consult with the DS to find out what you need to do while there to be better, man I would say look in the mirror are you a shit head looking for others to excuse your behavior not gonna happen but if you are seriously being singled out then use your chain of Command. There are a lot of asshole DS and the ARMY breeds it. Play by the rules while your there and move on to the next phase, military life is transient and everything will pass, mark my words.

Response by SPC Joe Coyle made Nov 27 at 2019 7:05 PM

2019-11-27T19:05:43-05:00

Absolutely. The Army isn't a college dorm where yoiu can have pillow parties and chat all day on cell phones. It's a fighting unit with rules and regulations. When one chooses to push the envelope, one suffers the consequences. My advice: comply with the program, quit whining and shape up or ship out.

Response by SPC Kyle Olson made Nov 29 at 2019 8:29 AM

2019-11-29T08:29:34-05:00

Man, what is happening to the Military? Yes she can search you, you're a piece of government property. You signed up for this, focus more on your job and being good at it. I bet Russian soldiers don't ask these dumb questions.

Response by Sgt Charles Welling made Nov 29 at 2019 11:36 AM

2019-11-29T11:36:33-05:00

You sound like a damned wuss...………. get out, the military needs real men, not liberal trash.

Response by SFC Richard Bensen made Nov 30 at 2019 8:06 AM

2019-11-30T08:06:30-05:00

Good grief...This young man will definitely have a tough road ahead.Sadly though this is how the young have been raised.No doubt when I went to AIT drill sergeants were like God...The key to survival was to learn and show respect. Do as you were instructed and keep your mouth shut....

Response by 1SG Jimmy Bacon made Nov 30 at 2019 11:07 AM

2019-11-30T11:07:15-05:00

If you want the military as a career then do what is expected. Experience tells us that there are assholes in every profession so my advice: Suck it up. You want be there forever. Guaranteed your TOE Unit will be better. Hang in there.

Response by SFC Freddie Porter made Dec 1 at 2019 10:37 PM

2019-12-01T22:37:15-05:00

I’m trying to figure out, in my furry little brain, why a PV1, AIT soldier is on this site when he’s in a total control training training environment to start with. Couple that with the outright balls to question/criticize the performance of duty of a SNCO drill instructor and now I’m really baffled. Is this the high quality soldier we’ve recruited into today’s army? Holy shit, what balls you have PVT. Be extremely happy, thrilled and great full you will never be associated with the majority of personnel on this site. Just about everyone would be thrilled to provide you with some old school wall-to-wall counseling just for GP but specifically for having the audacity to even think about writing some dumb shit bullshit concerning a SNCO like you have here. Put your head down and try to learn you’re not living in mommy and daddy’s basement any longer. You are in a training “total control” environment being provided an opportunity to become a soldier. Suck it up buttercup.

Response by SSG Michael Doolittle made Dec 2 at 2019 2:13 AM

2019-12-02T02:13:35-05:00

I recall a Drill Sgt in my AIT infantry unit was the LAW... Here I am 20 plus years out of the Army and I am out sailing @ 1984 and the Coast Guard Vessel comes alongside and says "Prepare to e boarded", I have no choice, they come aboard and everyone on the vessel is held under guard on deck and the leader of the Boarding Party & the Vessel Skipper (me) go below and they search every inch of my vessel, for no real reason, just that they can... I think they choose my vessel as there were 3 very attractive bikini clad women on board sunning as we sailed.... So a drill Sgt tipping over your room in AIT.... What is the Army coming to, clean it up and move on...

Response by 1SG Ernest Stull made Dec 2 at 2019 9:26 AM

2019-12-02T09:26:18-05:00

Wrong the DS is your mother,father, etc as the song goes so buttercup you think that a NCO does not have the right to search only u. Well let me tell you he or she does if they have probable cause.

Response by SGT Thomas LaRochelle made Dec 2 at 2019 4:25 PM

2019-12-02T16:25:01-05:00

You were told to do something and you didn't so you found yourself on the wrong end of an aggressive room inspection. WOW! First of all, when I went through Basic and AIT, or whatever it is called nowadays, back in 1987, there were no such thing as cell phones. It is my opinion that they be confiscated at the first formation at Basic and AIT. Why is it that people can't go 30sec without a phone in their hand? I digress.

Now, you volunteered to join the military. This is a whole different way of life. As a squad leader I had to deal with "soldiers" who just didn't get the concept that their life changed when they joined. Every trainee is taught the chain of command and that you obey the orders of those in positions above you. When I was a private, it was very simple; you do what your sergeant, or maybe even a corporal, tells you to do, NO QUESTIONS! Just do it! It may be a stupid, little thing to you but you not obeying that order tells your leaders that you cannot be trusted to do what you are told and in a combat situation, you will get people, your buddies, killed. You do not have to like your sergeant, but you do have to do what those stripes tell you to do.

What is this "I'm not use to the freedom" crap? What freedom? You are a trainee. A Private. You have no authority to do Jack. You sound like a 14 year old telling your parents that they are not allowed in your room because it infringes on your privacy. The only trouble is that they own the house your room is in, therefore they own your room, therefore the room is theirs, you just occupy it. Your room at AIT and everything in it, bunk, locker, foot locker etc, belong to the government. They DS's, as representatives of the govt, can search them whenever the feel necessary. You may not like it but that is the way it is. As we use to say back in the day, you are not back on the block anymore. You are in the military now. You are US govt property. This bitchin' about you getting a room toss, which, by the way, is a long standing part of the military, which most of us have gone through, tells everyone who sees your post that you are a little whiner. Whiners will find themselves receiving more attention from DS's. DS's consider this a sign that you need extra special, personal, training because you just aren't getting it like everyone else. That is their job, to weed out the weak so they are left with the best soldiers to pass on to permanent units. Your future commanders do not want a bunch of babies to have to deal with. They want properly trained professionals who can be trusted and counted on to do what they are told without questioning every single order because you feel it infringes upon your rights or freedom. Just grow up and do your job, do what you are told and your life will be a lot more easy. If you can't, then by all means, get out and go back to Mommy and Daddy and leave it to someone who can handle a little pressure. I bet you used those "stress cards" alot in Basic, huh?

I got out with close to 12 years because I was told I was too hard on my soldiers. Like I was going to let some private dictate how I was going to run my squad. The Army doesn't change to suit your lifestyle, your lifestyle changed when you joined the military, or at least I thought.

Response by SPC Stephen Kraft made Dec 2 at 2019 9:13 PM

2019-12-02T21:13:46-05:00

Have you ever heard of a period? The punctuation mark, not the menstrual cycle. You should learn to use them. They are going to come in handy when you are tasked with writing your responses to counseling statements you are sure to get.

Response by CPT Cavett Ishihara made Dec 2 at 2019 10:49 PM

2019-12-02T22:49:06-05:00

My DS tossed my stuff every day. I owe them all my life for the lifelong lessons they provided me. 25 years later and I still remember their names. Look at the big picture or get out.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2019 11:24 AM

2019-12-03T11:24:21-05:00

I don't know about the Army AIT but in the Marine Corps Schoolhouses you're not allowed to search a Marine's locked gear without authorization from higher. Thay being said, although she is in the wrong it sounds like you should really be trying to get your stuff together and change her perception of you. Used to freedom of AIT or not, you're an adult and are expected to act as such.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2019 11:55 AM

2019-12-03T11:55:52-05:00

*glares in NCO*

Response by SSG Russell Bothwell made Dec 3 at 2019 11:14 PM

2019-12-03T23:14:26-05:00

The fact you still had an “old phone”, just confirmed that the DS had their shit together. Somehow the DS knew you were not giving up all the phones when told to do so. Don’t let the door hit you on your early out ass!

Response by SGT Robert Pryor made Dec 4 at 2019 6:23 AM

2019-12-04T06:23:33-05:00

Your are missing a HUGE aspect of your training and a reason for your DS being so meticulous. To survive in combat requires you to always be meticulous in your attention to detail. Obviously you failed that in AIT by having anything otherwise banned. Pay closer attention to detail and appreciate the fact that your DI is trying to toughen you up to increase your survivability -- as well as the chances of your comrades in arms surviving -- and a successful completion of your mission. If anything, rather than criticizing your DS or sniveling to the 1SGT, go thank the DS for caring so much. Trying to justify your brain-farts when you are in contact with enemy combatants just might get you killed. Accept it and try harder. Focus on the mission, and at this point your mission is to be the best soldier you can be, not to see how you can get away with petty BS. Don't make me go read your name on some memorial wall someplace because you were more interested in what you could get away with than being the best soldier you can be, according to your gifts.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 4 at 2019 7:06 AM

2019-12-04T07:06:04-05:00

Sorry but you're still in training so yes they have a right to toss your stuff and go through it. If they lay a hand on you then that's wrong but you have no privacy when you are there. You should have been use to it from the beginning of training and carry that through the rest of OSUT. Just because you passed the BCT part does not mean you get a free pass in AIT.

Response by SFC Francisco Roman made Dec 4 at 2019 9:45 AM

2019-12-04T09:45:27-05:00

If you're doing something wrong correct yourself and take time to speak with this Drill Sergeant. You're going through a phase of life that this Drill Sergeant is hard enough to make sure you keep your head up and change the way you are going.. Don't go over the chain of command keep it true to your self. Hope it all works out. DRILL SARGENT ROMAN

Response by 1SG Steven Fisher made Dec 5 at 2019 8:41 AM

2019-12-05T08:41:35-05:00

A DS hates no one, it’s the head game they play to weed out weak personnel. It may feel she’s picking on you but but remember you were the wrong for keeping things you didn’t report. Ever soldier has to be able to count on one another it’s a tight knit family of trust. If you think your doing something wrong you probably are. Show your DS you can overcome your mistakes. The military is a great life with great friends to last a life time.
Retired US Army 1st. Sgt.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2019 5:43 PM

2019-12-05T17:43:59-05:00

BLUF: To answer your question... Yes. Cadre (not just YOUR Drill, ANY Cadre) can search your room, wall locker, foot locker, luggage, and your person at any time. Your command can request a dog sweep by the MPs at anytime. They don’t need probable cause. They absolutely don’t need your consent. That’s just how it is. He who does nothing wrong has nothing to fear. You’re not back on the block dealing with civilian law enforcement.
A “health and welfare inspection” can happen at anytime.
FYSA: once you get to your assignment, the same rules will apply as long as you live in the barracks.

Response by SPC Ed Mazan made Dec 5 at 2019 5:55 PM

2019-12-05T17:55:45-05:00

You should definitely report this to your 1st Sgt or CO. Things will get cleared up right away!

Response by SPC Ed Mazan made Dec 5 at 2019 6:10 PM

2019-12-05T18:10:43-05:00

You should definitely report this to your DIIC , 1st sgt or CO. They will get you taken care of right away!

Response by TSgt David Olson made Dec 5 at 2019 7:43 PM

2019-12-05T19:43:34-05:00

When you enter any military installation you automatically allow for search and seizure of both body and belongings. This warning is posted by all entrance gates. As to your DS ‘hating’ you, I was a USAF training instructor(same as DS) for basic training enlisted. I did not have time to hate any of my more than 600 trainees, over my three year tour of duty. What you do is look for obvious sign(s) of not adjusting to military life. That’s the purpose of basic training, to teach you how to accept and follow orders. The second is to get you acclimated to military life and the way that that life is different from civilian life. You volunteered, took an oath.

Response by SFC Terry Bryant made Dec 5 at 2019 8:35 PM

2019-12-05T20:35:29-05:00

You are in Military Service. Even if you were a 1 star general, when you are on post you are subject to search without warning or warrant. As a AIT student you have no freedoms, you have no rights. You belong to the US Government. Now don't take that to mean you don't have due process if accused of a crime. Suck it up Soldier and be a little more humble, do what the DS tells you without question and drive on. 8 weeks is a short time in your life to be insubordinate and get it on your permanent military record.

Response by SPC Douglas Hearron made Dec 5 at 2019 11:07 PM

2019-12-05T23:07:06-05:00

Wait wait wait!!!! You can have a phone in ait? And you’re sensitive about inspections wth?!? So we are forming an army of sissy’s? I was hoping the rumors of how soft it’s gotten were false, but this ridiculous post confirms it.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2019 1:17 AM

2019-12-06T01:17:04-05:00

Kid if they bring dogs in even and the dogs sound off on ur stuff they can do anything. they can do it in front of u or when ur not there. I used a certain brand of nationally known vitamins when I was in and the dog would always sound off on my vitamins they even tested them and they tested me every time and I came out clean. My draws were always just turned out on the bed and floor. That happened three or four times when I hit perm. party U clean up and go back to work. I was clean every time so it was something I had to put up with. They have the right to keep the soldiers clean of stuff and if they think only think u have been doing wrong ur on their radar and u opened ur self up for special attention.
And so u know even if u have it documented with signatures from others even on Perm party u will not only likely ruin their career u will find urs done with also.

u put ur self on their radar so u caused what ur getting now.

And u get to have phones in AIT. We didn't get to use phones until they let us in AIT or when they finally started giving us a weekend off here or there to could go us a pay phone. U think u have rights that u really do not have because of the history u created.

And think about this and if this has changed its really gotten stupid lax in the military.
They had the right to do spot inspections on anyone. One person or random. If ur bed was not made right in their eyes they flip it, If u didn't have the clothes all just the way they told u then it was on the floor they see a couple things wrong they just throw everything on the floor and tell u to put it all back and to do it military RIGHT this time.

Response by SGT Larry Braswell made Dec 6 at 2019 1:42 PM

2019-12-06T13:42:54-05:00

Yeah, troop... you should definitely go complain to your top...lol...and then your CO... lmao To make it even more interesting you ought to go right on and write a letter to your senator and copy your drill so they can see you are serious and someone not to be trifled with... LOL!!!...but let us know before you do so we can make sure we have lots of popcorn... :) Hope you like PT.

Grow up, be a soldier... be someone who can be counted on and not someone who is a detriment to your squad, your unit and your ARMY. GET SELF OUT OF THE DAMNED WAY BEFORE YOU END UP BEING DISCHARGED FOR OTHER THAN HONORABLE CONDITIONS!

Response by SFC Roland Price made Dec 6 at 2019 2:48 PM

2019-12-06T14:48:18-05:00

I noticed in your comment that you said you and this Drill Sergeant got off on the wrong foot (don't know what that entails but it doesn't sound good). I also saw that upon searching your belongings, this same Drill found an extra phone that you had hidden. I make no assumptions of your character as you don't owe me anything. What I will say is, if your Drill had reason to believe you were hiding contraband/extra phones and then it turns out that you were, then that is a indicator that you willingly broke the rules in addition to hiding that fact, making you appear dishonest. Whether you are or not is not for me to judge at all.

What I will say is in 97' when I began basic, I hated ALL of my drills (some in particular) and I was pretty sure they hated me. They were mean, physically menacing and on one occasion, a Drill literally told me that my wife was out sleeping around on me after seeing her picture in my wall locker. There was always a threat of some form of physical violence and those that couldn't hack it, left. After completing AIT, I went to my first duty station where I spent three years getting in/out of trouble with more than one NCO having to counsel/verbally abuse me to keep me in line. I could not for the life of me understand why these men were so angry all the time. It wasn't until I became an NCO that I realized that the Army had asked for soldiers and what they got was some punk kid from Boston, who thought he knew it all and ran the place (that was me). An NCO's line of work consists of coaching, teaching and mentoring but what we get on top of that is babysitting, picking soldiers up from jail, having to leave your own family to deal with a soldiers issues, among other things. While we are not always happy too do all of these things, we did it because it was our job! It's a hate/love relationship unlike any other. Some of these "mean, nasty" NCO's were some of the greatest men I've known all my life. Some still mentor me to this day. They prepared me for what was to come, which after 20 years, I'm glad they did.

You Drill is there to train you, guide you and overall ensure that you are taken care of during your stay at AIT. There's a lot that goes on behind closed doors that these NCO's handle in your favor that you'll never hear about. They're not there to be your friend or battle buddy or to be cool with you. While some Drills or NCO's may seemed laid back, go ahead and violate one of their military pet peeves and see where that gets ya. You may not agree with me now, but after some self-reflection and soul-searching, it might start to make sense. I suggest that you stay out of trouble, anticipate what would set one of you Drills off (hiding cellphones) and overall keep your nose clean. I noticed that my NCO's were much more friendly when they knew I was doing the right things (uniform sharp, in formation), ready for training and fired up (motivated). I cannot stand a dirt bag NCO and no real NCO would ever stand for that either but from what it sounds like, Your Drills are doing what they're supposed to do. By the way, stop listening to what your "buddies" think. They're in the same boat as you and know just as much. Good luck out there!

Response by SSgt Denis Pelletier made Dec 6 at 2019 10:18 PM

2019-12-06T22:18:46-05:00

Look on the fences and at the gates, entering all military and federal facilities is consent to search. Do what you're expected to do and you have no worries, play stupid games win stupid prizes. If this minor incident is that butt hurting for you maybe the military wasn't the right choice for you.

Response by SSG Mark DeTillion made Dec 7 at 2019 6:47 AM

2019-12-07T06:47:35-05:00

Welcome to the life you little oxygen thief. Do what you are told. Learn to serve and you will learn to lead. Quit stealing oxygen and making yourself a target. Quit giving people a reason to call you out (or call you a butt weasel).

Response by SGT Charles Tittl made Dec 7 at 2019 11:22 AM

2019-12-07T11:22:44-05:00

Looks like a failure to adapt general discharge is in your future...

Response by PO1 Charles Babcock made Dec 7 at 2019 3:30 PM

2019-12-07T15:30:58-05:00

There is an old joke that seems to apply here, If your DS tells you to go jump in a lake, you have every right to complain, but when you DO complain, your sorry ass had better be wet. If you are unwilling to follow orders, the military is NOT for you.

Response by SFC Robert Walton made Dec 8 at 2019 1:43 PM

2019-12-08T13:43:38-05:00

hahahahahahah so I see you have nothing better to do than post stupid unreal stuff on RP. You have two post one as pathetic or even worse than this one. Your busted! Find something else to do besides jerk on every ones chain. Dumb ass.

Response by SSG Michael Love made Dec 8 at 2019 7:22 PM

2019-12-08T19:22:10-05:00

I was what they called a ground pounder 11b10. Blue rope. First we weren't mechinezed , we either ran every where or was bussed then ran. No problem. Jump school didn't have to go, they beged you to quit. Fights at the water troughs . Basic and AIT are the easy part when you get to the advanced schools where you could drop out, some of those were the hard part, I have helped the guy running beside me. We might carry him. Just saying basic is basic, ait is your mos mine was 11b10. rifleman.

Response by SrA David Heineken made Dec 9 at 2019 3:48 PM

2019-12-09T15:48:44-05:00

Things have obviously changed. If I had done this at AIT I would have been to tired to post this due to some quality time in the drill Sargents office! You are a GI and if you didn't learn the UCMJ in Boot you had better get acquainted with it or straighten up and fly right.

Response by PO1 David Shepardson made Dec 9 at 2019 5:35 PM

2019-12-09T17:35:18-05:00

When you enter the military you leave the Constitution at the door nd come under the UCMJ, you got a problem, see the Chaplin, then ask for a transfer. If your problem continue after being transferred, YOUR the cause..

Response by 1SG Brian Adams made Dec 15 at 2019 9:38 PM

2019-12-15T21:38:19-05:00

Yes, DS can search you or anyone for that matter.

Response by SPC Brian Stephens made Dec 16 at 2019 1:14 PM

2019-12-16T13:14:08-05:00

To obey is better than sacrifice. You should have learned that in Basic. What you failed to learn in Basic and AIT will likely follow you through to Permanent Party unless you use RIGHT NOW to straighten up.

I was in AIT when we had a room inspection. Preparing for it, I found one extra sock I had not accounted for and shoved in my personal drawer just minutes before the drill sergeant came in to inspect our room. My locker was fine but then he asked to see my personal drawer. I hesitated and he said to me, "I know it's fucked up. Open it fir me anyway." There he found the extra sock and ordered me to knock out 20. As he left my roommates decided to razz me and lift my feet on their shoulders as I am doing the pushups. Our drill sergeant comes back into the room and asks what is going on here. My roommates tell him they were helping me do pushups but I yell, "Drop 'em all, Drill Sergeant! They are anticipating your command!" Drill Sergeant Payne says, 'What? Oh! You were anticipating my command!' My roommates cry, "No, no, Drill Sergeant! We were taking the initiative by HELPING Pvt. Stephens!" The drill sergeant then dropped my other three roommates for anticipating his command and left our floor. That was funny.

Response by SPC Emmanuel Galloza made Dec 24 at 2019 12:44 PM

2019-12-24T12:44:53-05:00

Ds are like the parents that never wanted you as a child but are obligated to take care of you make sure you are diciplined and well fed and above all else in shape. Stop think before you talk to others watch yourself observe your behaviour keep you nose in the dirt be where you supposed to be when you supposed to be awnser simply with yes ds no ds but will find out or simply no ds focus on completing your training and forget everyone and everything else if you have a calendar mark it one day at a time is on day less you gonna be there. Just get it over and completed the right way remember your worrior ethos

Response by SPC Jesse Staha made Dec 31 at 2019 5:41 AM

2019-12-31T05:41:59-05:00

Yes, they can search you and your property. PVT, you signed a contract with the US Army, for a minimum of 8 years. Basic sucks, AIT can suck, welcome to the suck... learn to love it. Don't listen to barracks lawyers, and if you have a problem, remember that the Army can use anything you post on social media against you, so think about what you say on social media... Including this site. There is a strong likelihood that some of the higher ups in your future units are on this site. You have possibly just outed yourself as a shitbag to every future unit you will ever be in, and now you can't take it back. I hope you pulled your head out of your ass and got back on the right track.

Response by 1SG Alexis Ruiz made Dec 31 at 2019 11:30 AM

2019-12-31T11:30:52-05:00

What are you smoking snowflake. Holly s.... batman, do you really think you are in basic or the fing summer camp. Your in the U.S. Army not the salvation army, you Trd. Short of strip searching you, your belongings are the Army's. Look at your I.D. and read. It says PROPERTY OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, and you face and name are on it.
Give it a minute to sink in. Just wait if you do make it to a unit and leadership starts handing out Article 15. What I'm I saying you sound like the type of hero that already has at least one with one on the way.
Good luck genius, your not going to make it.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2019 5:24 PM

2019-12-31T17:24:25-05:00

I hope this post is sarcasit in nature meant to inba comedicly sadistic way portray the modern entitlement of the millennial and its introduction to the military environment.

Response by COL Victor Hagan made Jan 1 at 2020 11:54 AM

2020-01-01T11:54:53-05:00

If I were you and I believed my 4th Amendment to the US Constitution had been violated then I would go straight to the top. I would immediately request to speak with BG Brad McBride (55th Quartermaster General) on his open door policy.

Make sure that you tell him that I said "Rock of the Marne" and Happy New Year!!! I can guarantee you 100% that he will take can of the situation.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 1 at 2020 3:13 PM

2020-01-01T15:13:57-05:00

Suck it up buttercup, pull your feelings out your rear end and start following the rules. It's really a simple thing to do, but then again most people cant do the small simple things. Sounds to me like you're a blue falcon trying to make it through the cracks. Have some discipline and do the right thing soldier.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 1 at 2020 8:18 PM

2020-01-01T20:18:36-05:00

I couldn’t really concentrate because of your lack of periods. I really suggest that you learn to communicate through the written method before seeking advice through a forum such as this.

Response by PFC Kit Corson made Jan 1 at 2020 9:40 PM

2020-01-01T21:40:55-05:00

WTF is the army coming to these days. If I was your DI I would be on you like green on grass until you shape up or ship out. Your body and soul belong to the military and they can do what they es t with you, you gave your soul to the army when you joined. Loiter the bullet do your assignments and training to become one of the greatest, a bad ass soldier. If you can’t cut it buttercup, do your country a favor and go away to an island somewhere.

Response by PO2 Michael Rickey made Jan 2 at 2020 7:42 AM

2020-01-02T07:42:21-05:00

My oh my what a life lesson

Response by Sgt Adam Jennings made Jan 2 at 2020 9:53 AM

2020-01-02T09:53:13-05:00

You are a special kind of stupid, lol. I'm thinking military service was aistake for you. If you can't handle being punished for being an idiot and doing what you know full well you weren't supposed to to then thank God you didn't go into the Marine Corps. Show some military bearing, suck it up buttercup, and take it like a soldier. Stop whining about to on social media and expecting a pity party.

There, does that answer your question?

You'll be a dishonorable discharge within 12 months easy!

Response by PFC David Cheney made Jan 2 at 2020 12:12 PM

2020-01-02T12:12:48-05:00

Suck it up because you are now nothing more than government property and you have only the ucmj for rights now and contraband is anything your command says it is and anything on government property is subject to search

Response by SGT William Revis made Jan 2 at 2020 6:03 PM

2020-01-02T18:03:50-05:00

Uniform code of military Justice with your questioning. Allows the base commander the issue an order to search for weapons and contraband. This order is on file with every battalion on the base regardless of active-duty or training. Also in basic training there are directives for weapon searches in Contraband searches to be conducted randomly or with the permission of the company Commander. Under the uniform code of military Justice researchers are totally legal especially in common use areas in rooms. I know when Personnel report to the reception station the first thing the Cadre do is inform them there's an amnesty box to turn in all weapons knives anything that's considered contraband and they basically go through a list. You are also advised that when you report to your first basic training company you receive the same briefing. A lot of the violations are handled through non-judicial punishment at company level. is the military police MPI or CID is involved now the punishment moves up to the Battalion Commander or court-martial. in the same Liberties you had as a civilian other than the right to remain silent you surrendered when you took the oath of Enlistment

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Jan 2 at 2020 6:07 PM

2020-01-02T18:07:55-05:00

Quit your sniveling and deal with it. Yes she can search your stuff, permission, this is the military not Law and Order. Making an example of you in front of the female soldiers, I have an issue with. The general rule is Punish in private, and reward in public.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2020 4:36 AM

2020-01-03T04:36:34-05:00

I guarantee they don’t hate you for no reason. Stop being a fucking idiot and be an adult. Boot pog.

Response by PO2 Brian Hoadley made Jan 3 at 2020 2:00 PM

2020-01-03T14:00:48-05:00

My only reaction was to laugh, when I 1st read this a moment ago. Not to bash my army buds but, did they lower the entrance requirements for recruits, for a HS diploma or at the least a GED? I mean, Christ the spelling/grammar was atrocious. I believe the problem here is privilege with which teens today feel entitled but may I'm just old and set in my ways now.

In my humble opinion, the original poster has 3 options.

1. His way = future job at Walmart
2. Right way = article 15 at the least, a possible future (?)
3. Army Way = buck up, gets shit together, learns discipline and team work which leads to successful career. Future Bright.

I can say this from heart, even after you fuck up, you can still change course. Survivor-Gulf War 1, Liberia, Yugoslavia, Somalia, Middle East, Article 15 twice, electrocuted twice, car bomb once (missed mostly) over 12+ yrs of honorable service. I had a colorful career to say the least, but it was fun, mostly.

Response by PO1 Thomas McBride made Jan 4 at 2020 4:13 AM

2020-01-04T04:13:33-05:00

It's pretty simple. Stop being the fuckup. If you can't manage that, stop crying about "unfair" treatment.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2020 7:32 AM

2020-01-04T07:32:33-05:00

Wake up and seer reality without Mommy and Daddy letting you do what You want. This isn't about You anymore.....Get crackers, cheese, and grapes if that's what you prefer, you sound like a quitter so quit......OR, use this to start your growing up process. You aren't in Kansas with Toto anymore, hmmm, or maybe you are.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2020 4:48 PM

2020-01-04T16:48:24-05:00

Why is this even on here? Your drill sergeant hasn't done anything illegal, immoral, or unethical. So you need to embrace the suck or get out this might not be the right career path for you.

Response by PV2 Ronald Brown made Jan 4 at 2020 10:48 PM

2020-01-04T22:48:07-05:00

Yes she can search everything you are the property of the Government, they own you and you are being trained for combat/war you are expected to obey all rules and regs period as for team mates / Barracks lawyers there full of crap stop listening to them.

Response by SGT Chester Sprankle made Jan 5 at 2020 10:45 AM

2020-01-05T10:45:54-05:00

I concur with what everyone is saying. The rules are there for a reason and 8 weeks will fly by. Although I do not like how Drill Sergeants act luke they are the second coming of the Lord but they are there for a reason. Boot camp and AIT are a major head game. Nothing says you have to be the best soldier but you do need to listen and adhere to the rules:

Response by SPC Chris Ison made Jan 5 at 2020 5:09 PM

2020-01-05T17:09:11-05:00

There is always two sides to every story.
However this does sound like harassment, because you said she brought in other people to your room and basically called you dirty, after making a mess. However, can you PROVE THAT? Will the "girls" come to your defense?

No reason NOT to bring it up to your first sergeant, it is your right to address grievances through the chain of command.

But, if you turn out to be wrong, your going to end up making your life harder than it needs to be.

So you have to ask yourself, "Am I being too sensitive, or is the is DI really out to get me?"

Also you need to think about the fact that she KNEW you had two phones, WHO TOLD HER THAT?

Sounds like to me the real issue is your peers.

Response by CW4 William Kessinger made Jan 5 at 2020 5:44 PM

2020-01-05T17:44:09-05:00

Sounds like you have no place in the military. Suck it up and conform. Your not in high school
any more. Your on military property and your command structure does not need your permission to search if they suspect you are not in compliance with the base/company's good military order.
By the way your grammar is atrocious.

Response by M Nob made Jan 5 at 2020 11:32 PM

2020-01-05T23:32:09-05:00

Yep. Suck it up buttercup!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 6 at 2020 2:53 AM

2020-01-06T02:53:23-05:00

I'm not very politically correct so I'm going to be blunt here.
What I read was that of someone who hasn't adjusted to the Military. You broke the rules more than once and your DS is calling you out for it. Your in Basic/AIT this isn't time for you to get all boo boo poor me when your DS calls you out. This kinda attitude you have is why many people get out cause you clearly have thin skin and can't take a legitimate punishment. To be honest your DS is going easy on you. If that was my Basic training we would have been low crawling through mud and told to crawl through the Barracks after and then clean them or something similar. What you need to do is sit down and reevaluate your life and your decision to join the Military. We dont need weak minded people who cant take a punishment

Response by SSG Omar Ruiz-Canales made Jan 6 at 2020 11:39 AM

2020-01-06T11:39:03-05:00

Well.. you stated that you did wrong and were a repeat offender.. that for the least bit is honorable.. there may still be a chance for you. With that being said, you were busted for doing said wrong and thereby you feel you were targeted by the DS.. that is true to a degree. It is the DS responsibility that you commit no more infractions as you had proven yourself untrustworthy, why should the DS inspect any other Soldier whom has been following the rules and staying out of trouble. The laws of privacy are limited in basic training, you have the right to go to the bathroom and change in private, the right not to uave anything morally wrong done against you, and the right to bring it up to your chain of command.. that's about as much right as you have in Basic.. don't let these barracks lawyers get you hemmed up.

Response by MSG Lonnie Averkamp made Jan 6 at 2020 6:49 PM

2020-01-06T18:49:15-05:00

In 1970, when the Fort Benning Ranger Committee got ahold of me, they had me dump my ruck sack and searched through it, my sleeping bag, and web gear. I didn't realize that my "Rights" were being violated. Who should I have griped to: the Senior Ranger Cadre?

Response by Sgt Gary McCutchen made Jan 7 at 2020 1:14 PM

2020-01-07T13:14:32-05:00

After reading your post, my advice would be to keep your head low and be thankful that you're not flipping burgers.

Response by PO2 Ed Taylor made Jan 8 at 2020 12:26 AM

2020-01-08T00:26:21-05:00

Normally a DS will not search an individual without cause. All DS hate everybody for the first few weeks. they have to prove to you that they are in charge and it up to you to accept their authority, ergo the U>S> Servicemens Code Of Conduct and your Oath. A short story. Once I was a Training NCO for a National Guard Battalion.I overheard two soldiers bragging to each other of the live rounds they were taking to the field during manuvers and night training. All this training was to be blank fire only. I made a special notification to the First SGT and the live rounds were collected and whatever happened to the two boys I never found out. I guess my point is this it is up to the DS to make you a team player. I also did two years with four trips to Viet Nam and when the rubber hits the road you have to have confidence in all the other GI'S anf they have to also trust you. By the way once you sign on the dotted line you have become a GI (

Response by PO2 Ed Taylor made Jan 8 at 2020 12:31 AM

2020-01-08T00:31:05-05:00

GI (GENERAL ISSUE)

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2020 9:43 AM

2020-01-08T09:43:31-05:00

You don't have the rights of a civilian so the way in which police operate doesn't apply to you and neither does local laws in the barracks. My best and simple advice is to simply follow the rules and regulations. Leaders don't trash clean rooms theres too many dirty ones they can focus on. Stay outta trouble!!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2020 12:36 PM

2020-01-08T12:36:28-05:00

Reading this tidbit makes me wonder how you got past Basic Training

Response by Cpl Thomas Woods made Jan 8 at 2020 12:59 PM

2020-01-08T12:59:40-05:00

"She doesn't like me"? Give that shit a rest...Maybe if you unfuck yourself, the problems of your own making will disappear; They usually do. Or are you one of those people who just doesn't learn from your mistakes? Maybe you ought to work for the USPS...

Response by SPC Stewart Smith made Jan 8 at 2020 5:38 PM

2020-01-08T17:38:29-05:00

Posted nearly a year ago and this just pops up in my feed.
I went and made some popcorn for the comments section. I wasn't disappointed.
I'm curious where this PVT Jason Mchuntly is today....

Response by MAJ Jim Woods made Jan 8 at 2020 11:48 PM

2020-01-08T23:48:59-05:00

When I went through Basic & AIT (66') the DI's could do anything they wanted and we were afraid to challenge them... Can't speak to the Modern Army.

Response by PO1 Orlando Miller made Jan 9 at 2020 8:49 AM

2020-01-09T08:49:36-05:00

OMG. Man up soldier and follow instructions. You were wrong for not turning in your phone. Stop whining to us ole timers and do what you're told. AIT will be over soon enough.....

Response by PFC Matt Ochmanski made Jan 9 at 2020 5:59 PM

2020-01-09T17:59:03-05:00

As a Retired MP, your DS has every right to search all your items! If the DS feels that you have something that you shouldn’t they will ask you to open it, if you don’t get ready! Plus if you’re DS feels that you have something dangerous the MP’s will open it for your DS! To me you have made yourself a huge target for whatever you did repeatedly! I think that you might want to look for something else to do with your life; cause you’re going to get someone killed!

Response by Sgt John Constantine made Jan 9 at 2020 6:44 PM

2020-01-09T18:44:25-05:00

Military law supersedes civilian law period!

Response by SGT Kenneth Partyka made Jan 9 at 2020 6:57 PM

2020-01-09T18:57:37-05:00

Consider yourself lucky. My AIT was 56 weeks long. Thats not a typo. FIFTY-SIX weeks. I think you can handle eight. Just stop f*cking up and listen to the DS. She is there to teach you, you offer her nothing to learn.

Response by Cpl Rigo Hernandez made Jan 9 at 2020 9:12 PM

2020-01-09T21:12:03-05:00

You should get out of Army and into something that doesn't require discipline, Army needs no one like you.

Response by SFC Nelson Martin made Jan 16 at 2020 3:07 PM

2020-01-16T15:07:03-05:00

Hey, I'm an old Drill. Let me tell you something. Your DS knows the rules and regulations much better than you do. Don't challenge her. Just do what you're suppose to do and you'll be fine. Don't do what you're suppose to do and you'll lose. Keep your mouth shut. It keeps others from seeing how stupid you are. Put the effort in and the Drill will see it. It's all about attitude. Plus, go to your First Sergeant and he see the snowflake your parents raised. It's like going to mommy. Be strong. Be an individual. The service is making something out of you. Take advantage of it.

Response by SSG Sidney Galloway made Jan 21 at 2020 5:49 PM

2020-01-21T17:49:14-05:00

Short and easy answer her, future Soldier: She is an NCO, so yes. The rest of the answer: She's your Drill Sergeant. She went through more hell than YOU can handle to be in her trusted position. Her seniors, from the Senior DS to the commander, to the POTUS has entrusted their authority to her. You're a trainee, and trainees must EARN that trust, as did she.

Response by SFC James Welch made Jan 26 at 2020 1:13 PM

2020-01-26T13:13:56-05:00

Oh, those pesky Rules and Regulations. You obviously feel you have the right to pick and choose which ones you obey and ones you don’t. If you don’t understand by now why they exist, I expect you will have a short career. You are being judged constantly by everyone around you as well as the Cadre training has you. Do you apply yourself a hundred percent or are you a half stepper. Can you be relied upon in Combat or is your ability and judgment in question? No one wants to fight beside anyone they can’t depend on 100%. If you fudge on the little things, you will also do it on the big ones. You need to step back and take a long look at who you are and why you’re there.

Response by CW4 Steven Bowyer made Jan 28 at 2020 3:29 PM

2020-01-28T15:29:46-05:00

You joined the Army. Your Drill Sergeant has every right to trash your locker, your room and your personal space. You are a soldier. You are supposed to follow orders. If you don't, there will have a price to pay. A word of advice, start trying to "Be All You Can Be." Be a model soldier. You will find that leads to the easiest path for you. There is no flying under the radar unless you are an under-achiever that can stay out of trouble. If you do the best that you can always, then your next few years will be easy. If you don't want to cooperate and follow instructions, then your next few years will be hard and un-rewarding. The choice is yours. You made a choice to join the Army and serve your country. That was honorable. Now, you should decide to conduct yourself honorably in your service.

Response by SGT Jody Beach made Jan 31 at 2020 1:11 PM

2020-01-31T13:11:53-05:00

Exactly what SFC Jason Boyd said ....

Response by Wendy Woodard made Feb 1 at 2020 9:34 AM

2020-02-01T09:34:25-05:00

I just read your post to my LTC(Ret) former Battallion Commander husband. His advice is this...Do everything the 1Sgt tells you. Do not challenge them. They are a 1Sgt. for a reason. And even crusty old LTC commanders listen to their 1Sgt. That being said, be safe and remember Army life is only as hard as you make it. You will develop friendships that will last your entire life.

Response by SSG Dennis O'Connor made Feb 1 at 2020 9:54 AM

2020-02-01T09:54:29-05:00

So if I'm reading your post correctly you fit the criteria for a pattern of misconduct. If you turned to RP for sympathy you've come to the wrong place. It would also appear as though you're listening to one too many barracks lawyers. Sure you could approach the 1SG with your complaints but I'd imagine it would fall on dead ears. You've already proven you can't abide by rules and regulations

Response by Sgt Crusty Buck made Feb 1 at 2020 10:14 PM

2020-02-01T22:14:14-05:00

All sarcasm aside. You signed that line. Stop being a twat stop breaking rules and live up to the standard. Otherwise, ask for an amnesty period in which way you can’t not conform or adapt to military life and go home. Normally I look for a way to be positive but it’s your way of seeing things and looking for a way out that’ll get someone else in trouble hurt or killed. Man or woman up, understand that I’m the service you don’t have freedoms of a civilian anymore you signed those away and that this is a tight knit well oiled machine larger than yourself. You are but a small part and if you can’t get over yourself don’t be the weak link that drags the rest of your brethren down. Most on here fought tooth and nail to make it through. I fought medical retirement and surgeries. Seeing this belly aching and weak character boils my blood because you got an opportunity I was willing to forgo my later years to keep and your kissing ahd moaning over 8 weeks of learning respect discipline customs and courtesies and mind games to which you have already broken and lost. They’re meant to dig and pry and push, those who give in get out. Maybe not now a days but be thankful your in good health to do something with yourself. Otherwise get lost and give up the slot to someone who actually deserves it and won’t waste it.

Side note. There’s no probable cause. You get searched you get searched. Happens to actual operational junior enlisted, NCO corps senior enlisted. Morale and wellness are the forefront of unit cohesion. Translation, is your owner by your branch now. Don’t leave any room for suspicion and own your mistakes and you won’t put up with much. Fight complain and show weakness and you’ll be breakfast lunch and dinner. Don’t give people ammo to fu** with you and they won’t.

Response by Sgt Darrell Robinson made Feb 2 at 2020 4:32 AM

2020-02-02T04:32:57-05:00

Your Drill instructor can search your room, and yourself, if he or she either believes or has been told by someone else in your squad,(ie Barracks/Dorm that you have contraband in your possession that could cause harm to any personal, but she or he should have a MP/SP with her while the search is being conducted, don't know about the phone issue, that's something we weren't confronted with back in the 70's when I went through basic and AIT.

Response by SSG Lon Watson made Feb 2 at 2020 8:17 AM

2020-02-02T08:17:21-05:00

You think your DS doesn’t have permission to single you out for a search after you’ve broken rules? Oh bless your little millennial heart!

Response by SPC Mariyuh Haney made Feb 2 at 2020 8:26 AM

2020-02-02T08:26:48-05:00

The army doesn't pay you to have feelings so suck it up do your job. On another note your barracks lawyers know shit about UCMJ or army policies so go ahead and run to your 1SG while your there go ahead and give him your wallet as you will soon not have need for it.

Response by SPC Thomas Mapplebeck made Feb 2 at 2020 4:14 PM

2020-02-02T16:14:23-05:00

Heed the advice the SFC is giving you. If your in AIT and haven't fallen into the Army way of discipline than you should repeat basic. As many of the other comments state below, your in the military, not some liberal college where they complain that someone "looked at me wrong" boo hoo waa! Your expected to act like an adult. Your treated like every other soldier. You are not privileged, you were not "singled out" during your inspection. The job of the DS is to make a soldier out of you. Bringing in the females to berate you in front of your peers... maybe not the best move. Maybe the humility will keep you from re offending? Hopefully you learn from your mistakes. Maybe, you should knock on your DS office door and request to speak and express your desire to be a better soldier and apologize for not being forthcoming with your second phone. You may still not have phone privileges but will show a bit of maturity on your part. Someday if your in the military long enough you will be expected to lead others. ALL WAYS DRESS AND ACT ACCORDING TO THE JOB YOU ASPIRE TO. If your a private and aspire to be a Sargent, act like a Sargent. Take charge when things need to get done. Don't hide behind your buddy not to be picked. It is ok to stand out in a positive way. Best of luck and thank you for your service.

Response by Capt Ed Heick made Feb 3 at 2020 2:44 AM

2020-02-03T02:44:46-05:00

Something you should realize about the military system. You have enlisted in a system that YOU ARE REQUIRED to change your whole life based on the way WE OPERATE, not us change for you, and unfortunately even though you consider that the DI might be out of line, the system YOU entered is set up for a specific reason. That reason is to teach you to take and OBEY directions without hesitation, not lie, cheat or steal, hide other phones etc. and survive in combat, which is the reason you signed up in the ARMED SERVICES.
You can complain all you want, but a recommendation is quit being a whiner, get with the program and stop trying to be an individual, this is not what we do. One day when you grow up in the future and are in a position of responsibility you will understand what it means to take and give orders that are to be obeyed. This is not the civilian world you left. This is the real world.

Response by SSG Ricky Winright (Retired) made Feb 3 at 2020 9:42 AM

2020-02-03T09:42:55-05:00

First of all, you need to learn how to write properly. Your entire post was nothing but run-on sentences and mis-spelled words. I think your post is about how you feel that your DS is wrong and you are right. Go ahead and listen to your friends and see the First Sergeant. You can expect that the 1SG will have the Drill Sergeant's back (hopefully). I just retired with 32 years of service. In my last years I have noticed how you "new" recruits are weak and sensitive. You feel entitled and resist authority. The Army has regulations and discipline for people like you! If you think you are being treated bad, DON'T get caught doing the wrong things and expect good will come of it. If you don't like being told what to do then get out! You volunteered, nobody forced you. You can get out anytime.

Response by CPL Robert Jones made Feb 3 at 2020 10:53 AM

2020-02-03T10:53:35-05:00

If you’re wrong-YOU ARE WRONG!! It sounds like there might be a problem with authority on your part! It is without a doubt that it is there world NOT YOURS!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2020 5:35 PM

2020-02-03T17:35:51-05:00

Only your commander can order a search based on probable cause. A health and wellness inspection can be done without probable cause but cannot be targeted. I would say get some information from non-social media sources before trying to take any action outside of discussing the issue with your chain of command.

Response by LCpl Michael Cappello made Feb 3 at 2020 7:13 PM

2020-02-03T19:13:28-05:00

Get your friggin ducks in a row and walk the straight and narrow. If you can't do that or do not want to do that, GET THE F^&K OUT !!! If you cannot be trusted with the most simple and basic responsibilities, then you are NOT to be trusted with other peoples lives. You are part of a team. You are proving to be the weak link in the chain. If it were the Corps, you would have already had a party. Now you come here and whine. Asking for a way out, rather than working harder and cleaning up your OWN mess. Remember this term. Non Judicial Punishment. I have a feeling you will become very familiar with it before being discharged.

Response by SPC Dennis Kregel made Feb 3 at 2020 7:16 PM

2020-02-03T19:16:39-05:00

Are you serious PVT? You are in the Army son, not back on the block. You are your Drill Sgt's responsibility. It is their sole responsibility to turn you from the civilian that you were into the soldier that you need to be. Your Drill Sgt has the right to search through everything you own at any time they see fit, period. As you continue your service, if you are lucky enough to be allowed to, you will learn that many things in the Army are not fair. Remember back in the recruiter's office when you signed on the dotted line and then you swore your oath. Well, suck it up buttercup, because if you go through the rest of your time in the Army and the worst thing that happens to you is your Drill Sgt trashed your room once and called you out you will be very fortunate indeed.

Response by CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2020 8:58 PM

2020-02-03T20:58:39-05:00

Maybe she’s trying to fix you...tough love. I’d say I’d be more worried about that DS if they were being lazy and doing nothing. If you really hate her, do the right thing and when she tosses your lover and comes up empty handed you won’t have given her the satisfaction.

Response by SPC Clifford Poris made Feb 4 at 2020 8:01 AM

2020-02-04T08:01:30-05:00

I am an old grunt. I was drafted and entered the Army in Jan.1968. I knew where I would eventually end up. I was a fat kid. I was a target for my Drill Sgt to whip into shape. I learned very quickly that I needed to keep my mouth shut and ears open. My point here is that eventually, my MOS was 11B. As a grunt in combat, I found my brothers. We have been family for over 50 years. You volunteered to serve, you made a choice, you need to shape up forget the things that make you a"target" and become PROUD SOLDIER

Response by SSgt James Carter made Feb 5 at 2020 4:37 PM

2020-02-05T16:37:54-05:00

You'll get all sorts of advice from your barracks mates - who have no skin in the game - so ignore 99% of it and forget the rest. Life is tough if you can't follow rules; make your life easier and learn to follow instructions to the T, you'll do just fine.

Oh, and please learn how to punctuate and capitalize. It will make reading your whining much easier on the rest of us.

Response by SP5 Ed Lee made Feb 5 at 2020 9:36 PM

2020-02-05T21:36:39-05:00

It has been a few years, but from my experience and recollection....if you are in a position where you are subject to a Drill Sargent, then the smart and best thing is to STFU and do exactly as you are told; you might just learn something. Break ZERO rules, call only attention to yourself for your stractness. Listen more don't talk and do your training well. Later on it might make sense...the discipline lessons do make sense, but if it never does just tell your stories fondly. Quit setting yourself up to get nailed; it is the DSs' job to do just that, and as you have learned...they will. I loved the comment about the friendly first Sargent...lol. BTW you have no permission to give when you are in a DS"s world. That world, everything in it INCLUDING YOU belongs to them. Especially in AIT this is mission critical.

Response by Sgt Allen Cooper made Feb 6 at 2020 1:20 AM

2020-02-06T01:20:31-05:00

Soldier, you are property of the US Government. You signed up for it and consent was waived. Therefore stop trying to be slick because the DI's are equipped with cell phone sniffers in which emits a signal even though it's turned off. You go to the 1st shirt and you are going to really have problems. Fake it to make it for the next 8 weeks and stay out of the DI's doghouse!!

Response by CPL Cory Penneau made Feb 6 at 2020 8:11 AM

2020-02-06T08:11:22-05:00

Please, just ask for a chapter. You will do your unit, battle buddies, and the ARMY a favor. You seem to be one of those people that feels the rules and regulations don't apply to. In my day the entire Brigade would have gone thru living hell for what you have done.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2020 12:16 PM

2020-02-06T12:16:59-05:00

Go to CIF and see if you can draw some punctuation.

Response by SGT Thomas Labine made Feb 6 at 2020 12:31 PM

2020-02-06T12:31:07-05:00

GROW UP!!!! When I went thru basic they use to hit us.....

Response by CSM David Heidke made Feb 6 at 2020 3:27 PM

2020-02-06T15:27:56-05:00

This cannot possibly be real...

Response by COL Brian Shea made Feb 7 at 2020 12:08 AM

2020-02-07T00:08:35-05:00

I could explain the legality of health and welfare inspections, but to answer your question you should just deal with it. And maybe work on following orders. I am sure your 1SG has an open door policy, but if your DS hasn’t informed them about your issues and was trying to resolve them at a lower level you may create more problems than you solve.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2020 3:05 AM

2020-02-07T03:05:51-05:00

Normally admitting you were wrong and informing that you will be better, vice making excuses saves you a lot of trouble.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2020 8:37 AM

2020-02-07T08:37:05-05:00

Dude I left AIT not that long ago. You were caught slipping up and don’t want to take responsibility b. You had your phone hidden for example. You were clearly doing the wrong thing

Response by SrA George Gomez made Feb 7 at 2020 2:47 PM

2020-02-07T14:47:28-05:00

Permission ? You lost the right to give permission when you signed on the dotted line to enlist in the military. You yourself admitted you have been caught in the past breaking the rules and that brought you to their attention. Now you have to live with the attention until someone else screws up worse than you.

Response by SN Paul Pitt made Feb 8 at 2020 4:08 PM

2020-02-08T16:08:45-05:00

Response by PO1 Corrinna Jennings made Feb 9 at 2020 7:24 AM

2020-02-09T07:24:01-05:00

Drill Sargent can search you whenever they want just like the base security can stop any vehicle and search it bags, and body. Lockers, rooms, cars and a pat-down of your body. You consented to it when you joined and wanting access to a base. If you have a problem little girl, get out. Corrinna Jennings, USN RET.

Response by CPL Bryan Fusilier made Feb 10 at 2020 10:22 AM

2020-02-10T10:22:55-05:00

"They took our phones" . Wow.

By the way anything and everything on federal property is subject to search. By entering said property you thereby grant consent to search..

Long story short, suck it up and drive on.

Former Military Police

Response by SPC Fred DeJohn made Feb 11 at 2020 4:46 PM

2020-02-11T16:46:33-05:00

despite what everyone is telling you regardless of their rank. There is something called UCMJ suggest that you speak with your 1stSG take this up the chain of command maybe to the point of getting JAG involved. Sounds like you both were wrong, but however that DI needs to show alot more Professionalism or be removed from her position.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2020 11:22 PM

2020-02-11T23:22:56-05:00

You live and you learn. I was raised by a family of quite a few veterans that served when your DI or DS could rip your head off and shit down your neck on the spot the moment you retaliate. I'm a new soldier myself working toward 2 years. AIT is a field full of daisies compared to what it used to be. Now you are presented with so many privileges and trust it's unreal. There's also that one private like yourself that screws it up for everyone and makes it much too good to be true. Realize that you are given "privileges" you must prove you have earned. They are by no means rights. The drill sergeant did no wrong. If a drill sergeant finds something unsecure and is able to toss it and the contents, then they didn't technically go through anything. It's not like they told you to take your lock off and went through your stuff. Either way they can still do that during a wellness check. Find pride in your MOS school and the corp you are under, and maybe you will find motivation to respect your drill sergeants and they may possibly return it. I am a 91B and at Fort Lee Virginia, we take pride in the Ordnance Corp and it emphasizes us to embrace the basic cores of being a soldier. Take pride in your MOS, the Army, and reassess yourself. If you keep that up, you will not make it at your real unit I assure you. I wish you the best. Patch up the wound and carry on. All you can do. Don't make things worse than they have to be, trust me.

Response by SPC Jared Robbins made Feb 13 at 2020 4:05 PM

2020-02-13T16:05:44-05:00

Because of the atrocious grammar, I am not certain if this is a statement, or a question.

Jk.

First... how do you proceed to do the wrong thing and then excuse it for the reason “I wasn’t used to the freedom.”?
That alone makes you the essence of being an E1.

Second... “I had an old phone I was going to turn it in.” If you failed to hand in both phones when you were instructed to hand in cellular communication devices, again, that’s making a conscious effort to do the wrong thing.

Third... you began that atrocious run-on sentence with Sentinel basically stated that you were doing the wrong thing, you can’t just “get off on the wrong foot“ with a drill sergeant, if you were doing the wrong thing, you were doing the wrong thing. That’s on you.

I don’t know where you got the idea that a drill sergeant has to have probable cause in order to open your locker or do any type of searching, if that’s wrong. They are responsible for the barracks, which means they are responsible for your room.

If you want to continue to paint a target on your back, sure, go to 1SG and tell them about how you feel singled out because you got caught doing the wrong thing.

Or, you could simply stop doing the wrong thing, on up to the fact that you messed up, and then start doing the right thing. It’s literally that easy. Stop blaming other people for your own screwups.

Response by SGT Thomas Mogren made Feb 13 at 2020 8:25 PM

2020-02-13T20:25:00-05:00

WOW, the army sure has changed. when I was in basic you didn't dare question or threaten a drill sergeant. If they want to inspect anything, you let them and thank them when their done.
So all I can say is, Suck it up butter cup.

Response by SGM Otis Whitaker made Feb 24 at 2020 11:23 PM

2020-02-24T23:23:26-05:00

Well I am a retired SGM, did my time as a first sergeant and platoon sergeant, and in my 24 year career I have known that a drill sergeant or any other sergeant needed a soldier's permission to search his/her room or anything in that room as long as you reside in the barracks or dorms. You should have known you lose all kinds of freedom and privacy in the military. If I were your 1st Sgt and you brought this story to me, I would bust my sides laughing after I threw you out of my office. Something tells me you are not military material.

Response by SGM Otis Whitaker made Feb 24 at 2020 11:24 PM

2020-02-24T23:24:48-05:00

Meant to say "never known"

Response by CAPT Hiram Patterson made Mar 3 at 2020 11:42 AM

2020-03-03T11:42:58-05:00

You can never have a "do over" of a bad first impression!

Response by CA Christopher Reidt made Mar 3 at 2020 1:50 PM

2020-03-03T13:50:21-05:00

I know I'm late to this party but I couldn't even get through your complaint since your grammar, punctuation (absolute lack of) and whining made me anxious very afraid of who is coming through our military these days to defend my family and me. Stop breaking the rules and for God's sake, read a freaking book and learn where to use punctuation. At least try and use a period or comma, even if it's random. Jeez!

Response by PFC Russell W made Mar 3 at 2020 4:46 PM

2020-03-03T16:46:51-05:00

Do you honestly think your level of importance is so high that she focuses on YOU. YOU sir are a number, a name on paperwork and not even a "soldier" yet.
You can't even follow simple instructions and ain't as important as YOU think you are. Did you need to call your mommy and say how mean everyone is? Boo hoo

Response by SGT Louie Santana made Mar 3 at 2020 9:22 PM

2020-03-03T21:22:50-05:00

Yes they can. Even as lenient as the Army has gotten they’re still responsible for everyone under them. They have always tossed lockers it’s nothing new.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2020 7:54 AM

2020-03-04T07:54:05-05:00

My comment is not a direct answer to the question, but the OP represents what is wrong with the military today. These people inhabit our ranks and are relatively incapable of being valuable to the organization. It is sad and unfortunate that the caliber of people able to enlist has degraded to such a pathetic extreme.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2020 1:34 PM

2020-03-04T13:34:16-05:00

Call the police and say you've been vandalized and robbed. Threatened too.

Response by SSG Kenneth Davenport made Mar 4 at 2020 10:41 PM

2020-03-04T22:41:01-05:00

AWWW BOO HOO!!! Welcome to the military!

Response by SGT Guy Combs made Mar 4 at 2020 11:59 PM

2020-03-04T23:59:58-05:00

Holy Crap, what has the army come to? I don’t even want to explain my story because I don’t want to wast my time here. Here’s a quick breakdown: your soft, and sensitive and I advise just turn in your stuff now and quit (medical or something like that). This sounds like high school drama instead of the army. Do what your told, do it fast, don’t speak unless spoken to. Max your PT test, do great in all that you do. Should I have to tell you this? Common sense goes a long way in this situation..

1st Ranger Bn B Co. 91’-96’
3-93

Response by SFC Lyle Green made Mar 5 at 2020 11:39 AM

2020-03-05T11:39:40-05:00

A good friend and a highly respected x-S.E.A.L. who was once an instructor at B.U.D.S. before he retired, told me something that since that time, I have found, has never been a more accurate fact. It has stuck solid in my mind, then every time I hear, read or been told of a man (especially a supposed member of the military) with actions or attitudes such as this young person, it makes me feel embarrassed and ...sad. My friend repeatedly told me “The most important and critical characteristics for a man to be accepted into the SEALS training program has nothing to do with their appearances or physical capabilities, those can be taught and / or conditioned, nor is it the so call charisma of the personality, the absolute must for these men to be accepted is their mindset, determination, discipline, adaptation, trust / trusted, loyalty to others before self, respect and tolerance to all who deserve, confidence in heart, last but not least the man must be able to love his fellow man and accept their beings, responsibilities warts and all”. At that time 67, 68, the SEAL’S acceptance ratio to applicants was 1: 102. +-. “The mindset is to physical as 4 is to 1” Napoleon.

Response by Sgt Abraham Marcos made Mar 5 at 2020 12:04 PM

2020-03-05T12:04:16-05:00

Why the hell would a Drill Sergeant need permission from you for anything?!

In the Marines, we expect to be fucked with on good days. Boo hoo to you! Call your mommy and tell her to send a nasty e-mail to her congressman about how badly your Drill Sergeant is treating you. Fucking Snowflake!

Fucking quit. Get out. Let the people who have the gear to serve in the Army do so.

Response by SPC Troy Shelby made Mar 6 at 2020 12:03 AM

2020-03-06T00:03:23-05:00

Hey cupcake suck it up. You are the property of Uncle Sam. The only rights you have are the ones the military allows u to have, frankly your lucky as hell I'm not ur drill Sgt if when I was a DS if I had had a crybaby like you I would exercise (smoke) you till I got tired than made damn sure you didn't stay in my Army you POS people like you should never wear the uniform it is an honor and a privilege to wear that uniform and to serve this nation and frankly from ur comment ur a freekin disgrace Do you and every good soldier a favor Quit now and go home before you get good men and women killed cause I damn sure wouldn't want you in my fox hole!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2020 12:46 PM

2020-03-06T12:46:11-05:00

Okay. First, as was pointed out, you're going to be doing a lot of writing when you get to your duty station and it needs to be professional. If you need assistance in writing, please get online and search for examples, or wait till you get to your permanent duty station and seek assistance there. Now, on to the problem at hand. I am not here to hurt you in any way, but I am here to tell you that you DEFINATELY are not off to a good start. If this DS has you in her sights, it's time for you to grow up, have a "come to Jesus" moment and ask yourself why. I can guarantee you she just didn't decide to make you the "object of her affection" as soon as you got off the bus. One of the best pieces of advice that I can give you early in your career is a simple one. That is to take ownership in all that you do...right or wrong (especially wrong). By doing so, that shows the NCO's and Officers that are in charge of you that you are in fact an adult, and that you understand that you are going to make mistakes and are ready to learn from them. Another piece of advice is equally simple. If more Junior Enlisted Soldiers would practice this simple lesson, there would be a lot less money going to the Old Soldiers home. That lesson is "if it feels wrong...it is wrong, and if what you are going to do feels stupid....it is stupid". Now, that's the best advice I have. Don't listen to barracks lawyers, simply because they're usually uninformed idiots. Oh and as for this searching situation? More advice....just let it go. It's a no win situation for you. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and start becoming the Soldier that I know you can be. Good luck in your future!

Response by CPT Keith Messinger made Mar 6 at 2020 3:08 PM

2020-03-06T15:08:38-05:00

If you can't deal with this, the rest of your enlistment will be difficult.

Response by CPO John Moore made Mar 6 at 2020 7:57 PM

2020-03-06T19:57:21-05:00

If you broke the rules then the DI should be all over you in a heartbeat that is they Job they get paid to do turn a civilian into an outstandning person (sometimes they don't have much to work with)t. You clowns have to realize that they are no longer in the civilian world; that they were in before they signed their names on that paper. (the military is a minority culture within a major society; This I was taught in college). The Military has its own law rules and regulations which are not found in the civilian world at all (It is called the UCMJ and you might should read it a few times as this will save you a lot of trouble down the road. (sweet pea that is what you are under in boot and the whole time you are in the military). if the DI was following the UCMJ what he/she did was legal. ( A lot of the stuff they do to you in boot camp it to get the civilian way of thinking out of your hear and get you to think like a military man. you got to remember the military is not a church picnic ant the sooner you learn that the better off you will be.
Sweet pea; if you can]'t cut in boot camp you will be let out of the military as they don't want some who can't follow orders and might get some killed by their stupid actions. I have seen this happen in marine boot camp, no so much in navy boot camp (two different worlds when you complete basic, so suck it up and be a good trooper and get the hell out of the military so they can find someone who will do the job the right way.

Response by SPC John Kato made Mar 7 at 2020 4:42 AM

2020-03-07T04:42:00-05:00

Inasmuch as I am responding to a question 11 months old, this is for the next trainee who is in this situation. To make my comment simple, the best way to get through basic/osut is to "get into it ". Taking basic/osut seriously, trying your best, and constantly staying focused on the tasks on hand will get anyone through basic/osut in flying colors. That's what I did.

Four years later, I left the active army with great memories and an honorable discharge.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2020 9:24 AM

2020-03-07T09:24:04-05:00

For the love of God, if this isn’t the epitome of a millennial snow flake comment, I don’t know what is. YOU volunteered to join the ARMY, what did you think it was going to be like? Wow... at least there’s some good drills left, though.

Response by SGT Mark Hasch made Mar 7 at 2020 10:25 AM

2020-03-07T10:25:46-05:00

Now this is some funny stuff here!!! , I'll get to the chase(understand I haven't been in basic training for a while!!!) "YES" I/you/everyone in the Drill Sargent's and training facility are responsible for your safety!!! Having said that, I will add that you have a hard time following orders as per your "STATEMENT" you kept an old phone because "EVERYONE" said to keep it!!!!!!! You are to do as your told by the one in charge!!!
I believe that the Drill Sargents get a bad rap for the job they do, for instance, say everyone is supposed to turn in any weapons they have in their possession when they first arrive and you have an indavidual who keeps their pocket knife and later that indavidual gets mad and slashes several people for what ever reason!!! or an individual eeks through training because they have a problem following orders and are promoted by their leaders because they squeak time much or they're drinking buddies/golf buds, they get promoted for those reasons!!! "BUT" the one who shows leadership with all of the awards they get is passed over just to shut the mouth of a friend of theirs or (as I've heard for my entire career) they just get oiled to stop the squeaking, aka, shut them up!!!
I'm sorry, this is a touchy area for me, I'm not/ever was a Drill Sargent but I am an observer to this day and I've observed a lot of BS, Rocksteady young soldier, get your rank and change things but for now try harder to just "DO WHAT YOU'RE TOLD!!!"

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2020 3:33 PM

2020-03-07T15:33:16-05:00

She doesn't need permission to search your things and they don't do it for no reason. There is always a reason

Response by CWO4 Brook Kelsey made Mar 8 at 2020 5:21 AM

2020-03-08T05:21:42-04:00

Maybe, just maybe, based on what you posted, you don’t understand basic rules, laws and regulations (Also basic grammar. USE PUNCTUATION FOR GOD’s SAKE). You’re definitely in the wrong. Seek out your DS’s advice on how to get back on track.

Response by SSgt Rick Zambrana made Mar 8 at 2020 2:42 PM

2020-03-08T14:42:25-04:00

The military prepares you for real life worst case scenarios, this is what you've signed up for. Like the 1st Sgt and the SFC mentioned, and as a Ssgt, this is not for everyone, you have broken rules that in real life situations this might jeopardize the lives of your battle buddies. Stay on track and stop posting information that may affect military's principles. I suggest you start on your paperwork and get your freedom back, because it seems you are not a good fit for the job.

Response by MAJ Jeffrey Johnson made Mar 8 at 2020 8:54 PM

2020-03-08T20:54:46-04:00

They can search all they want but can't prosecute unless a commander issued a prior search authorization.

Response by PO3 Michael MacKay made Mar 8 at 2020 9:16 PM

2020-03-08T21:16:55-04:00

PVT Jason, don't get offended, it's not personal. Suck it up. You are in a professional force and this is not a game. Go to the NCO you have a beef with in private, ask for a meeting, eat a little crow, be polite, ask for guidance, then get out of that meeting and straighten your shit up. Once you are out of training and in the real military there will not be time for hand holding, and God forbid you need hand holding when it comes time to make the call or bite the dust, or worse, someone you are supporting has to bite it because you couldn't get your head in the right place. Now is the time to get your shit straight, or you need to find another line of work. Keeping your ego and anger in check is step one.

Response by MSgt John Geruso made Mar 9 at 2020 8:34 AM

2020-03-09T08:34:38-04:00

Step up and stop doing stuff wrong. AIT isn't grade school, it's not basic, where you should have learned something, it's designed to teach you how to fight and survive in combat. Any screwup on your part is detrimental to mission and others.

Response by SFC Terry Bryant made Mar 9 at 2020 10:27 AM

2020-03-09T10:27:55-04:00

Understand one thing about being in the Military. You literally are the property of the US Government. Also while on US Government property you have consented to search and seizure of any and all kinds. You have ZERO rights while on Military property other than due process. It makes no difference whether you are a Soldier or a civilian. So if you are in AIT and whether or not you broke one or no rules a DS has the authority to search you and your property without notice any time he or she wants. If you can't abide by the rules while in AIT, how are you going to obey the rules as a potential leader in the Military. Grow up and get some discipline or your career in the Military will and should be very short.

Response by SgtMaj Dennis J. Plymale made Mar 9 at 2020 11:40 PM

2020-03-09T23:40:38-04:00

All I can say is that you must be a little snowflake and you should be damn glad you didn’t join the Marine Corps. I certainly glad you didn’t.

Response by MSgt Rick Bauchert made Mar 10 at 2020 9:55 AM

2020-03-10T09:55:10-04:00

This may be my lack of understanding of Army regs, or the fact that I've been retired from active duty for a while now, but I'm reading these comments scratching my head. Got it, Pvt, original poster, openly admits that he did something wrong. I also understand that while at Recruit Training there is a very fine line between illegal search and seizure and legitimate needs to keep close tabs on Recruits. But as an instructor at the largest MOS school in the Marine Corps, what this Pvt just explained would have landed me straight in front of the CO to discuss my new rank, lower paycheck and position. Again, I may not understand Army regs, so I don't want to get too far out of lane here on the actual search of this young Soldiers gear. For all I know DS's have that kind of authority even at AIT. But singling him out, tossing his room, bring in other Soldiers to witness the destruction......I'm a little confused. Are all of you SNCOs and Officers commenting advocates for me, a MSgt coming over to a SSgt's base housing unit to inspect it without PMO present without a warrant or order from the CO? Then tossing it looking for whatever it is I think he or she has? I mean that's essentially what you're advocating in the barracks. I get it, Pvt's left to their own live like pigs, do illegal stuff, and would basically turn the barracks into Lord of the Flies. But if you think you give up all of your Constitutional rights the minute you sign a contract and roll onto a DOD installation, you really need to consider who you're calling a sea/barracks lawyer, because that's not true. I agree, should use the COC to clear this up. But if that type of leadership is passed on to the next generation (toss a Soldiers room, then bring members of the opposite sex in to belittle this young Soldier in front of his platoon), don't question why you have leadership issues. You're not training and leading, you're simply using ineffective punishment. It's ineffective because look where he's brought it.

Response by 1SG Bob Baker made Mar 12 at 2020 7:55 PM

2020-03-12T19:55:42-04:00

Son, you do not have a clue about what it takes to be a soldier. Your NCO is trying like hell to find a way to motivate you to learn to obey rules and directions. Your continued BS shenanigan's are a direct reflection on the NCO's who passed you from Basic to AIT. You swore an oath to protect this country and obey the directions given you by those senior to you. I have been a retired 1SG for more than 30 years and you would not want to come into my office with a complaint like this. Toughen up buttercup.

Response by SFC Laurence Anderson made Mar 12 at 2020 8:55 PM

2020-03-12T20:55:01-04:00

If it were me, I would suck it up for 8 weeks and keep my nose clean. Do what is expected of you, graduate from AIT and get shipped to your unit.

Response by PFC Sarah McChristian made Apr 10 at 2020 4:14 PM

2020-04-10T16:14:54-04:00

You get to have a phone in AIT?! Wow must be nice. You would’ve hated being in when I went through basic and AIT We turned in our cell phones on day one and didn’t see them again until graduation. Consider yourself lucky you even get have a phone. You have to toughen up and stick it out for eight more weeks. I had a drill sergeant that hated my guts because like an idiot I was nervous on our first day and I laughed when he got up in my face. That man rode my ass all the way through basic and AIT and it took a long time for me to earn his respect. It sucked but that is how Basic and AIT is and if you can’t handle this now you may have problems when you actually get to your duty station or heaven forbid if you ever deploy. Things get a whole lot harder then.

Response by PFC Sarah McChristian made Apr 10 at 2020 4:42 PM

2020-04-10T16:42:19-04:00

PART 2:

PVT, I forgot to add in my original comment that in basic and AIT you get shaken down on a regular basis and yes they have every right to do that. You give up your right to any privacy whatsoever when you enter basic and AIT. You really gotta toughen up man. I don’t know what you were hoping you would find by posting this in this forum but obviously it backfired for you. No self-respecting soldier is going to feel sorry for you in this situation. Pardon me for saying so but you sound like a major soup sandwich right now! Like I said in my original comment with the drill sergeant I encountered in basic you have to earn their respect and if you’re doing things that put a target on your back then you got to deal with it. But if you can show a reasonable effort to do the right thing you can earn that respect. And my last word of advice don’t ever post this kind of whiny shit on here again! Take it like a man, do better, graduate and move the hell on. If I was your DS you’d be fucked with that kind of attitude. Being a soldier can be one of this most rewarding things in the world but you have to change your outlook cause if you don’t it’s not gonna be a fun ride. Good luck.

Response by SGT James Tyo made Apr 22 at 2020 6:15 PM

2020-04-22T18:15:10-04:00

SFC Boyd and 1SG Healy (aka TOP)... spot on. I served my training 1986 at Fort Leonard Wood... going in I knew what was expected of a soldier. Never use the word "gun", never be sloppy, late and be in proper uniform regardless of last second changes. I witnessed a young man placed into C.C.F. He straightened out after that experience. Reading the complaint leaves me bewildered.

Response by SSG Jason Trammell made Apr 23 at 2020 3:31 PM

2020-04-23T15:31:04-04:00

What is this Cellphone Business...really, SMDH. You are there for training, there is no Reg that says you need a cellphone, but, hey...who the hell Am I. Break the rules, get caught, get Punished, end of discussion. I promise you it will be easier to Shut up, train and get the hell out of there. If you decide to keep pushing the envelope, you will be there for alot longer, while they do their due diligence to kick you the hell out. I can promise you the later will take longer then you doing what your asked to do and graduating and moving on to your first duty assignment. If you listen to what 1SG Healy said to you I can promise your life will be a whole lot easier. As I told my sons when they went in the Army, do what your told, do your time, get the hell out if it's not for you. 1 has done his time, gotten out and another just made E6 and re-enlisted. Drive On!

Response by MAJ David Parr made Apr 23 at 2020 10:32 PM

2020-04-23T22:32:02-04:00

While in BCT, you 'belong' to the Army. Don't like it or can't or won't comply, then leave. Enough said.

Response by MAJ Christopher Thompson made Apr 24 at 2020 4:15 AM

2020-04-24T04:15:57-04:00

People constantly overlook there is no true thing as "personal privacy", while you are member of the US Armed Forces. If you work, reside, or operate on a Federally controlled containment area you and your property such as vehicles and homes (on base) are subject to search and seizure at ALL TIMES. That does not mean you have no rights, only you give up certain ones while a member. Get used to it, or leave the service. Experience both as retired officer, 6+ years of command, and prior service enlisted.

Response by PVT Allen Meissner made Apr 24 at 2020 6:45 PM

2020-04-24T18:45:56-04:00

I stayed out the line of fire by doing two things :Follow all orders and follow the rules !

Response by SSG Ralph Belander made Apr 25 at 2020 9:54 AM

2020-04-25T09:54:53-04:00

You are in training to work in supply. Thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars in equipment purchases and inventory. You will someday be able to work in logistics for a private company as well as ensure that your unit is combat ready. Or, based on you current record, you will slowly do more and more things against the rules, damage unit readiness and possibly get arrested. Your drill is trying, in a very short amount of time, to beat the things into you which you lack. I am not hopeful for you.

Response by SFC Ernest Thurston made Apr 25 at 2020 12:09 PM

2020-04-25T12:09:55-04:00

I think I may have answered this one before. But, but first of all the DS does have the authority to search your locker. It's not your locker it's the government's locker. When it comes to government billets and storage you have no legal expectation of privacy. A Drill Sergeant as an NCO has the same authority as a Military Policeman. You said you got in trouble the first time because you didn't realize that you had more freedom than when in BCT. Well, then the logical solution would be to act like you are in BCT. What's the number one rule in BCT? Do what you're told. The second rule is, Do what you're told. Why didn't you just revert to that instead of hiding phones and whatever else you are doing with you newfound freedom? The best lesson about military life came from the lips of Forest Gump when he was asked what he was going to do. He said, "Whatever you tell me to do Drill Sergeant!

Response by CPL Joseph Elinger made Apr 25 at 2020 12:32 PM

2020-04-25T12:32:56-04:00

Man up, Trainee !

Response by SSG Eric Blue made Apr 25 at 2020 6:00 PM

2020-04-25T18:00:12-04:00

You got your phone? That's enough to NOT complain about ANYTHING! No, really...it sounds like you have given your DS a reason to be suspicious of your behavior, intentions, etc. Moreover, a DS is responsible for those in training as well as the lodging in which they reside. If they feel that things might be out of place, THEY'RE GOING TO INVESTIGATE TO SEE IF THERE'S A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS FIXING! BUT, I could be wrong. I haven't been for my entire Army career, amazingly. But the chance still remains.

Response by SPC Dennis McQuinn made Apr 25 at 2020 6:35 PM

2020-04-25T18:35:12-04:00

Sounds like you are a fuck up and a repeat fuck up that! You need shut your mouth and do as you told!

Response by SSG Shawn Mcfadden made Apr 26 at 2020 8:18 AM

2020-04-26T08:18:54-04:00

Number 1. You got caught doing something YOU were NOT supposed to be doing. Second, your barracks lawyers need to STFU. Now if you want to talk to the First Sergeant about this, that's on you, but if you don't come correct, you'll get checked in.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2020 6:21 PM

2020-04-26T18:21:31-04:00

The army can toss your military issued gear, uniforms, barracks, lockers etc cause they are not your personal property. You have temporary signed for the equipment & space. Now while at BCT or AIT you are granted a personal drawer which is locked & a DS has not authority under law to have you open that up. That would require a warrant, MPs present for the search & seizure. Now while you were wrong to have contraband while in AIT your DS could also be in the wrong for what could possibly be targeting you. Which if that is Tru then your DS has bigger problems which you should be filing with your COC & also with JAG. But also look at it to see if you were in the wrong & why the DS was looking at you cause if you were to file you will be investigated & also could land you in just as much trouble if you are found in the wrong.
You go to your coc 1st then higher for sharp or IG complaints. But make sure you have evidence to back your claim.
If youre in the wrong take the counseling & move on.

Response by SSG Ronald Rollins made Apr 26 at 2020 10:10 PM

2020-04-26T22:10:47-04:00

Ahhh. A young private who thinks he knows more than he does. First thing you should do is THANK your D'S. A counseling statement stays there. An article 15 follows you. She is actually trying to help you and you don't see it. I spent 23 years in the military. I learned if I was getting into trouble, usually there was a reason. I would and have gone to my team leader, squad leader, and Platoon Sergeant. I requested a meeting. in that meeting I would ask what I was doing wrong. what are my shortcomings? How can I improve myself? may i have some one on one sessions even if it was after hours to improve. what do you know? It worked. They respected me more for asking for help instead of trying to shift the blame. You must take responsibility for yourself. Ask how to improve now. Better yourself now. Hell I even asked officers how to better myself. Usually Captains and above. No Lts. Put the blame where it belongs. On yourself.

Response by CPT Mike Sims made Apr 27 at 2020 6:47 AM

2020-04-27T06:47:46-04:00

You always want to use your chain of command, and you should bring the other Soldier with you. Let the 1SG know that you understand your responsibilities as a Soldier, you understand the need for discipline, and you are your buddy are working to adhere to the standards - however, this seems more like a Drill Sergeant with a personal agenda.

You have proven your ability thus far to adapt and follow orders by making it through basic training, so the AIT environment should allow you to prove yourself as a responsible Soldier. There is a difference between hazing and discipline - and while there are two sides to every story, there is also some truth in every story too.

Let the First Sergeant know your intent is not to ambush or get the Drill Sergeant in trouble, and you know there is a risk in even speaking to him - but your only concern is for that of you and your buddy is to have a good career in the Army. All that being said... stay out of sight - out of mind with the Drill Sergeant, the less she sees you, the less she has time to mess with you.

Also, as for free time - stay engaged in your studies to become MOS qualified and help your fellow Soldiers on passing their academics to become MOS qualified, and to pass their PT test... and in all cases - keep your barracks rooms inspection ready. This way, when the 1SG speaks to other Soldiers about you - he will hear good things about your character and determination, which will give him cause to have a discussion with the Drill Sergeant.

As for 4th Amendment (Search and Seizure)... the Constitution is the law of the land - but the Supreme Court has given great latitude to the UCMJ - extending to Commanders, Officers, Warrant Officers, and NCOs to maintain good order and discipline in a unit. That being said and from my experience as a Soldier, NCO, Officer and CI Special Agent - an NCO can search your barracks room, wall locker, foot locker (anything that is government property). They cannot search you specifically if you are not presenting yourself as a threat and are not believed to be carrying a weapon. If the Drill Sergeant believes you have committed a crime and are in possession of illegal contraband - they cannot initiate a search without reading you your rights, and they should not conduct a search without an Officer present, and should have MPs or CID present. In that case, regardless of your situation - you should ask for a JAG Officer (military attorney). As for the Drill Sergeant taking possession of your personal property without also taking possession of the same personal property of all others in the platoon (cell phones) - this amounts to theft of personal property and if obtained by threat or feeling threatened, then this constitutes unlawful coercion + extortion by force + conduct unbecoming an NCO + assault (not to be confused with battery - which is the unlawful and unwanted and uninvited touching with the intent to cause harm)... assault = being placed in a state of fear by another person because of their actions - or because of their position (in this case because she outranks you). These are all serious charges for which the Drill Sergeant could face if she is stepping outside her role as Instructor and engaging in behavior of bullying and hazing.

Hopefully this can all be cleared up with the 1SG's help, and you can get through the next several weeks of AIT. In the Army, I have had good and bad Soldiers, NCOs, Warrant Officers, and Officers. Training environments should be challenging, but of an Instructor is acting more like a bully than a football coach - then that's when a leader needs to be made aware and should step in to rectify the situation sooner rather than later.

Best of luck + hang in there!

Response by SPC Brian Lloyd made Apr 27 at 2020 7:10 PM

2020-04-27T19:10:40-04:00

This is why SFC Hulka chose to retire

Response by AB Blake Bowers made Apr 28 at 2020 9:24 PM

2020-04-28T21:24:20-04:00

You should go see your 1sgt. Absolutely. Your friends are hoping you do, so they can laugh at what happens. Do it now!

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2020 7:02 AM

2020-04-29T07:02:29-04:00

Yes please go tell your 1SG. He absolutely deserves to know how much you suck at following orders. I'm assuming you havent gotten your phones back which would mean your using someone else's or bought a new one. Congrats, your gonna piss off your DS again and be "targeted" once again. He's most likely going to 1) tell her and let her do what she will, or 2) tell her and let her do what she will, and then run paperwork on you. Idk why it seems the military gets entitled kids that somehow remain entitled past bootcamp, its must be getting too soft. But you need to realize something, you joined the military, the military did not join you. You are their property more or less until you fulfill your contract. You have rights, but you very much appear to need to research them and understand what exactly your rights are. If your in student status (which you are) your rights and freedoms are even slimmer. When you screw up your rights are even slimmer. While your living in barracks your living in a government owned building and can be at any time searched because the military reserves the right to know what you do and do not have in their building. Most Marines arent even allowed a toaster despite alot the buildings being concrete. Suck it up, accept life isnt meant to be easy until you've got some time in and earned respect, and just do what your told or implied to do.

Response by SGT Fergus Mason made Apr 29 at 2020 3:59 PM

2020-04-29T15:59:46-04:00

She doesn't need your permission to search your lockers. If she suspects you have contraband in them she can search them any time she wants. And - surprise! - she was right!

Wind your neck in, take what's coming to you, and do what you're told from now on.

Response by SPC Ryan Vanlaanengregory made Apr 29 at 2020 5:27 PM

2020-04-29T17:27:56-04:00

Wait till you get to your unit and someone goes to the hospital for huffing compressed air. You singed your privacy away at MEPS.

It's not hard, show up before formation in the right place, the right uniform with the right stuff, and your life will be easy.

Response by Cpl Ernest Thomas made Apr 29 at 2020 6:49 PM

2020-04-29T18:49:10-04:00

Just quit now. You're not even close to understanding the military. You're a 10%er or as we say in the Corps, a complete SHITBIRD!! Go tell your 1st Sgt you want to quit and get out. If you're lucky you'll get out with a general discharge for the good of the service and the others in your class will let you keep your teeth..

Response by CPT Corey O'gorman Carlson made Apr 29 at 2020 11:06 PM

2020-04-29T23:06:30-04:00

I would say that you have more of a problem with spelling and sentence structure.

Response by PFC David Brown made Apr 30 at 2020 1:16 AM

2020-04-30T01:16:41-04:00

If you pantywaists cant take 2 months of coddling, air conditioning, and 3 square meals you have no business in boot camp. When I was in, boot was only 8 weeks, but they CRAMMED hell into all 8 weeks. We slept in ww2 barracks (1 common room for the entire company), ate crap cooked by halfwits, and more often than not marched till our feet bled and then were told to pop the blisters, NOT report to the medics. Our drill sergeants 'cared' for us by kicking our butts day in and day out. Fortunately, I was in after it was made illegal for a DS to hit a boot, or I woulda been in the hospital most of basic. (I was a royal pita). Again, if you cant handle being singled out for a little lovin by your DS, ESPECIALLY since you seem to deserve it, then get the HECK out of the service.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2020 8:42 AM

2020-04-30T08:42:29-04:00

there's been a lot of constructive responses.

So here's mine.

Suck it up. You're breaking the rules and your peers are ratting you our.

'cant take it any longer' well brother, you signed a contract and just because you don't want to do AIT which is EASY compared to basic training and you can't seem to follow the rules and guidelines you deserve what you got. Part of being a Soldier is doing the right thing, and mental toughness. Time to toughen up.

Good for that DS for making an example of you.

Now get your shit together and quit making excuses for why you're getting punished. You did wrong. Own up to it and move on. Fix your shit, do the right thing.
Good thing is there iS plenty of time for you to get on the right track. Lord knows when I was a lower enlisted I wasn't squared away all the time, but I'm thankful I had good NCOs to help guide me on the right path and it came from tough love many times. Thankfully I listened. And if it weren't from those NCOs I wouldn't have been a good NCO or be where I am today in my officer career.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2020 8:43 AM

2020-04-30T08:43:21-04:00

simple as : don't so stupid shit.

Response by SGT Michael Brand made Apr 30 at 2020 8:34 PM

2020-04-30T20:34:08-04:00

Some punctuation would have been nice. This is by far the longest run on sentence I have ever read.

Response by TSgt Michael Z Williamson made Apr 30 at 2020 11:24 PM

2020-04-30T23:24:49-04:00

I agree with others that your inability to write in coherent sentences isn't going to get you anywhere. Nor is your belief that "Oh, well, I was violating regs but she hates me, so so what?" She doesn't hate you. You're obviously a known soup sandwich, and the rest of the element doesn't want to get in trouble because of you. Her job is to rectify your attitude or get you out before you're a problem for others, potentially a lethal problem.

I may be spoiled because we never had phones to worry about in training unless we went to the pay phone, and typically had at least 3 to a room with a shared latrine down the hall. OTOH, the females were in a different bay and not allowed entry and vice versa.

As the 1SG is likely to be from my generation or only slightly younger, you're unlikely to get any sympathy there.

Response by SPC Joyce Sorrell Amann made May 1 at 2020 10:36 AM

2020-05-01T10:36:58-04:00

When you joined the military you became US government property. Because of that they have a right to search you and your property anytime and any way they choose. If you don't like what they do then get out otherwise grow up and follow the rules!

Response by SPC Joyce Sorrell Amann made May 1 at 2020 10:41 AM

2020-05-01T10:41:42-04:00

You are US government property they own you for your term of duty, yes they have the right to search you and your property, single you out or do anything they deem necessary to turn you into the soldier you have to be. If you don't want to or feel you can't follow the rules get out.

Response by SGT Joseph Jones made May 1 at 2020 11:22 AM

2020-05-01T11:22:03-04:00

Brother coming from another hard head you have to learn ONE: not any of your Platoon or Drill Sgt. or 1st Sgt. Want to put you out. Her job is to mold you into a 92Y that’s worth a shit. So when you go to your unit you follow the rules that are written. These small rules are there to insure you will follow big ones and not order the best shades and gear for your buddies but give everyone else the cheap shit. You have rules and regs as a life now if you choose to stay in my Army. The drill sgt. Has a boss too who expects her to have you squared away. That’s her job. You are in training your privileges are just that privileges not rights. I was phase 4 and 5 before I could even see my wife let alone have a cell phone. We didn’t get off base we had weekly inspections. You weren’t done wrong you did wrong. Suck it the F up and drive on. HOOAH. She called the females in hoping to embarrass you and motivate you. She’s tried other methods apparently and they didn’t work. Start doing the right things. The army core values mean something. Read up on them. LDRSHIP
INTEGRITY being one of the most important means to do what’s right even when no one is looking. Think about that for a bit.

The other thing is you will be writing reports for your unit before long and ordering things learn to use words correctly. The forms won’t have autocorrect. The word barrack expectations in place of inspections and all of the other misspellings you had are a little far out considering your age and where you are in training. Worry more about that shit.
6 Ps are what you need to focus on it seems.
Proper Planning Prevents PissPoor performance

Response by Cpl Jeff Ruffing made May 1 at 2020 2:17 PM

2020-05-01T14:17:32-04:00

Ok, I’m going to try and be as polite as I can on this subject towards you. You entered the military without reading the fine print. Ever hear of the phrase “ give your heart to Jesus, cause your ass is mine”? Well that’s the way it is. You signed your rights away. Even the sign at the front gate states that “All personal and vehicles are subject to search and seizure on this base” The sign didn’t say everyone but you. You have entered into a socialist society. Now for all those that want to argue the point, one I don’t care, and secondly, I don’t care. In a socialist society when a person gets into a position of authority, they can do pretty much what they want to do as long as it doesn’t go against the socialist rules. You, boot, are called a boot for a reason. You are in the lowest rank and file of the socialistic society. You will follow the rules, you will obey, and when you F up, you will pay. I served for 20 years and 8 months under this guideline. However, there are some people out there that want the socialism to be our way of life. Not on my watch. Suck it up, be a good little person, take the abuse, because you brought it on yourself. Stop F’ing up and get their it

Response by PO3 Paul Belham made May 1 at 2020 2:46 PM

2020-05-01T14:46:35-04:00

Suck it up you got caught with something you weren't supposed to have make sure you tell 1sgt that ok. you lost your freedom when you enlisted don't be a pussy and complain about something YOU did wrong

Response by SGT William Bill Turner made May 1 at 2020 3:20 PM

2020-05-01T15:20:23-04:00

Ok that right there must be an OCS candidate from the way that is written. Don't these people know that even with the Service easing up on everything it still is not a Democracy. Your locker and footlocker is locked not to keep the DI out while you are in training but to keep the rest of your platoon from going thru your stuff. Grow up.

Response by CPL Francis Friel made May 1 at 2020 11:51 PM

2020-05-01T23:51:00-04:00

Yes, go to your 1st Sergeant. I'm sure he can get the paperwork started on your early separation from the Army seeing as you are not fit to be in the military.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made May 2 at 2020 11:59 PM

2020-05-02T23:59:46-04:00

So you need to take a step back and get some perspective. Drill Sgts/Drill Instructors have a job to do. You have a pre existing beef with this Drill Sgt for some prior shenanigans. You were suspected of having a contraband item and was discovered with said contraband. You don’t have much of a limb to stand on at this point. Stop trying to game the game and just do the right thing because it’s the right thing to do.

Response by SSG Gregg Mourizen made May 3 at 2020 2:04 PM

2020-05-03T14:04:03-04:00

From what I am reading, many of the commenters are assuming you are still in basic with the "only 2 months" comments. I am assuming you are in AIT ("fresh out of basic" freedoms).
Remember you are only one notch higher than a recruit. You have not earned the rights and privileges of a soldier yet. Every F'up will just set you farther back (ie the cell phone). Whether intentional, or not.
I have a saying "If everyone is always being a jerk to you, then maybe you and not them, are the reason why". You said yourself, your first couple weeks were rough. You apparently earned the stigma. It might be you, or it could just be your association to the other guy. Distancing yourself from him, might be what you need to do.
A Drill Sargent's job is to fix you, so you are not your next leaders problem. "Anything and everything" is part of their job. You are one of many, and they don't have time for BS, hence making you a burden. They don't know anything about you. Some will never care to. They just want things to run smoothly. The most effective measure is through peer pressure, but some lucky fools will get focused attention.
If you feel you are being singled out, start at the source. Talk to your DS and see what you can do to change things. Man Up! Own your mistakes. If you feel you are being singled out, that would definitely be something to bring up with her. If you feel she did something inappropriate, also something to bring up with her. Searches? well you did say you have a history, supported by her finding the cell phone you were support to surrender. Intentional or not it happened. Time to suck it up, and deal with the consequences. (Yeah, more rhetoric)
If you decide to take it to the 1st Sgt or higher, just remember, they will be duty bound to investigate. Anything you conceal will come up in that investigation. You can't count on your "friends" to cover for you. Stick to the facts. Explain your history. Most importantly, be sure your problem is legitimate. One of the first questions you will be asked, is "have you talked to her about this." Next, "have you used your NCO support chain". Do you have evidence and/or witnesses to support your claims?
I'll be honest, so far the only thing you might have here, is the parading of females through your room, after trashing it. Good luck with that, unless you can show a pattern of behavior.
Odds are, you will go to your next command with a clean slate, unless you really, really screwed up. Take your lessons learned and try not to repeat your mistakes. Because if you do, as long as you live in the barracks, you will be subject to more of the same.
I wish you luck and hope you manage to smooth things out.

Response by SSgt Rick Zambrana made May 3 at 2020 11:08 PM

2020-05-03T23:08:45-04:00

Send him to Ft. Benning! Please!..

Response by TSgt David Olson made May 4 at 2020 10:02 PM

2020-05-04T22:02:50-04:00

WOW. When I was in basic, Fort Leonard Wood, MO. I had a platoon sergeant who hit me in the stomach several times, just for general purposes. At Fort Gordon, GA the M.P. School, at the time, our sergeants loved to have you double time around a quarter mile track behind our barracks. This was in May, June and July, now you wore your pack, belt and all the other gear, except our rifle’s. Another favorite was the “dying cockroach position. On your back with arms and legs extended straight up. These were some of things we did when we went brain dead. Our sergeants did not hate us, but used various methods to gain our attention or as a punishment for minor acts of “stupid”. Never once did the thought of complaining to someone enter my mind. It was all part of the training for which I was glad.

Response by SFC Tyrone Brown made May 7 at 2020 9:56 AM

2020-05-07T09:56:06-04:00

You will be better off just going through your 8 weeks and stay out of the DS's way. If you want to show that you have improved, try volunteering for additional duties or assisting a fellow soldier with a deficiency that may help them through training.

If you truly want to stay in and not get picked on or be "hated", do the right thing when no one is looking, maintain your discipline, and set the example.

For you to come this far and to demonstrate that you are undisciplined, shows your lack of engagement and will not look favorable for future opportunities. Tighten up your shot group (discipline) and demonstrate to yourself and your branch of service that you are here to serve.

Response by MSG Ben Reeves made May 8 at 2020 12:46 AM

2020-05-08T00:46:14-04:00

When you stop to another person level, they have won, AIT is short keep looking forward and be proud of what you accomplished.

Response by 1SG Steven Malkowski made May 10 at 2020 10:05 AM

2020-05-10T10:05:14-04:00

Wait... what... Phone? Two phones? Things have changed since I was in BCT/AIT. Yeah, definitely have a talk with your Top Sergeant. Wear earplugs so you don't suffer a hearing loss and have to be a medical discharge. Good luck.

Response by MAJ Gerald Richards made May 12 at 2020 11:08 PM

2020-05-12T23:08:37-04:00

I left active duty as a Major (O4) in 1967. If the Army has changed it's ways to prevent a Platoon Sergeant from searching anyone under her command, then I would fear for the discipline of the troops when the chips are down.

Response by Sgt Steven Smith made Jun 7 at 2020 7:10 AM

2020-06-07T07:10:46-04:00

This isnt even a question, you made a choice, deal with it for the next 4 years or ruin your life.

Response by Lt Col Steve Bonning made Jun 11 at 2020 1:07 PM

2020-06-11T13:07:58-04:00

Sounds like a complaint from an entitled Millennial who got caught but can't accept responsibility. Of course this is coming from someone who enlisted at age 25, competed to stay up with the 19 year olds and did so in 1975, before Stress Cards or wet bulb readings

Response by MSG Harvey Kane made Jun 29 at 2020 12:03 PM

2020-06-29T12:03:17-04:00

As Charlie Brown said: Why's everybody picking on me?

Response by CPO John Moore made Jul 11 at 2020 7:18 PM

2020-07-11T19:18:49-04:00

Cowboy/cowgirl, you better get it through your thick skull you are not long in the civilian world. you are in a world with a new set of laws, regulations, and customs. (and on top of that you are also liable to the laws outside the chain-link fence too. the sooner you clean up your act and start actin and being a soldier of the army or whatever branch of service you might be in the better off you will be. no there is people you can talk to if you think your DI is on you arse all the time for nothing, but before you talk to them you better make sure all the duck you have in a row belongs to you and no else..

Response by SSG Phillip Bliss made Jul 25 at 2020 1:26 PM

2020-07-25T13:26:28-04:00

Old thread, I know... but here’s my 2 cents. I think a Soldier that feels they are being unfairly targeted (it happens) or at least over zealously targeted (also happens) should go to the 1SG! And here’s why. They should explain that they messed up, and have given DS (whomever) an excuse to target them... but they have changed their evil ways. Request that the 1SG do a search (or another DS) and lay everything out! Remove anything not allowed or even boarder line to be bagged up and retrieved on graduation. Also request that they get a weekly check done by a DS once a week. Nothing shows the desire to do what’s right more than admitting you were wrong and offering a solution to prove it. Oh, and actually stop Having contraband!

Response by MSG Lonnie Averkamp made Aug 10 at 2020 10:59 PM

2020-08-10T22:59:35-04:00

Ya know, you DO put yourself on Thin Ice, when your story included, "...I was wrong for not turning it in but.....". This is a good learning experience to decide that, if you think that you MIGHT get into a conflict with a Superior, make sure that you have your own affairs in order. It gives you a Much better chance of winning.