Can I withdraw my 3rd year of being a Drill Sergeant? What would be the damaging effects of doing so?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 Aug 2022 17:35:51 -0400

I am a Drill Sergeant at Fort Jackson, I put in for my 3rd year and it got approved so now my dehat date is Nov of 2023. I don't mind being a DS in the sense that I get a product, training them then push them to AIT. I got pushed to the processing battalion which is not where I want to be at all I don't feel like a Drill Sergeant but I have to potentially be here until Nov of 2023. I did a 3rd year in order to do the ROTC or OCS but this place is really getting to me to the point where I don't want to go to work, the culture is not a good fit for me I thought BCT was political this place essentially allow for trainees to disrespect us but because we only have 3 days to process there is really is no time to deal with or mentor that individual which takes me back to not really being a DS while I am here. I know that it is my duty to only in-process these trainees but its just making me feel some type of way were I don't care and I don't want get to that point.

My question is would I be able to withdraw my 3rd year, and if so what would be the damaging effects of doing so? I feel like I can get mentorship from this site. Thank you for your time.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 28 at 2022 5:56 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 Aug 2022 17:56:20 -0400

i GET YOUR POINT.. GOOD LUCK

Response by Cpl Vic Burk made Aug 28 at 2022 8:16 PM

Cpl Vic Burk — Sun, 28 Aug 2022 20:16:43 -0400

SSG Private RallyPoint Member I can't really speak for the Army but in the Marines being removed from the drill field or not completing their assignment was a career killer. I knew a Sgt who was removed and given a RE-3C reenlistment code and fought tooth and nail to try to stay in, but the Corps said "No."
And I knew a SSgt who got removed and remained a SSgt for nineteen years! (I didn't believe him so he showed me his promotion certificate to SSgt). Finally they promoted him to GySgt then he retired the following summer with twenty-six years active duty. (He was administrative MOS)
Not what you may want to hear, but if you don't want your career to be jeopardized do your time and count the days until you can leave with your head held high. Either that or go see your commanding officer and request a reassignment back to training recruits instead of processing them. Best of luck to you Brother.

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Aug 28 at 2022 8:46 PM

SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM — Sun, 28 Aug 2022 20:46:36 -0400

I would look at the regulation that specification addresses extensions and or withdrawals of Drill Sergeant duties. Also you should answer the question of what did you submit for an extension in the first place? I suggest that you stick it out. You don't want any seen or unseen actions that could insue for stepping down. You must have been excelling at what you do to be granted the extension. Also you may want to talk to you branch or proponent regarding your situation. Another thought is staying on DS status could provide a feather in your cap to compete for OCS and or E-8 based on the fact that the normal rotation is 3 years shows that you are someone who clearly exceed as compared to others. You should consider yourself as fortunate to see the aspect of serving as DS in BCT and Reception.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Aug 29 at 2022 8:13 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 08:13:42 -0400

I would recommend working with your leadership and finding a way to either move to another billet/position or resolve issues in your current position. I would not recommend trying to bail on the Drill Field before your time is up. As Vic Burk mentioned, in The Marine Corps leaving a Special Duty Assignment before your completion date is very detrimental to your career. I assume the Army is similar in that respect. I know the Drill Field is a challenging task and you should look at this as a new challenge. During my time in the military I ran into a lot of systemic things that weren't always written in stone. They weren't the way things had to be but they were the way things had always been. They were able to be changed if you put the time and effort to demonstrate there was a better way to get the job done. Try to find a way to improve the current position or find a new position. Use that to your benefit and as a way to improve things. You should stick it out so you end on solid terms but you shouldn't just accept things as they are either. Good Luck

Response by SP5 Dennis Loberger made Aug 29 at 2022 9:27 AM

SP5 Dennis Loberger — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 09:27:04 -0400

Hang in there. Want OCS? Quitting won't get you there

Response by 2LT Brian L. made Aug 30 at 2022 12:48 AM

2LT Brian L. — Tue, 30 Aug 2022 00:48:40 -0400

Have emailed or called your branch manager?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 30 at 2022 4:28 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Aug 2022 04:28:17 -0400

You will have completed a full drill tour shortly, so there would be no harm. However, I seriously doubt drill branch would approve it. In terms of movement, you've already missed the marketplace for your original marketplace, so they can't move your end date back to November this year. In terms of strength management, they've already submitted their levies based on forecasted strengths that involve you filling the position you extended for. Basically, you leaving that position has second and third order effects for Drill branch to fill and the person who would have to short notice fill your spot.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Aug 30 at 2022 12:02 PM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Tue, 30 Aug 2022 12:02:15 -0400

You are close to finishing your initial commitment and earned your 'brown round.' The rest of this is playing games in your head that you need to find a way past. Sure it is hard you cannot have the effect on the trainees you used to have but remember in all things, you change what you can in this life and accept what you cannot change. Let me give you some perspective here. I am an ER RN and have taken more than one dead baby or child to the morgue that we failed to save. I can even tell you their names and it was painful. I spent 18 years as an Army RN and today I still love going to work and can make a difference in people's lives. I could not save those children but there are so many I can help. I was taught two decades ago "It is their emergency, not yours" and these disrespectful new trainees, well their attitude is their problem not yours. It will get sorted out and please accept it is someone else's job to fix their problem (not yours) and get the job done Drill SGT as you are expected to every day in your current role.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2022 11:29 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Sep 2022 11:29:08 -0400

I would talk to whoever the DS liason is at Ft. Jackson.

Response by 1SG Frank Boynton made Sep 2 at 2022 6:20 PM

1SG Frank Boynton — Fri, 02 Sep 2022 18:20:41 -0400

I was on the trail from 1981-1983. In 82 when my two years were up I was called into the Bn Cdr’s office. He wanted me to volunteer for the 3rd year. I flatly refused. He involuntarily extended me anyhow. Yes he was a prick. But I wa able to stay in my same slot I would have hated reception station. Anyhow in 83 I came out on my MOS Advance Course list. And my very last cycle of my 3rd year was my class date. My Bn Cdr was so pissed he tried to have my course rescheduled. I had a talk with the Bn CSM and he convinced the commander to let me go. When I graduated I immediately got orders for Ft Lewis. I came home from training and the commander said I was going to another company that had just filled. I showed him my orders and that was the last time I saw that asshole.