Former Drill Sergeants: What habits from your DS days have stuck with you forever?

SPC July Macias — Fri, 21 Jun 2024 00:24:36 -0400

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Jun 21 at 2024 11:27 AM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Fri, 21 Jun 2024 11:27:25 -0400

KNIFE HAND!! Plus I retained a very aggressive attitude. I was self employed (farrier). Have had customers tell me at first they were very afraid of me because of my rough voice, attitude, but soon they learned things were good.

Response by MAJ Montgomery Granger made Jun 21 at 2024 12:50 PM

MAJ Montgomery Granger — Fri, 21 Jun 2024 12:50:15 -0400

Wow! What a great question! I am not a former DS, but I'd like to take this opportunity to talk about them! I am prior enlisted, and had the honor and privilege of going through basic training in the fall of 1987 at Ft. Bliss, TX. I had already earned a BS Ed. and MA, and was a licensed teacher, but had loans to repay, so I joined the National Guard to become a Combat Medic. I'll never forget the DS asking how many semesters of college anyone had. He started with "One, raise your hand." My Hand stayed up when he got to seven. The DS team talked with me privately and asked if I could help with guiding the younger, less educated privates. I told them I would. I never got special treatment or consideration, but I was selected for leadership positions within the platoon. In my eyes, my Drill Sergeants were perfect human beings. Flawless men who gave everything they had to make sure we were competent, tough, effective soldiers. To this day I am in awe of them. Was I lucky, or is this indicative of all or most DS? They instilled a sense of pride in personal and team achievement, goal setting, effort, correctness, and so much more. They lived, ate and slept the Army Values: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage: LDRSHIP. Hooah!

Response by SFC Domingo M. made Jun 26 at 2024 7:34 PM

SFC Domingo M. — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 19:34:04 -0400

All the Drills, I knew during my stint, knew when to turn it on and when to turn it off. You don't take it home with you, accept the part where you prepare for the next day spit-shined boots and uniforms and the hat press. I found there was no need to dehumanize trainees. We trained them and got them qualified in all their basic soldiering skills by graduation day each and every cycle. I got to shake the parent's hands while being thanked for the job we did because they all wrote home and talked about their training. I always had my qualities which came with me. Job was number one and still is. I had a problem with those in authority telling me what and how to do things and found it better to become my own boss which worked out well after I bought my own truck and leased on to companies and called my own shots.

Response by SSgt Jay Beitz made Jul 30 at 2024 5:00 PM

SSgt Jay Beitz — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 17:00:12 -0400

As a former DS and senior DS, I love the other comments about how great their DSs were. I knew a couple bad ones, but they eventually were held accountable.
The things that I kept are how to turn the intensity switch on or off, based on the needs of the situation. How to motivate and when each type of motivation is appropriate. Those are great in leadership and relationships. For my own benefit, the main takeaway that I use everyday is a basic principle I taught every soldier… METTC! That little concept can be utilized in ANY planning or evaluation. Mission and time are the same, just change Enemy to obstructions, Terrain to parameters, and Civilians to consequences, and out can be used in any civilian/employment planning or decision!

Response by SFC Christopher Van Loon made Jul 31 at 2024 10:55 AM

SFC Christopher Van Loon — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 10:55:41 -0400

Ds at Fort Benning, GA 1989-1991; Using the "Insist and Assist" method: Insist on high standards of performance and Assist people to meet those levels of performance. Also, using PT/Punishment as an attention-getting device; once one has their attention, explain what the deficiency was and provide another opportunity to excel.

Response by 1SG Jerry Butts made Aug 1 at 2024 2:18 AM

1SG Jerry Butts — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 02:18:22 -0400

The habit of getting to a place 10-15 minutes ahead of schedule; integrity even in the face of overwhelming odds. To never judge a soldier by what you have heard but by what you can honestly prove. That not all 2d and 1st Lieutenants are "green behind the ears!!!" And that Leaders come in 3 categories........1. The Leader that can and makes things happen............2. The Leader that watches and lets things happen...........3. The Leader that wonders what happens!!!!..... If you give any Private or lower enlisted these guidelines..... and put him or her in front of a formation...... they can point out the leaders and the coasters and the slackers!!!

Response by 1SG Jerry Butts made Aug 1 at 2024 2:23 AM

1SG Jerry Butts — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 02:23:28 -0400

I was Drill Sergeant and had the privilege of being chosen as the Senior Field Leader.......I have seen both outstanding Drill Sergeants.........and those who you wonder how they made it into the program......there is nothing more rewarding than seeing someone who comes in green......and leaves a Soldier......not just a person earning a paycheck!!!

Response by SGT Craig Hoffman made Aug 1 at 2024 7:38 PM

SGT Craig Hoffman — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 19:38:50 -0400

I was drafted Nov 1967. I was sent to Harmony Church in Ft Benning Georgia. My Drill Sergeant was Sgt. Otis Page. He had a room upstairs in our WW II wooden barracks. He was very strict and would not get close to any of the trainees. I was pulling fire guard one night around 2am when Sgt Page drove in in his Mustang. He was very intoxicated. He entered the barracks and was having a difficult time climbing the stairs to his room. I helped him up the stairs. When we got to the top he sat down on the top step. He thanked me for the help but explained he will NEVER become close to any of us. He said to me, "You must learn everything I teach you if you want a chance to survive Vietnam. He was right. I needed everything he taught us, I had no idea what was in store for me. I was a young 20 year old man, who grew up in a very comfortable lifestyle with caring parents. Without Sgt Page, I would have never had any idea what I was going to experience with my time in the 196th Light Infantry.

Response by SPC Matt Ovaska made Sep 10 at 2024 8:46 AM

SPC Matt Ovaska — Tue, 10 Sep 2024 08:46:03 -0400

I had 1 good DI for1 week. The rest were, well, I could go on for 2 days. I did like the smokey the bear hat.