How do Reserve drill sergeants operate?

2021-04-13T17:16:58-04:00

Reenlistment is coming up and I just want a general run down if someone who might know how reserve drill sergeants operate. General information for consideration on my next move in the military.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Apr 13 at 2021 8:27 PM

2021-04-13T20:27:02-04:00

I was a Recruiter and had three battalions of Drill Sergeants in my area. A Company has a Commander and possibly one more Officer. First Sergeant, platoon Sergeants, mess and supply. Usually the Supply Sergeant is an AGR. In a mobilization they would go to a training base and replace the Regular Army Cadre. Usually AT is training troops

Response by LTC Wayne Brandon made Apr 13 at 2021 9:33 PM

2021-04-13T21:33:08-04:00

I was a Reserve Drill Sergeant for 18 months and following that I worked in the training environment in the Reserve system as an officer commanding at both the company and battalion levels.
The DS's will generally work on MOSQ and MOS proficiency relative to OSUT requirements of the AD component. The standards for both Reserve and AD are the same so the Reservist works at their trade constantly to be the SME on every task and ready to teach any of the classes at a moment's notice.
It requires a lot of dedication to achieve and maintain the standards which, mind you, change from year to year. Needless to say, it is not a job suitable for the average soldier.
There is much more to it but this is an adequate sketch of what to expect and you should be able to fill in the rest of the blanks.
All the best to you should you choose this path for yourself.

Response by CSM William Payne made Apr 13 at 2021 10:48 PM

2021-04-13T22:48:53-04:00

There are reserve drill sergeant units in most of the contiguous 48 states, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam & American Somoa. All drill sergeant candidates go through The Army Drill Sergeant School at Fort Jackson.

The Army Reserve Command for the reserve drill sergeant units is the In the 108th Training Command (Initial Entry Training, Charlotte, NC. It has 3 subordinate divisions. You are assigned to one of these divisions, based primarily on your location.

The 98th Division, headquarter out of Fort Benning has units east of the Mississippi. The 95th Division is headquartered out of Fort Sill Oklahoma, has the units in the west. The 104th out of Joint-Base Lewis-McCord, has units on both sides of the country supporting ROTC Training.

Depending in your location, you either attend battle assemblies at your unit location, or the nearest training installation; Jackson, Benning, Leonard Wood or Sill. During Annual Training, the norm is to do two weeks or longer, augmenting basic training at one of those posts. Mostly, but not exclusively during what is called “the summer surge”.

You may do it as part of your unit or be attached to fill out a regular Army basic training unit. But they are tasked to do many other functions as well.

Being a drill sergeant is not for everybody. You need to be a self starter, self disciplined, dedicated Soldier to succeed. The application requirements are the same for active and reserve components, and they are high. But if you chose to do it and succeed, it can be one of the most rewarding jobs you can do in the Army.

It also enhances your promotion chances, especially for SGT - MSG. Look at the uniforms of the most senior Army NCOs and you’ll notice many of them wear the “Pumpkin Patch”.

Here is the information of the 108th. If you have specific questions, they are the resource to answer any specific questions you may have.

Hope this helps.

https://www.usar.army.mil/108thTC/

108th TNG CMD

Official site of the U.S. Army Reserve, the federal military reserve forces of the United States.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2021 12:38 AM

2021-04-14T00:38:27-04:00

I was a TPU reserve drill from 2015-2019 and an AGR drill from 2019-2020.

TPU is the in-road”. Do a few weeks a year or go on year long ADOS orders. Maybe become one of the 8 USAR drills that get selected as a DS Leader (instructor). That’s up to three years of ADOS.

If you have more questions about this- I’m very experienced and willing to share.

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Apr 14 at 2021 9:12 AM

2021-04-14T09:12:35-04:00

When I was a SGT in the 4th BDE (CST), 80th Tng Div, I was surprised how DSes, for lack of another word, were considerate in the BCT Brigades. Not sure if it an anomaly, but they not kick trash cans in the morning, not double up on hollering in each ear of trainee, not have trainees give blanket parties, etc. Of course, I only observed them 2 weeks at a time at Jackson. Nothing like the DSes I had at Jackson just a few years before. Guess I would say they were more laid back!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2021 11:02 AM

2021-04-18T11:02:11-04:00

The actual missions depend on your MOS and unit you're assigned to. However, in general. If you have already been to the academy most units prefer to send their DSs to support the same mission MOSs grouped together. If the time line doesn't work for you, you have to find a time and unit supported mission to attend... or PME school to attend. Standard time is 15 to 17 days but you can commit to as much time as you can afford to. If you haven't been to the academy you will be regarded as a candidate. Priority will be getting you a school seat and prepping you for the academy. After you grad the previous applies. Again this varies a bit by, MOS, unit, location, and the missions they support.