What does a Reserve Drill Sergeant need to do to be placed on orders?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 10:53:45 -0400

I am a Reserve Drill Sergeant trying to get orders for as least a year to Fort Benning. Just wondering if anyone can tell me what steps to take and who to talk to. Thanks!

Response by SSG Mario J. Ramos Jr. made Jul 7 at 2015 11:04 AM

SSG Mario J. Ramos Jr. — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 11:04:57 -0400

Call drill sergeant branch and if they need reserve drill sergeants they can cut you TCS orders. I had a partner as a drill sergeant that was a reserve drill sergeant from Michigan and that's how he was brought to Fort Benning that way.

Response by CSM Jennifer Dehorty made Jul 7 at 2015 11:17 AM

CSM Jennifer Dehorty — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 11:17:26 -0400

As with all processes, inform your chain of command. They may already have eyes on opportunities that you can't see.

Response by CSM William Payne made Jul 7 at 2015 11:43 AM

CSM William Payne — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 11:43:28 -0400

Am I too assume the you have already approached this with your First Sergeant and / or Battalion Command Sergeant Major? If yes, what was the response?

Response by CSM William Payne made Jul 7 at 2015 1:07 PM

CSM William Payne — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 13:07:41 -0400

This is a great way to ingratiate yourself with your COC / NCO Support Channel, do an end run on them . . . Not really.

You need to know what the AT load plan is for the year and what your unit staffing requirements looks like. Things a young drill sergeant probably has little visability of.

Also, with war fighting dollars winding down, reserve funds to support such a mission, especially in the 4th quarter of the government fiscal year may be few to nonexistent at this time.

It would help if the drill sergeant already has a working relationship with a unit at Fort Benning that could put in a by name request in for the Soldier with his command.

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made Jul 7 at 2015 3:29 PM

1SG Michael Blount — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 15:29:05 -0400

Funny you should ask - I just ran across a listing where the folks at Jackson, Benning, etc. need DSLs. Interested?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2015 10:56 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 22:56:28 -0400

Usually the easiest way is to request orders when you go to AT. Just talk to your command, if they can't help do a little research and contact the command you want to go to.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 10 at 2015 2:20 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 14:20:24 -0400

Take a look at Tour of Duty after giving your CoC a heads up.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2015 9:16 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 09:16:46 -0500

They are probably just going to tell you there is no budget. Especially the 98th.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2015 9:43 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 09:43:24 -0500

Obviously there are ways. As always let your chain of command know what your up to. After that it's going to be 100% up to you do make it happen. It is possible. You can contact the school house, they are very helpful.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2016 4:28 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 16:28:42 -0500

Always make sure you have the support of your current chain of command prior to volunteering for any missions outside of it.
I worked this program at FLW for several years handling everything from the coordination with TRADOC G1, Tour of Duty input and approval, reception/integration/ SRP. 95% of the RC DS's put on orders at FLW over the past several years were funded by TRADOC. (Not your parent unit 108th TC. 108th can fund tours using ADOS-RC if funds permit but with current budget I wouldn't foresee it) For ADOS-AC the process is all based on current Active Duty Drill Sergeant strength/authorizations. DS strength needs to fall below a certain point in order for TRADOC to allow RC DS's to be on ADOS-AC. These tours are typically 365 day PCS tours which poses a challenge for RC Soldiers due to per diem entitlements not being authorized. Tour of Duty is the primary tool we utilize to bring Drill Sergeants on any type of orders. There are rare instances where leadership will ask Soldiers if they would be willing to volunteer however the official postings for positions can be found on TOD.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 4 at 2016 10:45 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 May 2016 10:45:44 -0400

I've tried everything. Using COC didn't work. All the way up to division. I was told NO every single time. Pretty messed up if you ask me. I believe the Reserves just want that number. They can say we have this many drill sergeants. Yet they don't use us. It's very upsetting.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2018 6:02 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 18:02:10 -0500

Did you have any luck finding an assignment at Benning?
I am also wanting at least a year long assignment. It had been said to that it would be easy to find an assignment as there is a need for female DS, especially at Benning. But no luck yet. I would rather switch back to active duty and serve DS time at Benning but my reserve unit won't release me. My only hope now is finding a unit. I'm really eager to hit the trail full time rather than twice a week, once a year...

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2021 7:08 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Jul 2021 19:08:16 -0400

You might get some good tips here. Seek and you will receive. I screened once for "why not" reasons out West. All went well, until the female shrink LCMDR interview. "How many Recruits can you fit in a dumpster"? I Replied in humor "Sliced, diced, or cubed?". Interview over. No sense of humor in late 80s. Went to WOBC instead.