What is the rank in which a Soldier may submit their packets for Drill Sergeant?

2016-07-30T12:58:58-04:00

Im just looking for general information. I do not meet time in service requirements but I am having a hard time determining what the earliest rank to drop packets is. At one point I know female DS packets could be dropped at the E4 (P) level due to low female DS retention rates- but I don't think that's still the case. My command thinks it may be E5 (P) but we still have no validation.

Response by SSG William Jones made Jul 30 at 2016 1:13 PM

2016-07-30T13:13:41-04:00

It was E-5 (P) as I recall for males, but I've been out a while so I could be wrong. LTC William Smith

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jul 30 at 2016 3:35 PM

2016-07-30T15:35:59-04:00

13) Be SGT through SFC (SGT must have a minimum of 1 year time in grade and be a graduate of the WLC prior to nomination) (not applicable to USAR/ARNGUS Soldiers nor to DS school 1SG positions).

That is the current listed prerequisite on the tray dog drill sergeant school site

http://jackson.armylive.dodlive.mil/about/armyschools/usadss/preparing-for-the-ds-course/

H are C may have a business rule that allows an E4 P that meets all other requirements to submit a packet for consideration in advance I'm attending the required rank ask that question of HRC

Preparing for the Drill Sergeant Course | Fort Jackson

In order to fully prepare for your attendance at the Drill Sergeant Course, we recommend you view thedownloads below. Please pay special attention to the recommended packing list and the optional equipment list.

Response by CSM William Payne made Jul 30 at 2016 4:11 PM

2016-07-30T16:11:01-04:00

SPC Wetherby,

Unless things have changed since I retired in 2014 you are correct that to apply for Drill Sergeant School you must be a SGT(P) and must also be a graduate of the WLC. Also, there is always a need for female Drill Sergeants. With the exception of some required billets such as in Infantry OSUT (One Stop Unit Training) as at Fort Benning for example, being a Drill Sergeant is MOS nonspecific.

The requirements to become a Drill Sergeants are high and deservingly so. It's a huge responsibility to turn civilians into Soldiers. You train Soldiers of all components; Active, Guard and Reserve. Having said that, being a Drill Sergeant is one of the best steps you can take for promotion, especially as deployment opportunities are starting to decline. If you spend any time around NCOs at the highest level, just look to see how many wear the pumpkin patch.

There is a two-year obligation to serve as Drill Sergeant once you have completed the course, with the option of being extended for a year, in most cases to serve as a Drill Sergeant Leader at the Drill Sergeant School. After you have completed your tour you will be returned to duty in your career field.

There is a link for the Drill Sergeant School on face back. AR 614-200 is also a resource on Drill Sergeant Requirements. But there is a link on the Drill Sergeant School Facebook page for the Drill Sergeant Branch at HRC which is a great place for you to start to get your questions answered.

https://www.facebook.com/USADSS/?fref=ts

http://jackson.armylive.dodlive.mil/about/armyschools/usadss/

Good luck in whatever you decide to do and thank you for your service to your country.

“This We’ll Defend, Army Strong and Soldier For Life”

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Response by Capt Tom Brown made Jul 30 at 2016 10:12 PM

2016-07-30T22:12:55-04:00

SPC Private RallyPoint Member Sounds like you are getting some good advice already. Best wishes in achieving your goal of becoming a DS. That is a very high mark and something to be proud of.

Response by Cpl Glynis Sakowicz made Jul 31 at 2016 11:49 AM

2016-07-31T11:49:33-04:00

Oye... now if you'd chosen the Marines, you'd be grabbed for the Drill Field without submitting a darn thing. Used to drive upper ranks nuts at times, seeing a great Marine with amazing potential to be at the top of their field, and orders would suddenly appear yanking them to Parris Island or San Diego.
If this is what you want, then I wish you all the best, and I do hope you get the answer you want! We need good leaders to form good troops.

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Aug 1 at 2016 5:17 PM

2016-08-01T17:17:26-04:00

SFC Leesa Parris Do you know the answer to this?

Response by SSG Richard Stevens made Aug 2 at 2016 6:30 AM

2016-08-02T06:30:59-04:00

You have to be an E5 to be a Drill Sergeant

Response by PV2 Kenneth Booth made Aug 2 at 2016 9:10 AM

2016-08-02T09:10:08-04:00

It is E-5 I've never seen an E-4P as a Drill but Ive seen plenty of E-5 and E-6's.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2016 10:50 AM

2016-08-02T10:50:48-04:00

For all of you questions go to: https://www.hrc.army.mil/Enlisted/Drill%20Sergeant%20Team. The reference (for your unit's edification) is AR 614-200. Section III covers the Drill Sergeant Program. Paragraph 8-14 covers prerequisites. As an OSUT Battalion Commander, in the Reserves (which is a little different), I was able to approve E-4 (P) (who we appointed to CPL) to attend DS School. In the Regular Army (see subparagraph 14)...(14) Have a minimum of 4 years total active Federal Service. Sergeant candidates must also have a minimum of 1 year time in grade and have 2 years service remaining after the completion of DS duty.

HRC Homepage

Toll-Free: 1-888-ARMY-HRC (1-888-276-9472) DSN: 983-9500 askhrc.army@us.army.mil

Response by CPL Timothy Towler II made Aug 2 at 2016 11:39 AM

2016-08-02T11:39:34-04:00

It used to be E-4 (P) for males as well and you could be on the trail at E-5. Now you have to be E-5 (p) with a year. Think hard about dropping your packet. Drill sergeants are probably the hardest working men and women in the Army. I imagine it has to also be the most rewarding experience as well.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2016 2:13 PM

2016-08-02T14:13:38-04:00

Are you looking at an RC course that extends out to 6 or 12 months? Their requirements may be different / waiverable, and may require that you be eligible for E-5 upon graduation. When I graduated from DS school we had 3 or 4 graduates whose promotion orders had not come thru... they did not get to don their hats at graduation which was rather unfortunate.

Response by SPC Kevin Busto made Aug 2 at 2016 7:43 PM

2016-08-02T19:43:59-04:00

Things have changed a great deal since the 80's. I was an E4P, been in three years, got a 100% on my SQT. Out of curiosity, I asked about Drill School at One Stop. The SGM said he would get me in drill school and promote me to E5 on the spot. Really tempting, but I decided to go home. Good choice, met the wife at college, just celebrated 30 years of marriage.

Response by MSG Don Burt made Aug 2 at 2016 8:10 PM

2016-08-02T20:10:22-04:00

The only way a E4 could be selected for DS School was if he had orders for promo to E5 while in school and could be waived, but E5 was required to attend DS School....

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2016 3:13 PM

2016-08-03T15:13:21-04:00

I think you have to be at least a Corporal.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 4 at 2016 12:04 AM

2016-08-04T00:04:33-04:00

E4 promotable, but your unit can do a 4187 to pin you as a corporal. Then when you get back drop a packet (reserves) get picked up as an E5 and you can where your DS HAT AND HIT THE TRAIL.

I KNOW THIS BECAUSE when i went to DS school they thought i was an E4 IN the system. Clearly I was an E5 BUCK SGT..

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2016 9:36 AM

2016-08-05T09:36:32-04:00

SGT. They prefer SSGs and SFCs though.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2016 9:38 AM

2016-08-05T09:38:17-04:00

I would also recommend thinking about reclassify to a Combat arms MOS. You, as a young future NCO will be successful. Now is the time.

Response by SPC Jonathan Packard made Aug 14 at 2016 6:52 PM

2016-08-14T18:52:18-04:00

Do 13 B training at Ft. Sill? Have fun...