Who was your Drill Sergeant/Drill Instructor in Basic Training?

2015-06-05T02:36:37-04:00

Do you remember your Drill Sergeant, if not by name, could you describe his/her impact on training you, the mannerisms, the pet peeves, the swagger?

The impact of direct leadership during your earliest days in service help form the type of service member you will be throughout your career. That direct leadership changes very little as you progress. The more senior you become in service, the more distance you have between you and your immediate leadership however, that direct leader has a huge impact in shaping (mentoring) you. So, who was that Drill Sergeant/Drill Instructor and how that leadership impacted your career?

Response by SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA made Jun 5 at 2015 2:45 AM

2015-06-05T02:45:44-04:00

They tried and succeeded in turning me into a fine soldier.

But their language skills...

SSG Hall was exceptional though. The man was in his 50's but he would run us into the ground and outpush-up our 300+ studs..

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 3:52 AM

2015-06-05T03:52:45-04:00

SSG Bertram and SGT Bryant summer of 1981. Without a doubt they're both retired by now.

I was split option. The next summer at AIT it was SFC Easters and SSG Gray.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 4:11 AM

2015-06-05T04:11:37-04:00

CSM Michael J. Uhlig, my Drill Sergeant was DS Jimenez, an Infantryman (pictured above). Even though he scared the daylights out of me, I only had the utmost respect for him. His military bearing and appearance were always on point. I can't even repeat many of the words he used, but he taught us a lot about combat, maintaining integrity, being reliable, being a good battle buddy, how being a Blue Falcon would always come back to bite us in the A, and that accountability is critical in the Army. When it came to corrective training, OH CRAP... all I can say is that he's the most creative NCO I've ever known.

He told us every day how F'ed up we were and that he hated our guts, but near the end, I started to doubt that he hated us as much as he claimed. He showed us what right looked like for 18 hours a day, every day including weekends. I'm pretty sure he never slept. I got my standards from him, and I owe all of my success in the Army to him.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 6:29 AM

2015-06-05T06:29:34-04:00

While I know my Drill Sergeant's name, I still will never say it as he never allowed us to. He was just "4th Platoon Drill Sergeant." We even had that put on our shirts with the names of everyone in the platoon at the end of Basic. He thought that if we said his name it would make us think he was our friend. He is the most professional Soldier I have met and was outstanding at his job. I will never forget him or his lessons. The best was when he found out I was an officer candidate and had me memorize the NCO Creed because "NCOs run the Army, not Officers."

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 7:02 AM

2015-06-05T07:02:17-04:00

It was 2008 and I was at Relaxin' Jackson having a fine and dandy time earning smoking sessions from the rest of my battle buddies. I had 3 DSs: Hodges, Brown, and Rasmussen. Each DS had his own leadership style, but it's DS Brown I remember the most. He never yelled. When he talked, we all shut up'd and listened. He gave orders and we executed. No yelling. Not in your face. Very confident, combat experienced, E-7. That's the type of NCO I want to become.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Jun 5 at 2015 7:15 AM

2015-06-05T07:15:06-04:00

My Drill Instructor would be impossible to forget. I had the same SDI (who was unforgettable too) and one of my two DI remained the same. The second one changed a few times for unknown reasons, I think health but not sure.

He was one of the most twisted, sadistic people I ever met. He taught me to get smart, fast. Move quickly, with purpose. Think fast, be ready, always. Precision was the only acceptable outcome, whether that was close order drill or marksmanship or squaring away the barracks. If you went outside the lines, the price was pretty heavy. His job was to make Marines in 13 weeks. Not easy.

I wasn't a career Marine but the lessons learned from Parris Island follow me to this day. I also learned a lot from other NCO's and Officers as I progressed. Parris Island is an indoctrination and can be brutal at times but they have to take an 18 year old civilian and turn him into a basically trained Marine, quickly.

I remember to this day going to the Confidence course for the first time and seeing him grab a rope in each hand and climb to the top with no use of his feet (no knots in the rope). Just hand over hand. I thought, holy sh%&, that guy is an animal.

Fear is a great motivator. He used it like a craftsman. He got more out of me than I thought I might have in short order. He also had a pretty good right cross.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 8:13 AM

2015-06-05T08:13:42-04:00

SSG De la Pena is one of the most professional NCOs that I have came across so far. He honestly had a way to teach and instruct that no one else did. I seemed to have learned more in just his blocks of instruction than in all of Basic Training. The little informal bits of information he said throughout the day made a huge difference in my development as a soldier.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jun 5 at 2015 8:33 AM

2015-06-05T08:33:13-04:00

SSG Monte Jeffson (CSM Retired), and I recently reconnected with him on Facebook. We also had SFC Jensen, and she was a terrorist; I think SSG Jeffson left the trail... 19 weeks of OSUT... SSG Thomas was also there as a turtle; I ran into him as a CPT at the Advance Course, and he was a 1SG. He said he remembered me.... But I know he did not. SSG Thomas taught us how to spit shine our Jump Boots... CSM Michael J. Uhlig

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jun 5 at 2015 8:43 AM

2015-06-05T08:43:00-04:00

SSgt Fabini was our Senior DI. I ran into him at the Chow Hall in SOI (up the street from Horno where I was stationed) shortly after I pinned on Cpl. He had pinned on GySgt, and spotted me. He said "Kennedy?!? I'm not great with names, but I never forget one of my guys!" We sat down and chatted for a few minutes.

The USMC is BIG on leadership, and our DIs are shining examples.

Response by CSM Michael Lynch made Jun 5 at 2015 9:11 AM

2015-06-05T09:11:42-04:00

Oh yes you could never forget SFC Baker, the meanest, shell shocked Vietnam Vet in our quad. You knew where you stood with him, he hated every recruit equally. His training style made you pay attention for everything you were doing. Sometimes you thought he would kill you with a stare and you never wanted to be on the receiving end of his tongue whip lashings. He taught you from day one who was in charge and what he wanted you to do.

The difference between him and the other DI's in the QUAD is that he would give you a grim faced 'great job' when we would beat other platoons at tasks etc, but would also give you the same grim faced "stare and that isn't going to cut it" if we failed.

We were never more pleased that we had him during training though, when about 1/2 way through BCT at about 0130 in the morning we heard whistles blowing all around us in the quads. Every other platoon but ours was being awakened and forced to carry their mattresses up and down stairs every time the whistle blew, this went on for hours we went back to sleep during this exercise. SFC Baker came in at 0500 woke us all up and at formation he just smiled and said "understand what happens when privates don't listen and think they are smarter than Drills? " You can bet we did on graduation, he took a couple of minutes with every Soldier in the formation congratulating them on becoming a Soldier and actually talked with us as more of a human being than GI property. I'll never forget him and appreciate all he did to start my career correctly Salutes SFC Baker

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 9:34 AM

2015-06-05T09:34:25-04:00

DS Thompson,gave me hell but was funny just as much as the hell he gave! Showed us what the true standard of what a soldier should be ! From our P.C to the boots..

"My uniform is to the standard,my mustache is to the standard,YOU are not to the standard! But I will get you there! Now get your ass in the front leaning rest"-DS Thompson

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jun 5 at 2015 10:16 AM

2015-06-05T10:16:10-04:00

I had three, I can "see" all three,, but I remember DS Fountain.....In fact I remembered him so well, I emulated his leadership when I became a DS many years later.
Calm, until it was time to not be calm... letting others do the screaming daily. ..
Never mad, but sometimes disappointed.
Never abusive, but bringing pain as behaviour modification tool was a known result from intentionally being a dumb ass private in training. (So not an honest mistake while learning D&C, but sneaking food into the barracks, pointing a loaded rifle at other than down range.... sleeping in a "hidden" place while others do the work detail...ect ect ect.. willfully with intent screw ups... oh ya, bring it..

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 10:44 AM

2015-06-05T10:44:39-04:00

SFC Cooper
SSG Guerra
SSG Reed
1st PLT E Co 2/47th IN
"Roughnecks"

They formed the basis for the Soldier I am today. All three were great mentors and teachers; some of the best I have ever met.

Response by SP5 Joel O'Brien made Jun 5 at 2015 10:47 AM

2015-06-05T10:47:56-04:00

I don't recall his name but here's what I won't for get about him. I got hurt(knee injury) at the rifle range and he said I could go on sick call after we hiked back to the company. I went on night sick call, wound up with a ankle-to-hip cast on my leg and got sent to a profile platoon. His last words to me as he was signing me out of the company: "Too bad you screwed up!"

Response by SFC Maury Gonzalez made Jun 5 at 2015 11:31 AM

2015-06-05T11:31:31-04:00

Sfc kolchings, ssg reyes, sfc k got assigned to unit and got to clear him

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 11:43 AM

2015-06-05T11:43:43-04:00

You always remember the ones that made the biggest impacts, huh?
Sometimes, it is not the best one. I'll just say, this female Drill made my life a living hell, while performing WAY underneath the means of a Drill Sergeant. She would fall out of the runs, make me take the lead. I was the platoons 1sgt, so I get that I was responsible for the Joe's in my unit. What I didn't get, was the constant bickering about total bullshit. And then when we actually did deploy to a war zone, she was making us run around the compound and calling out cadence. If we didn't, we were going to get wrote up. Wasn't until I brought it up to the 1sgt, then it was stopped immediately. I mean, seriously. Then the constant picking because of something that happened in AIT that was very personal. She ended up being relieved of her duties in Iraq. She was the most horrible person I have ever met in my entire life. I will never forget her and how she taught me HOW NOT TO BE!!!

Response by SGT Kevin Brown made Jun 5 at 2015 11:51 AM

2015-06-05T11:51:02-04:00

I hate to admit it, but I don't remember any of their names, my memory sucks. As far as their impact though I do remember their actions. Looking back I am very thankful for the DS I had (though at the time I thought I had met the meanest people on the face of the earth). I joined right after 9/11 and our DSs stressed our training as life dependent whenever possible. They went above and beyond to make sure every recruit understood everything, even if it meant extra hours, breaking it down dummy style or dropping the DS attitude and explaining it on the level. They took there jobs very seriously, always remained professional and spoke directly and honestly.

A year after boot camp I found my boots kicking dirt in Afghanistan. During one patrol mission we partnered up with 10th Mountain and I found myself as the gunner in the lead vehicle. When I walked up for the mission briefing and meet the members of my truck (the 10th Mountain guys rolling with us), I froze when I realized one of them was a former DS of mine. He didn't recognize me personally, but started laughing when he saw my posture and expression, identifying that I must have been one of his recruits when he was on the trail. We ended up sharing quit a few great stories and I quickly realized then how much of the DS attitude is a show. I thanked him for his dedication to our training as that training on more then one occasion saved my life or the life of one of my brothers.

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made Jun 5 at 2015 1:00 PM

2015-06-05T13:00:52-04:00

SSG Charles Baker was my DS, assisted by SGT Johnson and SSG Swinnie. Of the three, SSG Swinnie was the most influential and mentor-like. HE"s the type of DS I wanted to be when I grew up. I tried contacting them all when I made State Soldier of the Year, very shortly after I graduated, but never heard. I actually had fantasies of returning to Ft Sill as a DS or 1SG, hoping to at least visit my old OSUT unit. Nope, that didn't happen either. MAYBE I'll get one of two last wishes - one is to put my campaign hat back on, the other is to execute a fire mission.

Response by SSG John Erny made Jun 5 at 2015 1:04 PM

2015-06-05T13:04:59-04:00

SFC Hue Green and SGT Earl Coder. I suspect that SGT Coder still hates me to this day. He had a hangup over my last name, at times I would get smoked for that alone. SFC Green was funny, he like to tell jokes.

Response by CSM William DeWolf made Jun 5 at 2015 2:06 PM

2015-06-05T14:06:06-04:00

Now this was a while back but, there are those that you just can't forget. SSG Alicia, who wore mirrored sun glasses whether day or night! This was at Ft. Dix and, what I remember most, was his statement to us prior to moving to AIT Infantry. "You think you had it tough here? Wait until you get to Ft. Polk! Tiger Land, Home of the Infantry Soldier." What a piece of work he was! I learned to deal with each challenge as an opportunity for growth and advancement. Polk was a challenge.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 2:16 PM

2015-06-05T14:16:13-04:00

CSM Michael J. Uhlig I have a better question, how many have found their Drill Sergeant here on Rally Point? I did with 1SG Private RallyPoint Member I even found the Supply SGT for my BCT SGT Private RallyPoint Member.

Response by SPC Americo Garcia made Jun 5 at 2015 2:21 PM

2015-06-05T14:21:40-04:00

I had two sets long story and messed up the way it happened. I feel for them for they are what made me a stronger Marine. My First Senior Drill Instructor Staff SGT Eescarsega, SGT Feezer, Sgt Besser, Sgt Williams, Staff SGT White. till second phase then something fucked it all up some Protestant lay reader got a hold of the training Manuel somehow and accused those Marines of abuse. Staff Sgt White, would be the only one that stayed afterwards. Sgt Hernandez, I was on his quarterdeck many a time. I was a diet recruit lol! Senior Drill Instructor Staff Sgt Keele the first Marine to tell me that I had something better than Honor, Courage, and Commitment. It was Heart. I did not see any abuse the enemy will never be as kind by any means. I enjoyed it and think we need to leave the training as it was. Investigate yes but there was only one abuse that I saw Sgt Williams kicking the living shit out of a recruit who would leave MCT due to medical conditions caused by that Sgt. Other than that the occasional yelling and shit was tolerable to me.

Response by SGT James Allen made Jun 5 at 2015 2:28 PM

2015-06-05T14:28:49-04:00

I don't want to talk about it. :-)
I won't name names (they might still be watching me), but they were pretty tough.
Like many of you, we were up at 3am every day, and never hit the rack until 11pm. They were there when I went to sleep, and they were there when I woke up. I don't know how they did it.
I hated them then, but I have a lot of respect for them now. I'd buy them a beer if I ran into them, except for the one that kicked me in the head while I was doing push-ups. I'll buy him whiskey.

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Jun 5 at 2015 4:09 PM

2015-06-05T16:09:53-04:00

Mine was SSgt Harriet McFadden. And I'd still try my utmost to kick open the gates of Hades if she told me to.

I tried to emulate her example of leadership. Cool and professional in both public view and private. She had a way of speaking barely above a whisper when we messed up that made us feel like we were only about 1" tall but could be heard on the far side of the base when praising us for finally getting something perfect.

She tried to mold each of us into quiet professionals whatever our final job code was to be. Hopefully, I haven't disappointed her overly much.

Response by CPL Donald White made Jun 5 at 2015 5:08 PM

2015-06-05T17:08:52-04:00

Oh, remember them BOTH, very well. Names and personalities. The platoon Sergeant [E-7] tried to throw me out of the Army, in fact. Didn't know this at the time, but the other one [E-6] told me on Graduation Day. I not only appreciated (and still do, appreciate) him for giving me a fair chance, but know that the first one would have found a way to do it, had he not had to go to Master Fitness School during our cycle! :-( Was I a 'bad' soldier? Not according to the 2nd-in-command Drill. It seemed like the first one decided he didn't 'like' me from day 1. Very unprofessional, in retrospect. A (good) leader must be impartial, despite any (personal) likes or dislikes/personalities!

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 9:09 PM

2015-06-05T21:09:36-04:00

I wish that I could track them down... :)

Fort Jackson, 1991.
-SFC Garcia: used to call us a "bunch of b*tches and eat cockroaches
-SSG McCann: used to listen to Lynard Skynard REALLLLYYY loudly when we trying to sleep
-SSG Panapa: HUGE Samoan gentleman that barely spoke but would run past the marching formation with his ruck and SFC Garcia on his back O_o
-SSG Tucker: had a moustache (he came in late in the cycle)

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2015 5:09 AM

2015-06-07T05:09:12-04:00

Yes, I remember and will always remember my drill sergeants especially DS Westley. He was the one I looked up to the most. Even though all the drill sergeants in the other platoon thought we wouldn't succeed. They had faith in us and smoked us more than any other platoon. I'm successful because of him. My other 2 drill sergeants DS Elliot, DS Grui. I still remember other DS in the company but I still wonder why the 1SG used to alway come and talk to me. I think it was because I was a handful coming from the ghetto of California and they seen potential. First time they seen me I was sagging in BDUs lol. The 1SG was 1SG Wints hopefully I spelled that right. C 82nd Chemical BN (OSUT) January 2000-June 2000.

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Jun 7 at 2015 7:28 AM

2015-06-07T07:28:03-04:00

SSG Maxwell Henry. Fort Knox, KY 1984. I still walk like he did and use some of his stories when I talk to my kids.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2015 8:22 AM

2015-06-07T08:22:28-04:00

DS Hagwood and DS Green

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2015 6:49 PM

2015-06-07T18:49:27-04:00

DS Munoz, DS Pena, DS Garza and SDS Stratton. A Co 2-19 IN. Feb - May 2008. I learned a great deal about professionalism, applying common sense, and sucking it up and completing the mission, regardless of how hard or tough.

Response by SFC Harry Fox made Jun 8 at 2015 1:54 PM

2015-06-08T13:54:43-04:00

Drill Sergeant Stroud

Response by MSgt Gayle Litton Jr. made Jun 11 at 2015 1:39 PM

2015-06-11T13:39:28-04:00

Sgt John F. Kennedy. 3706 BMTS in 1991.

Response by CSM Felipe Mendez made Jun 11 at 2015 9:54 PM

2015-06-11T21:54:39-04:00

I joined the Army 0n 7/7/77.. My drill sergeant were SFC Perez and SGT Alexander. Both were great leaders, SGT Alexander was tough and straight forward, but fair. Drill Sergeant Perez was mission oriented, training focus and a disciplinarian. They mold us to become great soldiers/leaders. I got the chance to see SFC Perez later on and got the opportunity to thanks for his leadership and dedication. Being from a very strict home, my drill sergeant were like heaven send. I knew that they scream but were not allow to hit, unlike my home, my mom scream and hit at the same time. She had a tremendous coordination and never lost rhythm during the AS(&(*()* whopping. SFC Perez and SGT Alexander direct me to what end up being a great 31 years military career. Thanks, CSM Mendez (RET)

Response by CW2(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2015 5:51 PM

2015-06-21T17:51:49-04:00

I remember one was a white male 6'5" mech inf, another was a 5'7" thin light inf, the third was a black female mp fresh out of drill school. I was older so they had no impact on me.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 7 at 2015 1:21 PM

2015-07-07T13:21:45-04:00

Chief Petty Officer Hall and Petty Officer Second Class Carney.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jul 7 at 2015 1:21 PM

2015-07-07T13:21:45-04:00

Roger that - SGT Briggs

Response by TSgt Kevin Buccola made Jul 7 at 2015 1:21 PM

2015-07-07T13:21:56-04:00

Yes I do TSgt Olsen and TSgt Wiley - 3708BMTS

Response by SSG Gerhard S. made Jul 7 at 2015 1:22 PM

2015-07-07T13:22:09-04:00

Drill Sgt's Van Holten, and Tilo

Response by SFC Joseph Bosley made Jul 7 at 2015 1:22 PM

2015-07-07T13:22:26-04:00

SGT Harris!!

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2015 1:23 PM

2015-07-07T13:23:07-04:00

Drill SGT's McKinley and Aleyne and for AIT it was Drill SGT Krueger.

Response by SGT Sarah Hoyt made Jul 7 at 2015 1:24 PM

2015-07-07T13:24:20-04:00

SSG Hunter. He was shorter than I was, talked with a lisp, and was TERRIFYING.

Response by SPC Chris Early made Jul 7 at 2015 1:24 PM

2015-07-07T13:24:26-04:00

SSG Provost, SSG Willey and SFC Harrison

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2015 1:25 PM

2015-07-07T13:25:25-04:00

Senior Drill Sgt, Sfc Roffmen, At Fort Sill

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2015 1:27 PM

2015-07-07T13:27:29-04:00

2nd Plt, C Co, 5th BN, 10th INF REG....SSG Lopez, SSG Terrance Murphy (CSM Murphy of the Engineer School House), and SFC Grove.

Response by SPC Herman Lamb made Jul 7 at 2015 1:27 PM

2015-07-07T13:27:53-04:00

Drill Sgt Wayne

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jul 7 at 2015 1:36 PM

2015-07-07T13:36:33-04:00

SFC Richard DesLauriers was my BCT Drill Sergeant, CSM Michael J. Uhlig. He was platoon sergeant for 1st Platoon of D-3-1 at Fort Jackson (Tank Hill), SC. BCT began 11NOV69 and ended 16JAN70. Extraordinary man and NCO, he utilized the concept of mentoring before the Army formalized the process. Comparatively quiet for a drill sergeant, he was worthy of emulation, and set many young soldiers, including me, on the right path.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2015 1:36 PM

2015-07-07T13:36:39-04:00

I have to respond in the negative. In this day and age, I can hardly remember what I had for lunch yesterday. I wish I could, I would include him in my prayers at night. My drill sergeant, my TAC Officer in OCS, my mom and dad shaped me. Not necessarily in that order.

Response by CPL(P) Bret Farritor made Jul 7 at 2015 1:40 PM

2015-07-07T13:40:29-04:00

SSG Copowitz, although I am sure that is nowhere close to how it is actually spelled. Alpha Company, 5th Battalion, 10th Infantry Regiment @ FLW in October 1989.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jul 7 at 2015 1:40 PM

2015-07-07T13:40:55-04:00

Senior Drill Instructor Gunnery Sergeant Greenfield
Drill Instructor SSG Schliesman
Drill Instructor SSG Redfearn
Drill Instructor SGT Martin

Response by SSG Willis Baker made Jul 7 at 2015 1:42 PM

2015-07-07T13:42:57-04:00

I don't have a clue, that was 42 years ago. All I remember about my DI is he was fat and during formation on the company street, he would lean up against the window sill and bark instructions. His pet pea was, when he called someone to the front of the platoon, they had to crawl like a worm. E-7-2. Ft. Jackson. '73-'74.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jul 7 at 2015 1:46 PM

2015-07-07T13:46:12-04:00

BTC JB Jones. Had a way of slapping your feet in the rack with a yardstick that was more painful than physics allow. Like lightning, you didn't want to hear and feel it at the same time. That was 44 years ago.

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Jul 7 at 2015 1:48 PM

2015-07-07T13:48:38-04:00

CoC 1-3d BCT Bde Apr- Jun 66 49 years ago
CPT McKenna S. Mahoney , Cdr
1SG Gilette
SSG Bleach, Supply SGT
SSG Emer Brackin 4th Plt, My DS
SFC Pearl O. Mason Sr DS
SFC Dellinger 1st Plt DS
SFC Willie Mason 2d Plt DS
SSG Kane 3d Plt DS
SSG Craddock 5th Plt DS
SGT Berres, SGT Brown, CPL Korndorfer, SFC Turrella

All from memory........you never forget!

SSG Elmer Brackin, a Korean Ve

Response by LTJG Robert M. made Jul 7 at 2015 2:29 PM

2015-07-07T14:29:59-04:00

BMC Campos! USCG boot camp company B-117, 1978.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Jul 7 at 2015 2:38 PM

2015-07-07T14:38:47-04:00

This was only about 6-7 years ago, but mine was Staff Sgt. Michael Shoup.

Response by SPC Candace Leach made Jul 7 at 2015 2:53 PM

2015-07-07T14:53:39-04:00

MCRD Parris Island, SC
4th Bn November Co Plt. 4035 Aug 12, 2003.

Senior Drill Instructor SSgt. Denizard-Pabon
Drill Instructor Sgt. Martin
Drill Instructor Sgt. Haskins - Hall
Drill Instructor Sgt. Camp
Drill Instructor Sgt. Rosen

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Jul 7 at 2015 3:15 PM

2015-07-07T15:15:41-04:00

DS Gardner and DS Richardson, shown in the picture, later DS Roby replaced DS Gardner.

Response by SGT Robert Hawks made Jul 7 at 2015 3:21 PM

2015-07-07T15:21:12-04:00

SSG Peepers and SGT Nash 4th Platoon A 2-3 Fort Dix NJ 1984.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2015 4:24 PM

2015-07-07T16:24:48-04:00

DS Stone
DS Chambers
DS Byrd

Ft. Jackson, SC, B Co 3-34 - 2008

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2015 6:16 PM

2015-07-07T18:16:31-04:00

SFC Williams, and SSG Mendoza. We had a 3rd DS, but we maybe saw him 2-3 times the whole cycle.

Response by PO2 Peter Klein made Jul 7 at 2015 6:22 PM

2015-07-07T18:22:08-04:00

Can't remember his name. He was a first class petty officer at NTC San Diego. We were his last company before retirement. He had a short timer's attitude. Not your typical experience. I was kind of disappointed.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2015 8:13 PM

2015-07-07T20:13:58-04:00

SSG Linder.

I vaguely remember my male drill sergeants--I can hardly even remember some of their names, but....SSG Linder....her name will be forever imprinted on my mind.

...I can still remember that one time she entered our sleeping bay.

Her eyes met mine, all the way across the room, and I stood there, in a dumbfounded stupor--completely forgetting my most basic and fundamental PVT/BCT trainee responsibility to yell "at ease" when a NCO entered the room.

I distinctly recall her darting like a rocket from the other end of the bay....it took her seemingly only a fraction of a second to cover that ground.

She could have put Usain Bolt to shame.

Seriously.

I don't remember everything she said, but, let's just say, I never forgot to say "at ease" when a NCO walked into a room again.

I believe I lost a few pounds that day, as well (on account of the smoking I received).

Her image is permanently imprinted in my mind.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2015 8:34 PM

2015-07-07T20:34:39-04:00

Drill Sergeant Huges. He was "hot," (just kidding) He made push-ups seem so easy. I remember all the half-truths my DS told me. Half-truths such as, dying in the gas chamber, hot sauce makes privates untrainable, if you fall out of a run you get kicked out of the Army, Drill Sergeants know more that your mother, and the Army is not fun, it is all work. What I remember the most my Drill Sergeant said that the Soldier will eventually lead and will be remembered for the dumb shit the leader says or the outstanding things the leader does.

JW

Response by SSG Melvin Nulph made Jul 7 at 2015 8:53 PM

2015-07-07T20:53:50-04:00

Only because of a book I bought way back then :)

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2015 12:38 AM

2015-07-08T00:38:09-04:00

I remember most of them but I'll share the most colorful one- DS Nagel, Fort Knox, 3rd Platoon, Bravo 5/15, summer 2004. He offered taxi money to anyone considering going AWOL (then said he'd see the words "No pay due" on his next LES), told us he might come to work in the Nazi uniform he acquired while stationed in Germany. While in Somalia he earned a meritorious promotion to PFC for coming to the aide of his CO- he was the CO's driver, some Somali guys pulled him out of the passenger seat and started beating on him. DS Nagel ran to the other side of the vehicle and used his M-16 to butt-stroke one of them.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2015 1:01 AM

2015-07-08T01:01:32-04:00

SFC Flynn, he told us Privates do you see this blue chord I have to wear on my hat? They make me where this distinction because I killed a private last cycle

Response by SPC Carson S. made Jul 8 at 2015 7:16 AM

2015-07-08T07:16:50-04:00

DS Pearson: Never took his tinted BCGs off, even at night. Talk about psychological warfare. Tough, intimidating, and fair. He inspired me to push my limits, to find out what I was really capable of. He was always serious, always yelling, but he also made sure to point out when you did something right.

DS Morales: My platoon was having a really bad day. We just could not get anything right, and we were fighting amongst ourselves. DS Morales took us up to the bay and sparred a couple rounds with a few of the guys who thought they were really tough, just to show us some of the moves we would learn during combatives training. He didn't yell (anymore than a DS should), but instead gave us something to look forward to.

DS Sobukwe: Originally from the Caribbean, DS Sobukwe was a very chill guy. He took the time to really get to know us as individual soldiers, to not yell at us unless we REALLY needed it, and taught me that humor does have a place in the military (not all the time, but enough to where things do not always have to be serious).

Response by SSG Joseph Leckie made Jul 8 at 2015 8:42 AM

2015-07-08T08:42:35-04:00

SSG Jones

Response by SGT Joe Sabedra made Jul 8 at 2015 8:52 AM

2015-07-08T08:52:37-04:00

SFC Collet and SSG Smith.
2nd Platoon A-3
Ft Sill Ok. 1982-83

Response by SFC Aaron G. made Jul 8 at 2015 9:21 AM

2015-07-08T09:21:27-04:00

Ft. Leonard Wood, MO 06/2003 - 10/2003 MP OSUT
B Co. 795th MP Bn - Bravo Bulldogs
Senior Drill Sergeant - SFC Hess
2nd Platoon - Wolverines
SSG King
SSG Jones
SSG Brake
SSG Johnson

Response by SSG John Jensen made Jul 9 at 2015 2:38 AM

2015-07-09T02:38:00-04:00

SSG Trump, Lost in the Woods BCT A-4-3 1980

Response by LTC William del Solar made Jul 9 at 2015 4:10 PM

2015-07-09T16:10:29-04:00

7th Bn, Sand Hill, Fort Benning. 1981 PSG Elipido G. Berrera, and SSG Yancey. I think he was one of the last in the Army to carry the PSG (Platoon Sergeant) rank. A strapping Soldier with a booming voice. I imagine that god would sound like him. Past drill sergeant of the year. He would spit shin his leather gloves. SSG Yancey was a former Marine. They both taught me and my platoon how to train and prepare. On Sunday, when the rest of the company was goofing off, we did dime and washer drills, or went to the HG range, etc. So that we were already prepped to learn the next weeks training. That lesson has never lost on me.

Response by SSgt Nassim Rizvi made Jul 16 at 2015 9:55 AM

2015-07-16T09:55:48-04:00

SSGT John Labrutta June 1992 Lackland AFB ----The man changed my life.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2015 8:25 AM

2015-07-25T08:25:19-04:00

SSG Bogguss, his neck was as big around as my waist! He wore black Gargoyle sunglasses and terrified me. I learned that you could be hard as nails and have fun at the same time. I also learned that although it may be unwise to enter the gas chamber a second time, esprit de corps will make you run into danger for a teammate!

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2015 11:43 AM

2015-07-29T11:43:22-04:00

A Co. 1-81 AR BN - 4th Platoon Warlords (OSUT)
Fort Knox, Kentucky
SFC Koehler
SSG Sing
SSG Willis
SSG Hook

One of them is now a MSG (SSG Sing) I saw him at Fort Lee in the commissary when I was in ALC. They taught me everything I needed to know, especially standards and how to be a good leader. The rest of them I have no clue where they at I probably won't see them again since I re-classed last Nov of 2009.

To CSM Michael J. Uhlig you were my 1SG when I was with HHC 1-36th IN Friedberg, Germany (Ray Barracks) back in 06-07. It was good seeing you here CSM Uhlig.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2015 10:41 AM

2015-08-10T10:41:17-04:00

DS's Barnes, Trevino, and Moore, 1985 Ft. Sill, Ok. DS Moore was a complete sadist who read torture technique books for fun. DS Barnes was the quiet, helpful DS. DS Trevino was a fireplug who you would never quit on. All three had their pros and cons but I can honestly say that I wouldn't be where I'm at today if it wasn't for all three of them.

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2015 12:09 PM

2015-10-27T12:09:19-04:00

A Co !st RTBn, MCRD SD
Plt 1060

SDI Sgt Quintana
DI Sgt Shelton
DI Sgt Chatlin (Currently Range Office for MCB Camp Pendleton)

Response by SGT James Carlson made Nov 4 at 2015 9:55 AM

2015-11-04T09:55:41-05:00

DI Sgt. Pinero . Short and cocky . If I saw him today I would thank him .

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Nov 18 at 2015 9:41 PM

2015-11-18T21:41:22-05:00

CSM Michael J. Uhlig His name has long escaped me; he was 'SGT Doggone'!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 23 at 2015 7:17 PM

2015-11-23T19:17:22-05:00

I remember seeking out a drill sergeant on the ACT page from AKO after graduating basic training. He was the same MOS as me (35F). When I first met him, he was an E7, my platoon's head drill sergeant. He always took the extra time to provide motivation and clear purpose and always set a great example. I plan to consult him before any major career moves.

Response by SSG John Caples made Nov 25 at 2015 8:09 PM

2015-11-25T20:09:15-05:00

Drill Sargent Swift , he had a great impact on me and my military career up until they medically retired me CSM.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2015 8:15 AM

2015-12-29T08:15:44-05:00

DS Oppedal and DS McAfee. DS Oppedal looked exactly like SGT Slaughter. He was an absolute badass. He wore his TRADOC patch and a Special Forces tab and that was it. Of course at graduation in class A uniform he had pretty much everything you could think of. To this day every time I go to a range I do EXACTLY what he taught me to do. Hasn't failed me yet. I also teach the same techniques to the soldiers I train. DS McAfee was our female drill. She was completely unpredictable. I thought she was bi-polar. One minute she's talking and teaching you good stuff and the next she was going absolutely nuts!! She LOVED D&C!! That's all we did. D&C, non stop for hours. Good times. I don't remember the third DS name cause he was clearing and getting ready to PCS so he was never around.

Response by SFC Chris Gomez made Jan 16 at 2016 6:25 PM

2016-01-16T18:25:11-05:00

DS JOHNSON

Response by SSG Floyd Stowe made Jan 18 at 2016 5:40 PM

2016-01-18T17:40:33-05:00

Richard Neville I was a neville's devil

Response by SFC Charles Miller made Feb 18 at 2016 3:03 PM

2016-02-18T15:03:52-05:00

My drill sergeant was SFC Lerma at Fort Polk in 1970

Response by MAJ David Brand made Aug 11 at 2016 8:05 AM

2016-08-11T08:05:24-04:00

I do not remember his name - but I remember him!

Response by SPC Sean Lapoint made Apr 3 at 2017 6:38 PM

2017-04-03T18:38:30-04:00

C co. 31St engineer battalion 9-88 to 12-88. SFC Bell SSG Folston SGT Schick. SFC Bell still gives me nightmares.

Response by SGT Aaron Atwood made Jun 8 at 2017 11:35 AM

2017-06-08T11:35:36-04:00

Charlie Company, 1052: Sgt Chiang, Sgt Wells, Sgt Blackburn, and two others I can't recall off the top of my head. In my graduating platoon, 3056, Lima Company: Gysgt Raynor, Gysgt Getty, Ssgt Wruble, Sgt Gamezrickli. Graduating platoon was also Honor platoon and my platoon in Charlie was the booger platoon. World of difference for boot camp experience.

Response by SFC Jim Ruether made Aug 4 at 2017 7:04 PM

2017-08-04T19:04:57-04:00

Sgt. Knuckles, Sgt. Dove, Sgt. Love, Only one of them actually comes close to describing the man who wore the name. Can you guess which one? ha ha ha

Response by SPC Mark Spivey made Aug 4 at 2017 7:55 PM

2017-08-04T19:55:49-04:00

SFC Zippler at Ft. Dix NJ 1980. SFC Zippler was an ex Marine and had the most unique cadence as any of the other DI's. We all had a hard time marching to it at first. He was by the book, hard but fair.

Response by CH (MAJ) Thomas Conner made Aug 5 at 2017 12:31 PM

2017-08-05T12:31:58-04:00

My Drill Sergeant was SSG Jorge Reyez. I was convinced he was Satan incarnate! He was from Puerto Rico (where he was a Golden Gloves Boxer!), had a very thick accent and worse of all, he stuttered! He "attacked" everything he did! He made sure he was always #1 and came in first!
The impact he made on me? Hmmm...I can still do a great impression, does that count?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2017 10:01 AM

2017-08-13T10:01:57-04:00

12B OSUT (C Co, 1st Platoon, can't remember the Brigade) Ft Leonard Wood MO, July 1992:
CPT B. Scott Hand - Short, squat guy, with a bald/shaved head. Could run endlessly for hours.
1SG LaCain - Terrifying, built like a brick wall. Huge hockey fan. Was French-Canadian I believe.
SFC Rodriguez - Wry in build and wit. Spoke with a heavy Spanish accent that he'd play up, not for comic effect but to confuse you and then smoke you for failing to understand him. Taught us how to make a ghile suit.
SSG Saunders (Sanders?) - 101 Airborne. Trained us hard, tolerated no BS, and really gave the impression that he didn't want you in the Army. Everyday was a battle with him to prove yourself.
SGT Huber - Coldest mo'fo I've ever met. Sharp blue eyes. Scary ability to focus and attention to detail. We called him Satan when he wasn't around. He once sat in a stall in the latrine pretending to be a private talking shit about the Drill Sergeants and asking about the best places to hide contraband. Followed up with the most brutal smoke session ever. I have never picked so many cherries in my life.

I credit these men with helping to shape who I am today. My successes are due in large part to the standards they held me to, and for showing me I could over come and adapt anything life would send my way. Oh, and that the RE factor of C4 is 1.34.

Response by SPC Randall Pendley made Nov 6 at 2017 5:49 PM

2017-11-06T17:49:29-05:00

7-27-77 A41 Drill Sergeant Bowington. A Vietnam Vet. And Ranger. Told us if anyone stills something for you. Go still it back from someone else. Had us go gas the other platoons. And when asked about it. We all denied it. I wouldn't even tell now. But sure he's Retired by now. And the statue of limitations should be up.

Response by SPC Sheila Lewis made Nov 6 at 2017 6:49 PM

2017-11-06T18:49:50-05:00

DS Willie Finks.

Response by SFC William Stephens made Nov 7 at 2017 9:00 AM

2017-11-07T09:00:30-05:00

I am currently writing a book called THE MIRROR and in my book I mentioned my mentors and some of them were my two Drill Sergeants. 1988 DS Johnson, DS Nicewonger, I won't say we were the best of friends but these guys made the mold to what I am today and I never forget one story from Basic or AIT. That day I shook my DS hand at graduation before I got on the bus to go home.

SAM007

Response by Sgt Peter Hill made Nov 26 at 2017 9:31 AM

2017-11-26T09:31:45-05:00

ssgt scoggin usaf lackland afb 7/80-9/80

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 28 at 2017 1:06 PM

2017-11-28T13:06:26-05:00

1993 C Company 2/28 Infantry Ft Jackson SC - SFC Angela Moody, SSG Guthrie

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 27 at 2018 12:23 AM

2018-02-27T00:23:08-05:00

1972, Drill SGT Brake E-5, was a Vietnam wounded veteran. A sniper in Vietnam 101st ABN, was bayoneted three times in the back, left for dead, but lived, and had only 1/3 of a lung left on one side. He stood tall and was, had a commanding voice, a death look on his face, and still ran backwards faster then us.
He butt stroked a recruit one day with the recruit's M-16 due to that recruit pointed his M-16 at SGT. Brake. In those days it was justified butt stroking the recruit, nothing happen to SGT. Brake, still was there for training all through basic.
I never had problems with SGT. Brake, because he only needed to tell me once, and his jump boots were always spit shined.
Everyone believed SGT. Blake when he said, "If anyone Cat Calls my wife walking by, I'll kill you!"
Some believed he was the Devil wearing a Smoky the Bear Hat, probably was. Anything close to being like Drill SGT. Brake, was very close to not getting killed in action. Salute!

Picture: Drill SGT. Brake lower left, his Smoky the Bear Hat covers his horns.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Feb 27 at 2018 12:45 AM

2018-02-27T00:45:11-05:00

I put him in a body bag in Vietnam five years later

Response by SPC William Schlosser made Mar 13 at 2018 7:38 AM

2018-03-13T07:38:58-04:00

I with my parents permission I joined the infantry on the first day of my eligibility at 17 1/2 years old, and 150 lbs. My chances for survival should there be a conflict were not good. It seemed that Drill Sgt. Wiley rode my ass every day, every minute, every extra duty, then some.I never had a day off; it was hellish.
He never pronounced my name correctly, always butchering it in some comical way that was never very funny to me.
.
Then one day, at the end of training, in a driving rain (Ft. Polk, LA.) he yelled at me from across the street, butchering my name once again... I was terrified of him. I was a white boy from Denver, he was black, pious Christian southerner, stout, disciplined, vigorous. 3 tours in Vietnam. I was terrified of him. As he butchered my name for the thousandth time, over some infraction, something in me snapped and I stood straight up at attention and sounded out my name, yelling over Drill Sgt. Wiley; "it's Schlosser! Drill Sgt!
A faint look of amusement passed over his face, then a stern smile, he then said; Schlosser! Carry on! His annunciation was perfect, and always was after that. I think I grew more on that day, than on any other of my life.
He pushed that kid hard, because he knew I had no chance at all, unless I got tough. He made me tough, and I'll never forget him; "Michael rowed the boat ashore, hallelujah! " Drill Sgt,. Wiley.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2018 5:07 PM

2018-03-18T17:07:45-04:00

SSG John Piggott and SSG Ren Williams. A 11B and 42A, respectively. Mean as hell, but in hindsight, damn good Drills. (D/2-46 IN, FKKY, 2004)

Response by SP5 Lee Jackson made Sep 20 at 2018 11:42 AM

2018-09-20T11:42:47-04:00

Ft Jackson,sc in May of 1970

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2018 3:56 PM

2018-09-20T15:56:13-04:00

All three of my Drill Sergeants had an impact, both positive and negative. I learned that NCOs were not infallible, that they were leaders in progress too. I had three DS; SFC Lawson; He was only there for a short time because he went to ANCOC and joined us later. He was my first impression of a Senior NCO. He was strict and could be unfair at times. The lesson I took from him was that standards matter and you needed to let your people know what they are; SSG Prichard, he was one of our main Drill Sergeants. He made a few mistakes along the way (he “lost” us one morning when we marched ourselves to chow) but showed me that leaders have to be flexible and use situational leadership; SSG Parkhurst, he was an ass. He wanted to be a bad-ass. But because he was “unreachable” we worked hard to make him laugh and get him to show his human side. He taught me that professionalism was as much about appearance as it was about performance. I went to Basic in 1992 at Fort Leanardwood, Echo 2/10. Good times.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2018 7:09 PM

2018-09-20T19:09:37-04:00

SFC Jack Tripp. His marksmanship instruction was amazing. Still fire in the high 30s and the things he told me to do back then still fly through my mind when I go to qualify. Still feel bad about the time he had a weekend off and we all lost our minds while he was gone. The smoking sessions lasted about a week after he returned.

Response by MSG Jacqueline Chaplin made Feb 18 at 2019 4:49 PM

2019-02-18T16:49:03-05:00

Sgt’s Parker and Herrick, Jan 1980 at Ft McClellan. Some of us missed camo face painting (due to med appts, etc.) and unfortunately Sgt Parker noticed some of us laughing upon their arrival at the Mess Hall. She told us to report to her office. When we reported, she gave us camo sticks, directed us to paint our faces and then report back. We all complied and upon dismissal I told her, thanks I always wanted to be The Hulk. LOL. Being an Army Brat, I expected Basic to be a lot of yelling. Imagine when our mornings consisted of a voice over the PA mildly saying, F Troop, time to get up. Then there was the last morning wake up with the screaming voice of Sgt Herrick. Others were going ballistic wondering what was going on, but I just had a smile on my face. Keep your sense of humor and everything will work out.

Response by SGT James Hunsinger made Feb 21 at 2019 12:52 AM

2019-02-21T00:52:35-05:00

SFC Pedro, a big Samoan that had my respect immediately and I was no small guy.

SSG Brenda Merritt, She was a bad ass and I didn't recognize her but she used to work for my father, CW3 Hunsinger in 3rd Army HQ. She didn't reveal it until graduation day when she told me to tell my Dad she said Hi.

Sgt Garrison, Short man, slight of build, big attitude and in the end a pretty damn cool guy. He found my contraband Walk-man and Def Lepard tape in my pillow case one day apparently. Didn't bust me on it but let me know he knew about it when he had CQ and asked to borrow the tape. I thought it was gone but he discreetly brought it back in the morning nd told me a better place to hide my contraband items!

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Mar 9 at 2019 12:35 PM

2019-03-09T12:35:46-05:00

SSG Ricky Bonnell. Ranger. 3rd Platoon, Echo Company, 12th MP Bn, (OSUT). Fort Mcclellan, AL 1981.

He was a great DS. I felt bad for him as he wanted to train 11B in OSUT but instead was sent to train 95B (MP) in OSUT.

But he was a fantastic leader and molded many a great soldier.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Jun 10 at 2019 7:22 AM

2019-06-10T07:22:23-04:00

A idiot.

Response by SGT Jodi WittBailey made Jul 24 at 2019 7:51 AM

2019-07-24T07:51:25-04:00

SSG Stephanie Smith, DS Broner.

Response by CPL Joe Turner made Aug 19 at 2019 9:19 PM

2019-08-19T21:19:07-04:00

Sgt Thigpen

Response by 1SG Victor Sotil made Sep 9 at 2019 12:07 PM

2019-09-09T12:07:07-04:00

CSM, I do remember very vivid SFC Randy Walker. Later on i found DS Walker as a CSM. never forget the meanest, but soft spoken drill sergeant. The impact was so great that I took a picture in his office with his hat. Funny things 10 years later I was DS in the same building and my office was the same place.
By the way CSM if you were 2ID in Mosul 2006-7 I share a ride in a helicopter.

Response by SGT Joe Downs made Sep 30 at 2019 12:48 PM

2019-09-30T12:48:04-04:00

Co. F, 2nd Bn. 1st TNG Bde. Fort Polk, LA 1974. SFC Chandler, Senior DS, Korea, Vietnam Veteran, w/CIB, Airborne. My memories: 5' 9" or so, 170 Lbs, , wide chest and shoulders, narrow waist, hawkish facial features, piercing eyes, a voice like crushing gravel, and I swear that the man could walk/march from the knee's only down. The only other Soldiers I saw with the same posture, grace, discipline and gait are the Tomb Guards at Arlington. Absolutely PERFECT! God, How I wanted to be just like him, I wanted to be half the man he was. I can still see his face, that "grimace" he had, and how it felt to be "tutored" by him. I was in fear and awe of him then, but came to love him as much as my own Father in my later years. Him and CSM Joseph Bossi, both I'm sure in Heaven now, could have called me at anytime and I'd have gone running, crawling, whatever to be at their side. I really don't think we make men like that anymore. There's not enough adjectives to properly describe them: Teacher, Counselor, Mentor, Trainer, Sage, Rabbi, Guru, TRUE Soldiers!

Response by SGT Pappa Russ Scarvelli made Sep 30 at 2019 7:43 PM

2019-09-30T19:43:09-04:00

Fort Benning Georgia, December, 1966 SFC Drill Sergeant Spurlock. He was a well reserved professional that helped me as I tried to emulate when I became a Drill Sergeant in 1969 after serving in Vietnam. I will ad that serving as a drill Instructor was the best job I've ever had in my entire life knowing that I helped form positive attitudes and life saving instruction in a war zone.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2019 12:02 AM

2019-10-25T00:02:53-04:00

Platoon 2075, Hotel Co, SSGT Sax, 1989. He retired as a SgtMaj.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2019 11:13 AM

2019-10-25T11:13:55-04:00

A 5/15 Cav
SDS Morgan
DS Carney
DS Cartwright

Very strict, ridiculous attention to detail. Created great Scouts

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2019 2:26 PM

2019-10-25T14:26:42-04:00

SSG Robert Shipman & SFC Percy Yates, BCT 1980 Ft. Knox, KY, C Co., 1st BAT, 3rd Platoon - SSG Shipman actually impacted my military development more negatively than positively initially. Inspite of having caught a full pneumonia in both lungs, he insisted I was faking it, and came to sick call/the hospital every day to cuss out the MD's who were treating me and had diagnosed the pneumonia. He promised me every day that if it was the last thing he ever did, he would keep "slackers like me" out of "his Army". Inspite of his attempts to intimidate me into doing the "duffle bag drag" and giving up, I went back into training after recovery, and proceeded to have a very rewarding career where I felt very appreciated by my CO's and fellow troops alike, and I'm not blowing my own horn, but my career record speaks for itself, and if anything positive came out of my interaction with him, it's that I was all that more determined to not let him discourage me. SFC Yates kind of balanced it all with his fatherly way and his example of extreme professionalism, and he let his humanity show through now & again. Didn't yell half as much as SSG Shipman.

Response by CW4 John Snyder made Oct 30 at 2019 5:52 PM

2019-10-30T17:52:27-04:00

A-2/1 Nov-Jan 84-85 SDS SFC Angel Trjulio; SSG's Anderson, Tennity, Lopez; SGT's Peterson, Dickerson, Brown, Campbell..

Response by SGT Jason Mouret made Nov 2 at 2019 7:15 PM

2019-11-02T19:15:26-04:00

Drill Sgt Steven Kennerson

Response by Randy Albertson made Feb 3 at 2020 10:31 AM

2020-02-03T10:31:57-05:00

Female First Lieutenant Winn, Lackland Air Force Base Texas in 1980. Great first Lieutenant to have even if we were a all male squadron.

Response by SPC Bob Sears made Feb 13 at 2020 6:26 AM

2020-02-13T06:26:29-05:00

Drill Sergeant Wiggins, Fort Jackson A11

Response by SFC Joseph A. Anderson made Mar 7 at 2020 4:32 PM

2020-03-07T16:32:05-05:00

Drill SGT Tiller was my first impression of the US Army. He was a tough, no nonsense Soldier, who turned civilians into soldiers. He impressed me very much as I went through Basic Training at Fort Polk in 1972. He could spot uniform violations from the other side of the building. He was firm but fair. I learned a lot from him. Never got a chance to tell him thank you.

Response by SGT Timothy Wones made Apr 20 at 2020 12:10 PM

2020-04-20T12:10:38-04:00

Drill Sergeants
SFC. Babtiest
SSG. Tomilinson
SFC. Ziebarth

Ft. Jackson S.C. D co. 3/13
1999 "FOURTY ROUNDS!"

Response by PVT Dominique Stewart made Dec 4 at 2020 7:30 PM

2020-12-04T19:30:22-05:00

My Drills were DS Robinson, DS Goodell, amd DS Johnson. They were all crazy and cool in their own different ways. DS Johnson called everybody stud lol....

Response by Jacqueline Nihipali made Feb 28 at 2021 12:19 PM

2021-02-28T12:19:01-05:00

Hello I am looking to hire a drill sergeant for an hour on Mon, Tues, or Wed for a company video. We are gearing up for our sales meeting and wanted to get some footage of a drill sergeant yelling at employees. Will pay!

Response by LTC Charles T Dalbec made May 7 at 2021 6:53 PM

2021-05-07T18:53:52-04:00

From the first day on my Drill Sergeant was great and that continued until graduation.

Response by MSG Greg Kelly made Oct 20 at 2021 8:37 AM

2021-10-20T08:37:32-04:00

SSG Miller and SFC Treer

Response by LTC Tom Jones made Oct 20 at 2021 9:27 AM

2021-10-20T09:27:23-04:00

SSG Larry Thode was my DS in C-3-1, Fort Campbell, KY; summer of 1967. Not a pleasant memory. Once counted his use of his pet phrase, "G-dammit, people" twenty-six times in just under four minutes as he complained about our platoon's shortcomings relative to latrine maintenance. That I would bother to make that count then, and that I would remember it to this day, speaks to how prevalent and ridiculous his use of that phrase was. Several months later, I ran into OCS Candidate Thode as he was about to be graduated from 93d Company, Infantry OCS at Fort Benning. That, too, was a somewhat unpleasant encounter. Several months after that, while having dinner at Camp Roberts outside of the coastal Vietnamese city of Nha Trang, I learned from a 93d Company classmate of Larry's that he had been KIA a short time before. SSG Larry Thode, recipient (posthumously) of the Silver Star--may he "Rest in Peace." Not the kind of story you were probably expecting, @CSM Michael J. Uhlig. Those were difficult times.

Response by SGT Herbert Bollum made Oct 20 at 2021 5:23 PM

2021-10-20T17:23:34-04:00

It's been 45 years but I remember him well. I just can't remember his name.
C/14-4 4th platoon. Ft. Jackson, SC Oct. 1976 he always was saying "snatch your head out your a--" wonderful guy who several of my mates and I went back to visit with during our AIT at Ft. Jackson.

Response by SFC Bill Snyder made Oct 21 at 2021 5:19 PM

2021-10-21T17:19:24-04:00

I don't remember my Cadre Sgt (we didn't have DI's in my day, 1955) name. but he had the biggest right hand that ever laid across my head. Took only one.

Response by SSgt Warren Henthorn made Nov 12 at 2021 3:22 PM

2021-11-12T15:22:10-05:00

SSgt Norman, Aug 67.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 18 at 2021 12:14 PM

2021-11-18T12:14:55-05:00

DS Eley, DS Weaver, DS Streeter, DS Staton, DS Atkins, DS Conner, DS McGee, SDS Suttles and DS Crumb. Ran over Conner on my way running to the top walk...worst day as a PVT back then. Crumb could push Fort McClellan to China...a beast! I wonder how many PVTs remember me when I was under the hat, best job in the Army!

Response by SGT Nancy Vega made Nov 23 at 2021 11:52 AM

2021-11-23T11:52:28-05:00

95B School- DS Larson and DS Blake
91B School- DS Martinez

Response by Sgt Dave VonAllmen made Dec 5 at 2021 5:47 PM

2021-12-05T17:47:15-05:00

It was November 8th 1970 and I can't remember their names anymore, but after I think 3 days into this whole basic training thing they finally had a meeting with us in the barracks and gave us those wonderful words we all wanted to hear back then "liight em if ya got em". Somehow some of the guys had some and shared with the rest of us and we all bonded after that which is what I think they were going for. They reallly seemed like hardasses at the time, but looking back I always remembered how they were able to make a point get us to learn a leason without us really knowing that we were really suppossed to be learning. I always tried to follow that both in the military and in my civilian career.

Response by PO3 Robert `Fall made Dec 22 at 2021 4:46 PM

2021-12-22T16:46:27-05:00

Master Chief Gunner's Mate C.A. Rizzie. As he would add, "E-9, Two stars"

Response by CW4 Jay Ossiander made Dec 28 at 2021 2:37 PM

2021-12-28T14:37:18-05:00

SSG "Big Jim" Jimenez and SSG Callahan. We were terrified of Jimenez, especially since the rumor was he had just come back from "forced leave" after abusing a previous recruit (great psyops in hindsight). His mantra was "don't do it to yourself", meaning don't screw up and make me come down on you and your squad like a tone of bricks. Regardless of our fear, we respected him immensely.
SSG Callahan would always push us to believe we could do whatever the task was in front of us. He was also a great cadence caller on runs, "when I die on the Russian front, bury me in a Russian .....". Probably not allowed anymore.

Response by SPC David Schuler made Dec 29 at 2021 7:02 PM

2021-12-29T19:02:49-05:00

Ssg/DS Ramon Angulo, Ft Polk 1975. It wouldn't be unkind to say that I was a hopeless case. He commented, in front of the platoon, that I ever got lost they could find me by following the trail of gear that I dropped along the way. Within the first week about a dozen trainees had either given up mentally or been deemed unsuitable and were mercilessly singled out and harassed (to encourage the others). Sergeant Angulo quietly took me aside and asked me if I wanted to go home, noted the problems that I having and said that I didn't have to be here, no questions, no harassment. I replied that I would like to stay until he told me it was time to go. He said that it going to get a lot harder and before I was out the door I was assigned my own personal demon, a PV2 awaiting a jump school slot who through rocks at me whenever he thought I was slacking off. It was exactly what I needed. There is more I'd like to say about the man, his two tours in Vietnam( 82nd and 101st)and the scar above his right eye, but I am afraid that I have already gone to long.

Response by MSG Bob S made Dec 30 at 2021 1:39 PM

2021-12-30T13:39:37-05:00

SFC Simons, SFC Roberts and the guy that rode me like a $2 whore for 8 weeks SSG Brewer. Not because I was a shit-bag but because he liked me as I came to find out later in my career

Response by PO3 Jeff Mixon made Dec 31 at 2021 3:29 PM

2021-12-31T15:29:12-05:00

MMC SS Oliva

Response by SGT John Beahm made Jan 5 at 2022 7:43 AM

2022-01-05T07:43:20-05:00

I don't remember names, it was in early 75, but they were very good at what they did with out all the extra motivation you hear about. They did the yelling thing at times to keep us on our toes, but with a determination to get us to move, stay motivated and give them your ell plus. You did want to let them down for the fear of becoming a failure. I did my basic in Ft Jackson, AIT in Ft Polk and it was a learning experience that I will never forget to strive to give it your all.

Response by SSG James Harlow made Jan 9 at 2022 12:07 PM

2022-01-09T12:07:26-05:00

SFC Washington, he was a former USAREUR boxing champion. Dude had like a 20” waist. I saw the plaque in his office and explained it to everyone, no one screwed with him. SSG Johnson, I was getting ready to retire and heard him on the TV, chill went down my spine. He was talking about his daughter getting captured in Iraq. Her name is Shosana(sp). That Panamanian accent still scared me 20 years later.

Response by PO3 David Keck made Jan 11 at 2022 12:19 PM

2022-01-11T12:19:16-05:00

Though it was way back in 75 Our boot camp CC was MM 1 Paul House. In my opinion he was one of the best examples of senior petty officer that I encountered. Tough but fair and always led by example. I am sure he turned a lot of kids into young men.

Response by Sgt Rodney Fridley made Jan 18 at 2022 9:30 AM

2022-01-18T09:30:15-05:00

Lackland AFB 1971, SSgt. Wynkoop. When I was growing up my parents taught me to be honest and own up to my mistakes. He expected the same and was fair when it came to punishment. He had a voice like thunder and was as big as a mountain. He was exactly what I expected when I stepped off the bus.

Response by SP5 Jim Shively made Jan 18 at 2022 7:02 PM

2022-01-18T19:02:03-05:00

SFC Crudiup at Ft. Leonard Wood. Oct. 68 to Dec. 68.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2022 10:01 PM

2022-01-18T22:01:08-05:00

I know where EXACTLY you are headed CSM.

When I went through Basic I was 39/yo. So I only remember ONE. He was the ONLY ONE in the entirety of all of my TRADOC Cadre that was older than me, and only by months. I didn't gain anything from him. I didn't care. I was nearly 40 with 15 years on some of the Drills. I was there to just check the box, and get back to my USAR unit and civilian life.

Now.......... what I did take away from the experience was the inside look of Basic Training that many of you here wish you could have shared with your younger self. I was right there watching all the kids around me in complete AWE of these Drill SGTs. Of course they were. I was too of my mentors when I was in my late teen (a lifetime prior).

I digress. It was a remarkable experience at my age to witness all these horny rabbits being thrust into life in awe of every day's new experience.

Some of my interactions with my basic training peers were just kind of like an out of body experience. I had to stay in my lane as just another trainee, but at 39 y/o I could see every train wreck the Cadre were lining up. There was nothing I could do about it either.

**************
Let me wrap this back around to the CSM's primary intent. What I did take away from the experience was the observation we now as leaders wield over our very young subordinates. It's NOT a function of our professionalism or capabilities but how we as human beings develop and mature into functioning adults when we are young.

For one, there were more than a few Cadre in my TRADOC that were pieces of crap individuals. They were in a job they didn't want to be, and they were just trying to get through the day. Health and welfare of trainees was merely a nuisance to them. However, many of the kids still held them on high.

When I left my company command position I got a reminder of that influence. A pair of young soldiers entered my office to wish me luck in my future position and they were appreciative to everything I did for them. I was touched, I didn't really do anything more than the minimum and wondered why they were getting all emotional. Then it hit me, oh, I'm now the guy in that position of leadership/mentorship. For them, I was their first real unit commander once out of TRADOC. I pinned them to PV2/PFC/SPC etc... Some of them I pinned as NCO's.

So I am appreciative to be given a rare opportunity to see how young adults can be molded and try and remember my place in the system to not throw that influence away.

Response by SPC Terry Page made Jan 18 at 2022 10:53 PM

2022-01-18T22:53:35-05:00

Sgt Hayes, Fort Knox, KY (1963).

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2022 11:06 PM

2022-01-18T23:06:45-05:00

Remember them all. 3007, Hotel Co, 3rd Bn 78. Gunny Ream, SSgt Colley, SSgt Dunlap (moved to a sister Plt in our series as Senior DI), Sgt Matson, Sgt Young. Met Ream at Iwakuni, MSgt by then, gave him a bottle of Crown Royal. Dunlap was President of WOBC class when I was Sgt at TBS. We worked their Mess Night(s) for cash. I worked pot shack in the back. All enlisted met the brass on line afterwards. MCDEC CG Lt Gen JH Miller and others were escorted by Dunlap. He recognized me and the Gen said Dunlap let me slide through boot. Miller was former SSgt in WWII and very hard. I replied Sir yes Sir. as I knew better than to say more. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_H._Miller

John H. Miller - Wikipedia

Response by SSG Phillip Hoffeld made Jan 18 at 2022 11:35 PM

2022-01-18T23:35:25-05:00

Hell, CSM, I can't remember what I had for lunch yesterday, let alone 36 years ago. However, I do still have nightmares about that little cuss and can still see his face.

Response by MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D. made Jan 19 at 2022 3:39 AM

2022-01-19T03:39:49-05:00

I started out with a slick looking E-7 named Gonzalez. Don't remember much about him as he was soon replaced by his no. 2, SSG Allendorf. Allendorf was very short and had an impish face. But you didn't dare let his cuteness fool you. He was in the 1st Cav. Div. in Vietnam in 1966 and was seriously wounded. In the early days of the Vietnam War, they were chintzy on medals (that changed when Maj. Gen. Fred Weyand was commanding the 25th ID in 67 and II Field Force in '68). Allendorf had a CIB, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, KP Badge (NDSM) and Vietnam Thank-You-for-Going (VSM) and Thank-You-for-Coming (VCM) Medals. He was tough as nails and would take the hard cases to the vacant third floor of our barracks for "wall-to-wall" counseling sessions with his tough-as-nails assistant DS, SGT Camacho--a short Guamanian who was in the 199th LIB in Vietnam in 1967-68. He had a CIB, Bronze Star w/V, Purple Heart and ARCOM. They made a heck of a team. This was at Ft. Ord. from 15 Dec. 1969 - late Feb. 1970. The fact we went on a two-week Christmas-New Year's leave made their job that much harder. . . .

Response by 1LT Voyle Smith made Jan 19 at 2022 4:21 AM

2022-01-19T04:21:51-05:00

SGT Adams. He was a 44-year-old E5 who had made E7 several times, but had a habit of getting drunk on payday and getting into a fight, winding up in jail, and being busted back to E5. A damn fine soldier, though.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jan 19 at 2022 5:18 AM

2022-01-19T05:18:43-05:00

My friend CSM Michael J. Uhlig in November 1974 at BCT in Fort Leonard Wood my Drill Sergeant was SSG Robert Ford. To make matters worse [for me], Gerald Ford was POTUS. SSG Ford reminded me periodically that I was an insult to the Ford family, etc. He was a great trainer who enjoyed ribbing me.
Image: SSG Robert Ford
FYI MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D. SGT Charlie Lee SMSgt Dr. G. A. Thomas 1SG Dan Capri SGT Private RallyPoint Member COL Charles Williams Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS SGT Private RallyPoint Member 1SG Michael Blount CSM William DeWolf PO1 John Miller CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member SPC Americo Garcia LTC Stephen C. LTC Bink Romanick LTJG Robert M. CSM Charles Hayden SGT Private RallyPoint Member SSG Edward Tilton

Response by MSG Greg Kelly made Jan 19 at 2022 6:02 AM

2022-01-19T06:02:07-05:00

Mine was SFC Treer and SSG Miller SSG Miller was very cool brought his girlfriend to barracks area one evening walking around with and she was dressed to kill. I know the whole BN street was standing there with their tongues hanging out. LOL But they also loved to road march and walked us into the clay of GA. They both had CIB's that's where I learned the Infantryman's brotherhood and what it meant. We had no religions Colors, or anything that made us individuals we were brothers all. And we only had one asshat that never took to in my platoon. I learned love of my brother Infantryman, Country.

Response by CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana made Jan 19 at 2022 6:12 AM

2022-01-19T06:12:38-05:00

SSG Christensen was my drill instructor during Basic Training and; SSG Christensen was rough and tough on us. A late to formation = PT after the last class of the day till chow time. If you were found lurking in the corridor after Lights out then, you were treated with 50 pushups bunk-to-bunk. When a trainee failed his APFT diagnostic, Drill Sergeant Christensen sentenced the failure to one week of after class PT with the Drill. Fail the weight check and face diet changes and daily timed run around the 2-mile track or face Agony. There are many others. However, my Drill Sergeant was always available and open for assistance to his 4th Platoon Warlords. After graduation the Platoon missed his famous quotes, like "I want you to quit now, if you can't pass the f**k**g PT test, the bl**dy weight test or you can't follow my freaking orders; such trainees deserve a pee test instead, for crying out loud."

Response by Sgt Larry Irvine made Jan 19 at 2022 6:38 AM

2022-01-19T06:38:14-05:00

Senior Drill Instructor,
Gunnery Sergeant Varner
Senior Drill Instructor,
Staff Sergeant Anderson
Drill Instructor, Sergeant Elam(had a cleft palate, made drill practice challenging )

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2022 7:53 AM

2022-01-19T07:53:18-05:00

I had a female named SSG Beursad, the most cussing I have ever heard out of a female, for a few weeks her second was SSG Rodriguez but he left us to take over his own platoon and we got this huge 6'5" guy right out of the D.S. Acadamy, whose motto was if you want to be the man you have to beat the man. So he dropped and always did more than anyone else just to prove you couldn't beat him.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jan 19 at 2022 8:40 AM

2022-01-19T08:40:40-05:00

Parris Island
2nd BN, H CO
PLT 2064
Senior Drill Instructor Gunnery Sergeant Greenfield
Drill Instructor Staff Sergeant Redfearn
Drill Instructor SSG Schliesman
Drill Instructor SGT Martin

Response by SP5 Robert McCallum made Jan 19 at 2022 9:28 AM

2022-01-19T09:28:38-05:00

SSG Matthew Chapman
A 16 4
Ft Knox 1966, Spring.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2022 9:30 AM

2022-01-19T09:30:59-05:00

SFC Flowers and SSG Treat, D 1-22 at Ft Sill, 2002. Their last cycle together. They told us we were their best product. I am still not sure whether that was motivation or truth. They were great! We were the best platoon by far for that cycle . Oh and I can’t forget about SFC Harres that came in half way through and changed the game. There was another reserve recruiter that came in part time but I can’t recall his name.

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Jan 19 at 2022 9:33 AM

2022-01-19T09:33:32-05:00

TSgt Runion and Sgt Armstrong...lasting impressions of professionalism and dedication to duty.

Response by SPC Kevin Ford made Jan 19 at 2022 9:59 AM

2022-01-19T09:59:03-05:00

Drill Sgt Simpson. I remember him not in a good or bad way, just as a guy who gave us what we needed to succeed. One thing I learned from him is sometimes you just have to sit there and take it for the greater good, or at least future goals. The old, if you are in formation and a fly is buzzing you, the fly is going to win today.

The most memorable statement? When getting smoked and doing mountain climbers him standing behind us saying "I hope some of you are getting sick of this and want to stand up and do something about it." For context, this guy was HUUUUUUGE and all muscle. I remember (silently) chuckling and thinking to myself, yeah no one is going to take him up on that "offer".

Response by MCPO Hilary Kunz made Jan 19 at 2022 11:04 AM

2022-01-19T11:04:05-05:00

GMGC Cowan, Company 906. He told us day one that we’d never forget his name, and he was right. “Smoke em if you got ‘em”, and if you didn’t smoke, then no break for you. He took us from a random group of guys from all over the west into a cohesive unit capable of doing things that you only see on tv and movies. That’s when we started to realize that we were doing the hero stuff, and we’d continue doing it for our term of enlistment.

His “second” was an AA (E-2 in aviation) that tried to sell us drugs for boot camp liberty. Don’t remember his name, but I learned, “more rank, more trust” from that. GMGC Cowan was not part of it.

Early on, just after the move off Worm Island, we had one of us break down in ranks. He was Hare Krishna, and his group had told him to join so he could earn money for the group/church. GMGC Cowan talked with us about the challenges of boot camp, and told us his story. It wasn’t a yelling time, it was a time of compassion, both for the guy and those of us that watched it. Later I realized that he could have had a major problem without counseling us, and he was doing the leadership thing

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2022 1:46 PM

2022-01-19T13:46:01-05:00

SFC Kremer, SSG Ford, SSG, Ellis, and SSG Everett. Fort Jackson, South Carolina. A Co., 3-60th IN (River Raiders), 193rd IN BDE. SSG Ellis was only with us for a few weeks as he was getting ready to retire. SSG Everett would be his replacement. SFC Kremer and SSG Ford were two forces to be reckoned with.

Response by CPL Jimmy Webb made Jan 19 at 2022 2:23 PM

2022-01-19T14:23:01-05:00

Ssgt Collins..from(1977)

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2022 3:04 PM

2022-01-19T15:04:34-05:00

SSG.s Jones & Carter.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jan 19 at 2022 4:27 PM

2022-01-19T16:27:09-05:00

SFC Butler and SSG Eaves. Butler was a mountain of a man with a square Jae, looked like he came straight out of the movies the quintessential Drill Sergeant. SSG Eaves was a lean, staunch man who could run around the clock. He was his own man who stood his ground and worked his heart out. These two men both cared about what they did, this was reflected greatly in how the tore us down and rebuilt us into a team.

I ran into Butler sone 8 years later and he remembered me instantly.

Great men from two sides of the tracks.

Response by 1stSgt Ronald Sheps made Jan 19 at 2022 5:26 PM

2022-01-19T17:26:08-05:00

I remember him well. He told us many times he was a real soldier until he “got shot in the gd dmnd ass and as punishment they made me a Drill Seargent. ❤️

Response by LTC Trent Klug made Jan 19 at 2022 8:43 PM

2022-01-19T20:43:06-05:00

I remember all four of them very well!

Response by CPT Andrew Wright made Jan 20 at 2022 7:41 AM

2022-01-20T07:41:03-05:00

In Basic at Fort Sill we had SFC Lefevre, who was both Canadian and a Vietnam Veteran. At Fort Benning we had SFC Wolfman, another Vietnam vet, who must have been about fifty years old, which was very old to a bunch of 18-20 year old recruits!

Response by SSG Derek Smith made Jan 20 at 2022 8:31 AM

2022-01-20T08:31:01-05:00

I have no idea, that was 40 years ago. Also, I served in the Navy, Army, and Air Force. I have been to basic training 3 times.

Response by SGT Ruben Lozada made Jan 20 at 2022 10:00 AM

2022-01-20T10:00:50-05:00

Good morning CSM Uhlig,
I recall going through the WTC course at Ft. Sill because I was prior service active duty Navy and as well as Inactive Navy Reserves. I don't recall My Drill Sergeants names. We had two assigned to Our company. One was a short Filipino and the other was a stocky African-American. I learned a lot from both of Them as I did know anything about the Army. I recall one funny moment was when We were in the barracks and there was a bad snow storm that day and most of the power had gone out throughout the post. So. We were stuck eating MRE for most of the day. I was new to the MRE world. I had to ask how do I warm up the stuff from the MRE. Funny part was I had no idea what the gum was for, all I knew that is was regular gum and that it was minty. So, another "Battle" gave Me His. An hour later My DS told what's it for. I paid for it later that day, when I was in the latrine for 30 minutes. Word of advice, Please stay away from that MRE gum.

Response by TSgt James Herslebs made Jan 20 at 2022 11:06 AM

2022-01-20T11:06:04-05:00

In 1979 SSgt Luis Garza was a diminutive fellow! His counterpart was about 6'6 to his 5'4. They served in the marines together in Viet Nam. They made it their mission to turn us into first class Airman whether or not we liked the tactics. There was a Mural of the Hulk painted on the Day Room wall! SSgt Garza all of 5'4" made it a point to tell us that he was The Hulk and would kick all of our asses if we didn't perform to his standards.

Response by SSG Frank Bova made Jan 20 at 2022 5:09 PM

2022-01-20T17:09:47-05:00

1967 Ft. Gordon GA. SFC Patton Perfect name for DS

Response by SPC Greg Whittenburg made Jan 20 at 2022 5:26 PM

2022-01-20T17:26:08-05:00

SFC Butler/SGT Butler (same name, different game) Jan, 1976 Ft. Knox, Ky. One white, one black, all balls and prone to attack.

Response by CW5 Steve Kohn made Jan 20 at 2022 7:28 PM

2022-01-20T19:28:07-05:00

I was drafted into the Army in 1967. This is from my for-family-only autobiography:

I have almost no memory of my first day at basic training. Others have written about their first day: the barracks, the drill sergeants, the shouting, the confusion, the uniform issue, the pushups. I remember nothing. Except my drill sergeants.

No need to add I don’t remember their names. They were two Black NCOs who’d served as infantrymen in Vietnam, and nothing like the famous drill sergeant in “Full Metal Jacket.” I never heard, not once, either of them shout, hit, insult, or curse one of us.

The older drill sergeant was nearing 40, much too old to still be a Staff Sergeant. He’d likely been busted a few times and was hanging on for his 20-year retirement. Though lean and hard, his body was stiff and his face a constant scowl as he taught us drill and ceremonies, marching and marksmanship. Rumor had it he was from Philadelphia – inner city, not the suburbs – and would sooner cut us up than chew us out. We feared him in a visceral way, not knowing he couldn’t harm us without bringing a lot of unwanted attention on himself.

His junior partner was at least ten years younger, with an athlete’s grace, always relaxed. He took us through physical training, led us on our runs (neither he or his starched uniform breaking a sweat, while we recruits were puking), and demonstrated all the events on the obstacle course, making them look so easy we had confidence we could do them, too. We didn’t fear him as much as like him. We never got close enough to him to test it, but he was the “Good Cop.”

Between the two drill sergeants, we – let me speak for myself … I – enjoyed basic training. I wish I still had their names so I could go back and thank them (or by now, maybe their families) for starting me off so well.

Response by Sgt Stephen Brown made Jan 20 at 2022 7:57 PM

2022-01-20T19:57:48-05:00

1970 MCRD
Senior - SSgt Ward
SSgt Lewis
Sgt. Diaz
They all influenced me in one way or another. Diaz was the compassionate one but strict. Lewis was the mean SOB and Ward was a combination of the other two.

Response by CPT Joel Mayne made Jan 20 at 2022 11:40 PM

2022-01-20T23:40:26-05:00

I took basic training at Ft Leonard Wood , MO in 1960 after joining the Iowa National Guard in 1959. My unit had been activated prior to my going to basic and I was actually taken out of high school and sent out to shoot looters if necessary in abandoned towns that were flooded. I learned how to load and operate an M1 Garand in the back of a Deuce and a half one dark snowy night to be posted all by my self in a flooded town. That is a whole story in itself. When I got to the Wood, we called it Fort Lost in the Woods Misery, I started basic. Most of my basic company was from Texas and Oklahoma. Into the barracks walked the biggest black NCO I had ever seen with two CIB awards. He was wearing a St Louis Cardinals baseball hat and holding our platoon roster. His name was PSG (E-7) Turner and we were to address him as Platoon Sergeant at all times. He scanned the platoon list and said " I see a lot of you boys are from TX and OK and probably never took orders from a black man before. I will take off my stripes and be out side for 15 minutes. Anyone that can whip me can transfer out of the platoon to a white PSG with no consequences". He was out side for 15m and not one recruit went outside. He was a great leader and person . He trained us well based on his experience fighting the Germans in WW II and the Chinese and NK's in Korea. I used much of what he taught me when I fought in Nam 68-69. When we got passes he told us about all the spots in town where the cheapest booze and most girls were. Most were on the off limits list the MPs put out. When we graduated all the other recruits got tea, soda and cookies but we got to go back to the barracks and he had cold beer for us. The word came down not to sing dirty cadence calls but PSG Turner taught us to march to some pretty profane stuff. He said no good soldier could march without some profane cadence. At the end of our cycle we bought him a very expensive Bulova watch and had it engraved. On the back case it said " To PSG Turner from your No Goods." He used to tell us NG ( we were all National Guard) stood for No Good. He was highly decorated with awards and Purple Hearts. I retired from the active Army as an officer and he was one of the finest NCO's I ever served with. To this day i always address any Infantry E-7 as Platoon Sgt in his honor.

Response by A1C CeCe C. made Jan 20 at 2022 11:59 PM

2022-01-20T23:59:48-05:00

TSgt Fox - Lackland AFB- 8/76. She was a tall woman that never smiled once in 6 weeks. From day one, she had it in for four of us in our flight. It was no secret which four as we were the only blacks out of 50 Airman. Systematically, each one of us were set-back and removed from the flight but not until we had to pull more dorm guard duty and KP than any others. I was the last to get set-back and it happened on the final inspection right after our graduation program due to a microscopic hair on my shoe. My Mom & Grandma had flown to Texas to witness the latest family member achieve what the majority of the family had done (my grandson just went into the Army 2 weeks ago so the military branches continue!) only to get a call from me saying I had to stay an additional 2 weeks. It was because of TSgt Fox I began smoking (smoke free 12 years now) as only those that smoked tended to get more breaks while others cleaned the dorm. The biggest impact from TSgt Fox...my first introduction to racism.

Response by CW4 Harris Smith made Jan 21 at 2022 2:01 PM

2022-01-21T14:01:35-05:00

I don't think you can ever forget your drill sergeant. Back in 1969 mine was SSG Engleman, Viet Nam veteran with the Big Red One. CIB, etc, etc. We were the last group to wear color rank insignia and patches on our OG107s. He had a pencil thin mustache with piercing blue eyes and carried a swagger stick. One bright Sunday morning, 3 trainees in my company fell out without their covers. As they are in the barracks recovering their head gear, Drill Sergeant Engleman drives up and gets out of his car with a big German Shepard. The Joes come out and he says "Get down and crawl green snakes!". When they started to low crawl the dog grabbed one by ankle and starts shaking him while he's screaming. DS Engleman says "Come here girl! Stay away from those green snakes!" and the dog was immediately by his side. The dog knew you didn't cross DS Engleman, as we knew also.

Response by CW4 Pierre Joly made Jan 21 at 2022 2:27 PM

2022-01-21T14:27:38-05:00

SSG Clark at Fort Dix, March of 69. Made me a Squad Leader and kept me the position the entire cycle. Was a role model in appearance, logic, mentorship and instruction. A professional by any other name! Best cadence caller and Jody caller I’ve ever encountered.

Response by MAJ Brents Pepper made Jan 21 at 2022 2:30 PM

2022-01-21T14:30:52-05:00

I remember my senior drill sergeant saying “you will never forget your drills”. He was correct SFC Ross, SSG Ramsey, and SGT Mayberry.

Response by SPC Gary Symons made Jan 21 at 2022 2:51 PM

2022-01-21T14:51:20-05:00

Yep, 56 years later I still remember of him but not his name. The first day he said we were like family and we could all call him by his first name, Sergeant.

He asked if we had any questions and one guy said Yes Sir and he immediately said I am not a Sir, I am a Sergeant and what is your question? Why do we call these clothes fatigues? He said by the time I get done with you tomorrow you will know the answer and we all laughed.

He had a new different funny monologue everyday. He would ask someone to raise their hand if they a drivers license, when the first idiot raised his hand, he threw them a mop and told them to drive it around the whole barracks. Other days he would just yell at us all to get this whore house cleaned up. Hard to believe that was actually a fun time in my life.

Response by SN Kristi Kalis made Jan 21 at 2022 10:24 PM

2022-01-21T22:24:11-05:00

I had Drill Sgts Hensley, Brown and Lancin, 3/34, Delta company, 2nd platoon. Hensley thought he was Superman, and he was from Tennessee. Brown hated white girls. Lancin was Filipino and talked so fast, no one could understand him. He had a great sense of humor though.
Hensley ended up being fired as a Drill Sergeant because of his abuse of soldiers. No one was allowed to go to medical, we drilled on black flag days and even the other DS hated him. He ended a few military careers before they even started.
Drill Sergeant Estes from 4th platoon taught us more than any of our DS. He had a left and right chest full of ribbons and medals from Viet Nam and after that.
1st Sergeant Ivory Hemphill was even worse than our DS. He acted like he was going to make everyone pay for a Black man being named Ivory. He ended my chances of a long career, along with 2 other soldiers who worked under him.

Response by LT Leon Heselton made Jan 21 at 2022 11:31 PM

2022-01-21T23:31:33-05:00

My Company Commander was a BT-1, a decent guy. The idiot was our LT, a math teacher recalled to active duty for Korean conflict and hated it and us.

Response by PO2 Danny Ward made Jan 22 at 2022 11:26 AM

2022-01-22T11:26:39-05:00

The Navy has Company Commanders, Mine was ICC Wise. Internal Communications Chief Petty Officer, or E7 by rank. He could be brutal, yet fair. The one thing that I remember was getting close to graduation and all recruits in our company was to receive one day of liberty and those who wanted would go to his house for a barbeque which included beer, Hams and Coors. The men in company could pick who would have 2 days of liberty, I was one of a handful who was chosen. He looked at me and asked how I pulled that one off? I just replied, "Sir, I have no idea why I was chosen, Sir." He just smiled and told me to carry on.

Response by SSG Rick Miller made Jan 22 at 2022 12:34 PM

2022-01-22T12:34:29-05:00

SSG Charles Beer. Man was batshit crazy. Vietnam vet, SF, scared the living shit out of us. Ran us all over Ft. Knox, all the hills, Agony, Misery, Huff and Puff. Never raised his voice but we knew he was serious. Used to wreck the barracks daily. Flipped over bunks, emptied wall lockers, threw one out of a window. These were the old wooden WWII barracks. This was way back in 1978. Remember him to this day, 43 years later.

Response by 1SG Michael Farrell made Jan 22 at 2022 8:21 PM

2022-01-22T20:21:14-05:00

Drill/SFC Burge, who was an exceptionally memorable guy. One of my friends in the platoon that I bumped into about ten years later told me that he'd met Burge again at Fort Hood, and that he was about to retire as a CSM. The junior Drill Sergeant's name escapes me at the moment, but about halfway through the cycle, he was relieved for cause and replaced by Drill/Staff Sergeant Comfort. They worked really well together. It was an interesting experience.

Response by SP5 Dennis Griffy made Jan 23 at 2022 10:34 AM

2022-01-23T10:34:29-05:00

I will always be grateful for the lessons learned from SSG Russell O. Asher during my time in 1966 at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. His influence has impacted and improved my life.

Response by SPC Franklin McKown made Jan 23 at 2022 2:50 PM

2022-01-23T14:50:07-05:00

In D6-C1 SPRING OF 86,FT Knox.At 24, I was 1st avowed from my 1st platoon under Donald K.shipman. A most regrettable "weanie" as runing was never going to be a sjkill I'd master.
Then I met my 2nd: DI Andrew Gravens (he didn't think he needed to raise his voice to grown men) He would point to the ground ,and we knew to push 20.
AFTER duy hours he ran with me so I could make it.
I never gort a second winfd just more pain ,but I could take it for a 2 mile run.

Response by MSgt Roger Lalik made Jan 23 at 2022 8:55 PM

2022-01-23T20:55:17-05:00

GySgt Andersen
SSgt Wadley
Sgt (SSgt Selectee) Minnefield

Platoon 2092

October 4, 1967 - December 13, 1967
MCRD San Diego

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2022 8:58 PM

2022-01-23T20:58:42-05:00

SFC Partlow. Fort Jackson 1988. Incredibly competent, professional, trainer, and leader. He rarely raised his voice, but he didn’t need to.

Response by SPC Robert Hendrickson made Jan 23 at 2022 9:18 PM

2022-01-23T21:18:18-05:00

SSG Carter then he was promoted to SFC this was in June to Sept of 1976..seriously..it was not the Carter on Gomer Pyle but close..he did not really influences my compatriots nor me..Vietnam was just on the cool down phases or stand-downs they are now called..there were other D.I.'s, but they were there to be recognized not helping..seriously..my second boot camp not sure of his name but he was ok and better to influence for better

Response by TSgt John Buzzard made Jan 24 at 2022 2:36 PM

2022-01-24T14:36:19-05:00

Tsgt Viltz, it's been over 40 years and I remember him. The swagger from a big black German fresh from Vietnam. Instructing a bunch of guys from Cleveland and Mississippi. Calling out the "tough" guys to put on the boxing gloves. I knew he wasn't allowed to hit any of us, but that didn't change my opinion of him. He had that swagger I carried with myself during my whole 20 year career, I'm 60 now and still walk with that attitude.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2022 5:36 PM

2022-01-24T17:36:15-05:00

Had a drill Sergeant named SSG Flemming first introduced was a smoke session at ft still man told us to strip down. This guy mopped are floor with pine sol told us get in the front leaning rest our private parts was touching the damn floor we hollering because of the pine sol he said privates this is what an STD feels like. This man was white male didn’t give a flying fuck what your race or religion was told you what it is and that’s it. Always heard yea General Dempsey is the tradoc commander but he don’t give a fuck bout yall privates I’m god over here. bootcamp was fucked up. Lol years go by I see this same Ds got reduced in rank at the time at the px we was the same rank e5 in 2012 gave his ass the business. Only thing i truly learned from him was always get your point across

Response by SrA Nenad Maric made Jan 25 at 2022 12:51 AM

2022-01-25T00:51:40-05:00

I believe it was SRA Ambrose..I don't remember. I was in the 3703 BMTS..at least until the last week. I was wrongly accused of talking back to a flight leader, so I was assigned to a different squadron for my last week of basic. It turned out that the flight leader lied about it in the end. So much for integrity.

Response by TSgt Robert Phillips made Jan 25 at 2022 10:50 AM

2022-01-25T10:50:11-05:00

SSgt Lowe

Response by Sgt Ed Bowers made Jan 25 at 2022 12:05 PM

2022-01-25T12:05:11-05:00

For some unexplained reason during my 13 weeks at PI my platoon had 13 different DI's. So I remember 3 of the two were Senior DI's and SSgts and one was a Sgt. Lewis and James were the SSgts and Weatherford was the Sgt. Sgt. Weatherford is the one to "blame" for me getting through boot camp. He had us fall out in boots, utility trousers, t shirts and helmet liners with our M1s. He had an M1 and got up on the wash rack and showed us "up and on your shoulders". You hold the rifle at your shoulders in front and lift the weapon over your head and put it on you shoulders behind you. We were being "punished" for some infraction which I do not remember. I started counting the number of times we did it. In the process we had 3 men collapse from the exercise and the heat. I stopped counting at 500. But I told myself that I wouldn't stop until he did and I did not stop until he did. It was during our 3rd week and from then on I knew I would become a Marine. I'm now 86 and damn proud of that title to this day!

Response by MSG Roy Cheever made Jan 25 at 2022 2:03 PM

2022-01-25T14:03:56-05:00

In 1972 my drill for my platoon was an E-7 with a black book of all the names of the recruites. After you got layed by one of his girls your name got checked off.
I made best trainee in basic, but refused to pay for that service to get my name checked off in his book. So he put me with a young beautiful teenage girl from Columbus, SC. For free so he could save face and mark me out of his book.
He taught me, it takes power to control the lives of others.
What you decide to do with that power, wether for good or evil is what decides your ultimate fate.

Response by MSG Roy Cheever made Jan 25 at 2022 2:04 PM

2022-01-25T14:04:26-05:00

Response by SGT Duane Cohens made Jan 25 at 2022 5:06 PM

2022-01-25T17:06:09-05:00

Both of mine stick out. SSG Joseph S. "Antoine" Anthony and SGT Manuel "Manny" Leza.

I can remember once everyone started echoing my name. I ran back to the barracks and everybody said "Drill Sergeant Anthony wants you." I go upstairs, report, and he starts calling out names of family members of mine. "Do you know so and so..." I'm standing there with this confused look on my face thinking how deep do they dig into you. He finally started laughing and said, "you know why I'm asking you these questions? Because I'm your COUSIN!! NOW DROP AND BEAT YOUR FACE!!

Drill Sergeant Leza was quiet but a force to be reckoned with. Basic training for him and us took a serious turn when he came down on orders to go to Korea with us. We were a package platoon, and we realized then how serious shit was back then. Both of them were real stand up guys and I think about them often.

Response by CPL Perry Kearns made Jan 25 at 2022 9:45 PM

2022-01-25T21:45:25-05:00

SSG Elmar Harding
March- May 1970 Company E 8th BN 2dBDE
Fort Bragg, NC

Response by CPL Perry Kearns made Jan 25 at 2022 10:02 PM

2022-01-25T22:02:28-05:00

SPC 4 Perry J Kearns
SSG Elmar Harding had a short statue but an athletic body. Very tough fellow. He was very hard on us new guys the first few weeks but once he knew that we respected him he was one great drill sergeant. Every soldier that was in our company that went to Vietnam came home alive.

Response by PFC Steven Kleiner made Jan 26 at 2022 7:55 AM

2022-01-26T07:55:22-05:00

I had DS Fabian and DS Phillips as my primary two. I will never forget either one. I still hear their voices when I am walking, running or working out.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2022 11:40 AM

2022-01-26T11:40:56-05:00

Cant remember much about either location but do remember both of my DS's from Basic and AIT. Fun times!!
Fort Leonard Wood '97 - DS Redeaux/DS Klein
Aberdeen PG '98 - DS Holmes/DS Nardi

Response by CH (CPT) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2022 1:56 PM

2022-01-26T13:56:06-05:00

Shoot how could anyone forget their Drill Instructor? Senior Drill Instructor: GySgt John F. Trimmer; Drill Instructors: SSgt Richards; Sgt Bell and Sgt West. Platoon 2037 Bravo Company 2nd Battalion; Parris Island, SC. The year of our Lord 24 February to 14 May 1999.

Response by SPC William Szkromiuk made Jan 26 at 2022 8:38 PM

2022-01-26T20:38:10-05:00

Sergeant Best. And he was pretty darn good! He came from the Marine Corps where he was a Drill Instructor. Everyone really responded to his leadership. Right out of basic training we would have followed him to hell. And back! Semper Fi !

Response by Sgt Frank Staples made Jan 27 at 2022 12:51 AM

2022-01-27T00:51:51-05:00

That was over fifty years ago...I'm 77 and can't remember what I had for dinner and you think I can remember who my TI was??

Response by CPL Keith Baylor made Jan 27 at 2022 3:28 AM

2022-01-27T03:28:18-05:00

I think his name was Ssg Gruber.

Response by SPC Brian Stephens made Jan 27 at 2022 12:45 PM

2022-01-27T12:45:37-05:00

SSG Kevin Jones and SSG Gerard, Ft. Sill, September 1988-November 1988. I was THAT GUY! I hogged all of their time on Day 1 and I was put on KP with 1st Platoon on Day 2, away from my 2nd Platoon, C-Btry, 1/31 FA. SSG Gerard was mostly silent. But he was from the U.S. Virgin Islands so when he called cadence, mostly what he called did not sound like English to me. Drill Sergeant Jones, on the other hand, was a Forward Observer 13F and he was like a shotgun to the face at first. But he was funny too. And he was fair.

Response by MAJ Michael Davis made Jan 27 at 2022 3:09 PM

2022-01-27T15:09:59-05:00

Drill SGT Dobbs and Drill SGT Smith. SSG Dobbs always said, "Every Day is a great day and every meal is a feast." I'll remember and live by that till the day I die!!!

Response by Devin Hester made Jan 27 at 2022 3:36 PM

2022-01-27T15:36:20-05:00

Lieutenant Dan.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2022 2:22 PM

2022-01-28T14:22:04-05:00

SSgt Anthony Paterson
USAF BMT Nov-Dec 1999
331st TRS….if you’re on here sir drop me a line

Response by Cpl Edward Allen made Jan 28 at 2022 2:24 PM

2022-01-28T14:24:14-05:00

This goes back a long long time. Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Nov 1, 1972. They were SSGT Jackson, SGT Hall and SGT Miller. I enlisted at the age of 24 (I believe I was older than Sgt Miller) and I could not believe how dumb these younger recruits (most of them 17 - 18) were. They just kept doing stupid things. This was getting close to the end of what I call the 'Real Era' of Recruit training. Not sure how the training is accomplished now, but at that time if you screwed up, you got your ass beat. I was never slapped, hit with a rifle stock in the back of the head, ran up and down extra stairs, picked up rifle parts off the Parade Deck, or any of the other corrective training methods. I think the worse that happened to me was that I learned some new names as in Sancho and Jody but they never materialized. But make no mistake, those three Sergeants trained me, and shaped my entire life. After the first two weeks of basic, I didn't think I wanted any of those other recruits to fight alongside me, but at graduation, there wasn't one I didn't want alongside me. I love ALL my Brothers and Sisters! I will forever remember all three of my Drill Instructors.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2022 10:23 AM

2022-01-29T10:23:41-05:00

Johnson, Swindler, Haygod and Ford
D 6/10 Ft. Leonardwood 1990

Response by SSG Eric Blue made Mar 4 at 2022 11:25 PM

2022-03-04T23:25:46-05:00

DSs Clark, Little, Aycock, and Swett! They allowed me to enjoy the heck outta BCT! Even while getting smoked! There are one or two things I'd change about BCT, but my drill sergeants ARE NOT one of them! They were awesome!

Response by SPC Jonathan Lee made Mar 10 at 2022 12:31 PM

2022-03-10T12:31:13-05:00

SFC Banks and SFC Mullins.
I pulled few more crappy details then other trainees during first few weeks of my boot camp, and I complained about it by saying "It is not fair" to SGT Mullins.
SGT Mullins thought me the hard personal lesson about meaning of "Life is not fair", and I have never complain about fairness during my service (and after).

"Third Herd"

Response by Stephan Shroder Jr. made Mar 14 at 2022 8:41 PM

2022-03-14T20:41:24-04:00

Drill Sgt. Sirois. Absolutely the toughest man I have ever met. 5'7" maybe. Smoked the shit out of us. Absolutely led me through bayonet course in the fucking rain. Birth control glasses in the rain do not equal a successful bayonet course. Staff SGT Sirois motivated the shit out of me and quite frankly, terrified me at the same time.
That was 25 years ago and I still hear that fucker in my ears everyday.

Response by SPC Timothy Simonton made Mar 15 at 2022 6:41 AM

2022-03-15T06:41:40-04:00

SFC McGill, SSG Grissett & SSG Talamoa

Response by MSgt John Cina made Mar 15 at 2022 10:56 AM

2022-03-15T10:56:33-04:00

TSgt. Nielson!

Response by SFC Thomas Lindsey made Mar 15 at 2022 1:01 PM

2022-03-15T13:01:02-04:00

I remember faces, and only one name. One who was in charge of us, he was like a football coach, but really cool laid back and country like. He knew that we were suffering (August in Anniston, AL). Another screamed 'KILL A COMMIE FOR MOMMY' all day long. There were 2 females. One got her hat stomped in the mud by another Drill Sergeant and started crying. She also had bad rhythm and would screw up cadences and we'd all start messing up our marching. The other female was short and like an angry bulldog calling us 'hero' and 'Rambo'. She was actually pretty mean and we disliked her until halfway through basic we were all fighting who was going to marry her. She was really cool the last week and called us by our first names on the last day and told our parents that she highly respected us. Then there was Drill Sgt. Anderson. One of the biggest a-holes and a misuse of power (very young, going from E6 to E7 and had a huge chip on his shoulder and ego). Even the other drills hated him, it was obvious. He used to wake us up in the middle of the night and talk how he killed and buried privates. Or have NBC training randomly at 2 in the morning. Or take us to the pit at 11 at night cause he wouldn't be there the next day. All sorts of inappropriate crap. Taught me not to be like him, so there's that. The other drills let him belittle us and wreck our morale by pitting us against one another, they just didn't even want to be around him.

We did get a drill who look like Clint Eastwood and sounded like him from Heartbreak Ridge, so we all called him Clint behind his back. He replaced the football coach drill sergeant and when I had a meeting with him he noticed that I was from Daytona Beach, Florida. He asked me about the bikers, and I told him that the police need to get rid of the bikers, but I was just joking. This came after a biker got murdered by a cop ('88, I was in basic around the time it happened). He then told me he rode a Harley Davidson and then smoked me every single day until I left that place.

Yay, Ft. McClellan.....

Response by SPC Roland Flynn made Mar 15 at 2022 1:26 PM

2022-03-15T13:26:31-04:00

My drill sergeants were Marks, Snow, and Gailiard from Fort McClellan

Response by SGT Jonny Wright made Mar 16 at 2022 8:33 PM

2022-03-16T20:33:59-04:00

Fort Benning 2013 F 1-19
SFC Padron (spelling?)
SSG Theus
SSG Cortez-Guzman (Spelling?)
I wish I could remember the guys name from 3rd platoon though. Even though he wasn't our platoons DS, I think he made the biggest impact on me.
SFC Padron was a scary mf'r. The quite monotone type, didn't even have to yell, just fluctuate his voice a little.

Response by COL Robert Gilbert made Mar 16 at 2022 10:59 PM

2022-03-16T22:59:59-04:00

SSG Raun was my basic training Drill Sgt at Fort Bliss in march of 1977. He always had starched fatigues and never broke a sweat during our runs. I made squad leader my second week in Basic and he provided guidance throughout the remainder of Basic. However, about 4 weeks into Basic, we were in the field for a week during our weapon qualification, and SSG Raun took me to the company commander, at the CO's request. The CO wanted to speak to me about what to expect when I went to OCS after Basic. Well my secret was out and SSG Raun was on my butt for the remaining weeks of Basic. On the last day of Basic, following graduation, he pulled me aside and said I would make COL, before I retired from the Army.

Response by PVT Shane Conner made Mar 17 at 2022 1:09 AM

2022-03-17T01:09:14-04:00

Drill Sergeant Hoffman never cursed even while in your face, Drill Sergeant Dossite not sure about spelling of name, he was not of average height and must have thought he needed to prove something as he PT our asses harder, leading to a medical discharge with no options. 1999 Fort Knox 5/15 Cavs

Response by PVT Rick Reese made Mar 17 at 2022 1:12 PM

2022-03-17T13:12:39-04:00

Drill Sargeant Guzmon. He was my primary DS in basic at Ft. Lenardwood after graduating basic I went to Ft. Sill and while on CQ duty one night was cleaning the Sr Drill's office and noticed a picture of him on the wall. The next day I asked the Sr Drill about him. He asked if I knew Ssgt Guzmon all I said was there is no such animal as I can't. From that point on my Senior Drill Sargeant had the Drill Sargeants back off on me because I already had a hard enough basic training. I still catch myself telling my kids and grandkids there is no such animal as I can't. So figure it out. Both were great examples of leadership.

Response by Sgt Larry Howe made Mar 17 at 2022 10:00 PM

2022-03-17T22:00:05-04:00

TSGT Minfee. 1974 USAF basic. First question he asked us at 0200 when we arrived as rainbows was “who thinks they can kick my ass”

Response by AN Daniel C Begay made Mar 18 at 2022 12:29 AM

2022-03-18T00:29:05-04:00

Unfortunately my drill instructor was absent for most of basic, so we supported ourselves for most of BC. Of course he claimed the honor of training us at graduation. Through this adventure, we became our own leaders and support rather than dwell on an absent leader.

Response by SFC Larry Jones made Mar 18 at 2022 1:23 AM

2022-03-18T01:23:37-04:00

Old guy here. I went through basic at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO, in the summer of 1975, C-4-3. I am not going to attempt to name any names as I don't want to omit anyone. Our SDI was Special Forces. All of them had done tours in Vietnam. I strongly believe that improved the quality of our training. I have my doubts as to whether any of them are still around. If so, they would be quite old. How did it impact me? I stayed for 20+ and am now completely disabled. I dare any cocky young punk to think he can mug me and escape unscathed. Not happening.

Response by SGT Steven Hines made Mar 18 at 2022 10:44 AM

2022-03-18T10:44:02-04:00

45 years later still remember SFC Duran.

Response by Sgt Francis Santa-Teresa made Mar 18 at 2022 12:44 PM

2022-03-18T12:44:33-04:00

SSgt James Campbell, 3707th BMTS, FLT 064, Lackland AFB TX

Response by 1LT Allan Holder made Mar 18 at 2022 2:50 PM

2022-03-18T14:50:24-04:00

SSG Reed and SSG Trump, Upon meeting SSG. Trump he stated, " We don't shake hands and we don't make friends " There ain't but two things I give away, "that's hard dick and bubble gum, and I'm all out of bubble gum " it was June 1980, back when DI's could talk that way. Most all the DI's back then were Vietnam veterans. After basic and AIT, I went on to Jump school, that was a whole other experience. Some of the best time of my life.

Response by SP5 James "Art" Gunter made Mar 18 at 2022 3:34 PM

2022-03-18T15:34:59-04:00

SSG Roche was DS for our platoon in 1968 at Ft. Gordon. I don't believe we knew his first name. He was a real strac trooper, uniform was always perfect and he really knew his business. He gave us the confidence to do things we never thought we would ever be doing.

Response by LTC Hillary Luton made Mar 18 at 2022 5:12 PM

2022-03-18T17:12:01-04:00

Does anyone forget their drill sergeant? My drill sergeant was SFC Clifford Collins, and the asst. for our platoon was SSG Maggie Ross. They were both amazing and I would have followed them anywhere.

Response by SFC Rod Hone made Mar 18 at 2022 8:56 PM

2022-03-18T20:56:25-04:00

Sr. Drill Instructor Staff Sergeant Walker. Sgt.
Figueroa and Sgt Rodriguez.

Response by MSgt James "Buck" Buchanan made Mar 19 at 2022 2:48 PM

2022-03-19T14:48:33-04:00

Lackland AFB, TX, 1970...TSgt Shoemaker and SSgt Kreuger....Shoemaker was a talk and scream out of the corner of his mouth kind of guy, maybe trying to make up for being a little short; SSgt Kreuger was lacking in coordination when he tried to teach us how to march as the same side arm and leg always seemed to swing with each other. But, they got us through.

Response by SSG Paul Wingerter made Mar 19 at 2022 2:51 PM

2022-03-19T14:51:44-04:00

I attended OSUT at Fort Benning, Georgia from 4 November 1979 to 6 February 1980 assigned to D-2-1 at Harmony Church. My Drill Sergeants were SSG Manuel Sanchez and SGT Melvin Guinyard. SSG Sanchez was a Vietnam Veteran. They were very professional but would go off on my platoon like Nitro Glycerin. SSG Sanchez used to say with his Cuban-American Accent " You people are really starting to piss me off"! Another favorite of his was " I can feel it in my bones, I can feel it in my bones" ! SGT Guinyard would tell us that he was going to kill us but we knew it was all for effect ! They taught us well and we won everything at the end of the cycle with the highest scores and all Go's at AO Eagle( Performance oriented training final test).first in PT,BRM,ARM, D&C etc etc. Our first sergeant was 1SG Pena-Ojeda. During an inspection one day one soldier from my platoon was asked who the 1SG was and he says 1SG Penis- Ojeda! LOL! SSG Sanchez went off like a nuke ! SSG Frederick,another DS from another platoon would say " You people will be doing so many pushups you 'll think you're in Florida! All the Drills in our Company were very professional and most had been to Vietnam so knew that being tough with high standards but fair was the way to train us and turn us into the best Soldiers in the Army. The mental and physical toughness they instilled in us came to good use at Airborne school immediately upon graduation from Infantry OSUT.

Response by SSG Robert Vernon made Mar 19 at 2022 5:40 PM

2022-03-19T17:40:46-04:00

Oh I so remember my Drill Sergeant, he was Drill Sergeant Spivey he would get us up at 0300 for PT runs of about 3 miles, it later came out that Drill Sergeant would do this primarily when he was having issues at home with his wife and to handle the stress he would come in and take it out on us..I look back now and salute him for the early runs because now I run in marathons of about 26 miles yearly

Response by SP5 John Rivera made Mar 19 at 2022 5:59 PM

2022-03-19T17:59:44-04:00

The drill sergeant that stands out to me the most was Drill sergeant Jordan who stood about 6’5 and at zero far hours would throw the metal trash can by the fire guard station down the hall and scream out “ SQUARE AWAY MY EMPIREEEEEE!” My first encounter with him was when we were outside taking inventory of our civilian belongings we could have during basic and he said if you had any questions just hold up the item in the air and ask if it was ok to have at the time I had some Nike waffle racers with a yellow neon stripe and held it high and asked him if they were ok to keep and he yelled out to me who are you addressing and I said you. He ran over to me with a quickness and said “ you? A ewe if a female , I ain’t no female sheep! Front leaning rest position!!!! Knock ‘em out!!! After I knocked out about 30 he asked me who are you doing theses push-ups for and I didn’t know what to say because of the whole you thing, then I heard one of my ranger buddies yell out “say drill sergeant after every count! By that time I was reaching total muscle failure and collapsed!
Drill sergeant Jordan- Alpha 3/26 Ft. DIX
JUNE 1989

Response by SP5 John Rivera made Mar 19 at 2022 6:03 PM

2022-03-19T18:03:41-04:00

Drill sergeant Jordan,
Drill sergeant, Wilson
Drill sergeant , Armstrong
Drill sergeant Ellis- female, she was the nicest of all the D.s’s in the snake pit!

Response by CMDCM John F. "Doc" Bradshaw made Mar 19 at 2022 6:25 PM

2022-03-19T18:25:02-04:00

CPO Neely, May 1969, NTC Orlando, Fl

Response by SP6 Cole Tierney made Mar 19 at 2022 7:13 PM

2022-03-19T19:13:18-04:00

SSG R. Grey and SSG A. Vazquez. I had great respect for both of them. Sgt. Grey was a towering black man. Sgt. Vazquez was Puerto Rican. I developed a knack for impersonating Sgt. Vazquez. Word got around and I was asked to demonstrate this skill in front of the cadre in the field. Naturally I was terrified, but I did not disappoint. Everyone got a huge kick out of it including Sgt. Vazquez. At that point I realized I was part of a big family.

Response by Sgt Gina Hotard made Mar 19 at 2022 8:25 PM

2022-03-19T20:25:00-04:00

Ssgt Byrnes. Can’t forget her. Maybe 5’4” with Smokey Bear hat. If you can envision her saying the following statement with a Boston accent “Don’t f*ck with me or I’ll f*ck you like you’ve never been f*cked before. Don’t f*ck with me!” This statement stayed with me from there forward. Helped mold my own motto to keep doing my best as a female in the military and in civilian sector after

Response by GySgt Isaac Carlson made Mar 19 at 2022 9:13 PM

2022-03-19T21:13:36-04:00

Drill Instructors Sgt Catledge, Sgt Eigenbroge, Sgt Pieseneschi, SDI SSgt Hermon. Sgt Black (SgtMaj of the Marine corps)

Response by MSgt Gabe Torres made Mar 19 at 2022 10:04 PM

2022-03-19T22:04:50-04:00

I remember my TI very well. Her name was SSgt Vardell (I hope I spelled it correctly). I will never forget her - NEVER! One of the most memorable moments was when she took me out of the formation while marching back to the dorm and she told me to put two fingers in my nose and march through a female Flight that was marching towards my Flight. It was so embarrassing.

Response by MSgt Gabe Torres made Mar 19 at 2022 10:08 PM

2022-03-19T22:08:07-04:00

Response by SFC Terry Wilcox made Mar 19 at 2022 10:19 PM

2022-03-19T22:19:35-04:00

Yes, although it was August 1964 - about what - 6 or 7 weeks ago? His name was SSG FORD - a rather large, black, DI in Fort Ord, CA - I was a very young 17-year-old white person from a small town in Washington State - 98 pounds - soaking wet! I survived - if only out of sheer fear of failure - SSG FORD seemed like he would bite your head off if you even came close to failing. Let's see I'm 75 now and 17 then that's - goodness - a very long time to still remember someone. He's the only one I remember from Basic.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2022 11:25 PM

2022-03-19T23:25:56-04:00

SFC Scales. E 2-2 Ft. Leonard Wood Mo. summer of 1973.

Response by SFC Charles Willis made Mar 20 at 2022 2:37 PM

2022-03-20T14:37:42-04:00

My drill instructor was SFC Piegors was one hell of a drill. About 8 years later I PCS'D to Hawaii, the first voice I recognized was SFC Piegors who was 3rd Plarron Sgt. Talk about a small world, I ended up becoming his 3rd squad leader.

Response by CW4 Jeffrey White made Mar 21 at 2022 5:31 PM

2022-03-21T17:31:05-04:00

SFC Sergeant
SFC Christopher
SSG Trost

Response by TSgt Joseph Martines made Mar 21 at 2022 8:11 PM

2022-03-21T20:11:27-04:00

At Lackland AFB, Dec 2 1982 to 18 Jan 1983, 3702 BMTS - Flight 542: Tsgt. Dorshoots and Tsgt. Prado.
We were TSgt. Dorshoots last class as he was retiring from the USAF shortly after our graduation.
He was from Allentown PA about 90 miles south from me in Carbondale. I remember he made an Airman from Allentown flush his "YEAHS" down the toilet because he didn't understand the Sir, yes Sir concept. After about 15 minutes of yelling into the toilet then flushing it; he was summoned back to the flight. TSgt. Dorshoots asked him if he was fixed and He answered, YEAH. Needless to say he was back in the latrine for another session. He was good after that.
Tsgt. Prado was a reservist who was allowed to be on active duty. He was a Security Police - SS prior to becoming an Drill Instructor.
I ran into him in 1987 as he was PCSing to Aviano Italy and I was stationed at the Philadelphia IAP.
There was a MAC terminal there. They were both good guys. Tsgt. Dorshoots occasionally called me pest because I was a stickler for details. But whenever there was an important assignment he would always manage to volunteer me for it.
Our Squadron had a Senior Enlisted Advisor, SMSgt. Sandoval, he was a quiet kind of guy you don't want to mess with. Once during an open ranks inspection, he asked me what I was looking at as I was looking him directly in the eye (a major no-no). On a quick draw answer I said Sir, the Airman is looking at nothing. That went over like a fart in divers helmet. My butt must have tasted good because he chewed on it for about a week. I had to pull Squadron CQ duty in the orderly room which was in his domain. I discovered that he was a really cool guy after I gave him the solution to what was ailing his Volvo. All in all, basic training was an interesting time of my life. I remember seeing girls after 3 weeks with their OD eye shadow to match their fatigues. Another exciting time would be while we were eating in the dining hall; the DI's had their own area. We called it "the snake pit". Some lowly airmen would wander too close to it and sucked in. The DIs would feast on them like a gazelle. I recall when an AB saluted them. Talk about it hitting the fan. If you didn't live it you'd never believe it.
I had some good laughs thinking about basic training and writing this.

Response by SGT David Kist made Mar 21 at 2022 9:39 PM

2022-03-21T21:39:16-04:00

SR Drill SFC Nesmith and SSG Gronsberg FT Jackson 1995 Delta 2/39 Inf co

Response by SGT Forrest Stewart made Mar 21 at 2022 9:42 PM

2022-03-21T21:42:38-04:00

SSG Fielder. He was a straight up jackass.

Response by SP5 Dennis Loberger made Mar 21 at 2022 10:30 PM

2022-03-21T22:30:11-04:00

DS Ogan and DS Hall

Response by PVT Shane Conner made Mar 22 at 2022 4:39 AM

2022-03-22T04:39:52-04:00

Sir, your outlook will have an impact on those who did not have someone throughout some of those years we’re it would have had an impact on them, myself for an example, had some what of a Family Unit and my mom did her best with three kids as I was the oldest. My dad Served in the Air Force, his dad in the Army and his Step Dad in the Marines, my dad grew up under his step dad and he was a mean son of a blank. My child, I remember my dad always working and when laid off he was working side jobs or on cars in the garage. I was held more accountable for things that were not my fault, I was involved with church activities, played sports and also never around the house till the street lights game on. I was a volunteer in a nursing home, I took Tae Kwon Do, I did activities with the Salvation Army, all this just to avoid being at home because my dad was always drinking as well, so I looked to others to fill that role I guess or just learned from those that I become to know, as well as learning and watching on how all the coaches I have had in my years of growing up. My dad was their but absent as he did not come to any of my games. Did I hate him? yes, but I loved him. If I was not shown any love, caring and how to forgive than I cannot say how I would have been nor were I would be.
Before my Decision in joining the Army, my sister was a member at a gym and became friends with Body Builders that participated in Competitions, my Friend talked me into joining and in which I had to lose some weight and get back in shape. My Sister introduced me to three guys and one of them was in the Marines and earned the Title Mr. Indiana in a Competition, these guys helped me get to we’re I needed to be. Within a few months of OSUT at Fort Knox, I received a medical discharge. My Drill Sergeants, DS Hoffman, DS French, and the last one I can remember in which, he lead to the medical discharge, was, DS Dossite (?) unsure how to spell his last name. There were a few others but cannot recall. DS Hoffman never cursed, even when, in your face yelling but for the most part, the Drill’s, respected us meaning that when we were doing drills, PT they were just drill sergeants, before lights out and while on fire watch, they were humble and spoke to us on a respected level and as to joke around as well. That changed after getting Drill Sergeant Dosittie assigned to the Company after his graduation, meaning more intense PT and Drills.
A year after being Discharged, while employed with the Dept of Corrections, One of the guys that helped me join the Army became employed at the Facility i was at. He quickly climb the ranks, at first I didn’t like how he was when he became a sergeant, so I promoted up as to not wanting to work under him. He than promoted to Lt. and once in this position his demeanor changed. I still did not like his Character in how he went about situations and was not seeing as to why he was that way. Few years later he promoted to Captain, at this stage of his career and with me still observing things, due to a Traumatic Brain Injury, my views began to change from what I remembered and knew of him. It was at that time, I actually saw that he was leading but not as an example, I saw the example part when he became a Captain. I also had learned and observed different things from different Supervisors at the Facility, and learned that Leading Teaching and than holding one accountable for their actions based on the situation and information given or have become to know, it’s what one does with that information in how it will be dealt with and if it was handled respectfully than the person in which received it would follow you. There is also a down side that you cannot allow yourself to get caught up in as well, this one is to easy to do and one may not see that they are being this way because they don’t see themselves like that because he thinks he his still leading and teaching, but what I have observed throughout my Careers is that each one has a favorite/s and or treats one favorable than others. This i feel is due to manipulation by someone who plays off the Supervisors interest and uses it as a means to think they maybe gaining the upper hand over other fellow employees. This I have seen and have seen three different Supervisors that I have learned from while at the Prison, develop clicks, and if you were not a part of any clicks, meaning you hung out with certain individuals and only told things to one particular Supervisor, than you were on your own, but was still respected amongst others and Supervisors but discipline was followed through with unlike if it was someone that was favored by a Supervisor more because that Supervisor wanted that individual to go to him with issues or other stuff. Some Supervisors know what they are doing and some get lost or caught up with the individual of who is gaslighting them. I call this “special privileges for special people” because they have good lip service/now how to talk/interact with the supervisor they like.
To sum up your question, I wish I could have remembered a DI that played a important part that would have helped impact my Time in the Military as to help shape me into the person I am today. Firm Fair and Consistency will have a Great Impact on an individual who carries this but also teach individuals, without resorting to the first steps of discipline, than that person will become a Great Mentor, Leader, Supervisor. Let’s not to forget, that one needs to have an idea or have been shown the foundations that will later help them grow to become that Leader. What I mean about foundation is, learning respect, caring, love, and knowing how to forgive someone. If one does not have someone to look up to and learn from, than joins the Military, I can assume that there would be a 50% chance that you will have a few individuals that will, become better as a person due to how that drill instructor conducted himself.

I hope that this was what you have asked and apologize for taking the long way around the tracks to get to the station, as this is part of my Disability and Hope that all can understand what I am saying.

Thank You
Shane Conner

Response by SFC Richard Baerlocher made Mar 23 at 2022 6:56 PM

2022-03-23T18:56:55-04:00

My Drill Sergeants were SFC Rangel, and Sgt Springwater. sergeant Springwater had not yet attended Drill Sergeant Training, and found a way to return to Vietnam instead. SFC Rangel was a great example diring Basic Trainin, but after while I was in AIT, he and our Mess Sergeant went out drinking on a Saturaday night, and did not get to work on Sunday when theyuy were supposed to. We as Trainees had the bad rtask of covering for them. We thn learned from the Battalion Commander that we should never have been placed in that position to cover for our leaders.

Response by PFC Greg Ortiz made Mar 24 at 2022 11:30 AM

2022-03-24T11:30:05-04:00

never forget them. SSGT Gorden and SGT Tucker

Response by SPC James Seigars made Mar 27 at 2022 8:08 PM

2022-03-27T20:08:59-04:00

Even though it is kind of blurry, I have this photo of my Drill Sergeants and I on Graduation Day 1985. The one on the left of me is DS Gadsdon which I remember because I went to Basic at Fort McClellan, in Gadsden Al. And the one on my left is DS Lefrancois (Lee France wha) which I remember because when we first got to Basic they made us say his name over and over again (Drill Sergeant Lefrancois, say it. Drill Sergeant Lefrancois, say it) so that we didn’t mispronounce it while in training. I went through during the time basic was transitioning from “old school” Vietnam style to “new school” present day style, so I had them putting a foot on my back, but not allowed to take me behind the barracks for “counseling”. Most young people can’t deal with Basic as it is, much less the way it was then especially at 6 feet and 145 pounds. But I did. They tried to get us to quit & when we didn’t they started helping us to be the best we could. I remember one other recruit was overweight & he would make himself a big plate of food & I would make a small one when we first got there. The DS’s would only let him eat what I had on my plate & make me eat everything he had on his plate. I ended up gaining 15 pounds & he lost enough to make weight to graduate. It was one of the toughest times in my life, but it also was one of the most cherished thanks to the both of them. I wish I had Sergeants like them around when I screwed up & got demoted to give me a kick in the backside and help me get that rank back & maybe more. Unfortunately Soldiers like them had long since retired by 2006.

Response by SFC Thomas Gottschalk made Apr 12 at 2022 12:21 PM

2022-04-12T12:21:29-04:00

SFC Clarence Baptiste

Response by SGT Carl Brown Jr. made Apr 18 at 2022 7:14 PM

2022-04-18T19:14:00-04:00

E Co. 2/47 Ft. Benning, GA Aug-Oct 06. The only DS of mine I remember Was DS Jason Fish, 5'1" and 145 pounds of pure fury. He stayed in our asses but he was with us every step of the way. I didn't realize it until years after, but he was everything I wanted to model as a leader.

Response by SR Kenneth Beck made Apr 19 at 2022 7:56 PM

2022-04-19T19:56:16-04:00

My boot camp Company Commander was a Chief Petty Officer with four gold hash marks. I was caught by a Navy Lieutenant smoking a cigarette while guarding a clothesline on mid watch. The chief called me into his office and chewed me out. He told me they may take away his gold hash marks because of me. I felt really bad.

Response by SFC Darwin Maring made Apr 25 at 2022 11:48 AM

2022-04-25T11:48:57-04:00

SSG Tahallie, Fort Hood Sep 1960.

Response by SPC Robert Bobo made Apr 26 at 2022 1:00 PM

2022-04-26T13:00:31-04:00

I remember the sr drill instructor, SFC Strayhorn, a total bad ass who took profanity to an art form, loved the guy , great teacher!

Response by PO1 Todd Walters made Apr 27 at 2022 6:45 AM

2022-04-27T06:45:46-04:00

I jad. Mutt and jeff type drill instructors. One was a electrician mates 1st class the other a machinstmate 1st class. The em1 was short as sh** and the MM1 was tall as a skyscraper. Was funny to see them walk in. Yet they were fair and consistent

Response by 1SG Victor Sotil made Apr 28 at 2022 8:32 AM

2022-04-28T08:32:02-04:00

The one and only Randy Walker, later on I see him as CSM. Funny story, DS Walker was my DS in 1/81 Armor Fort Knox Ky in 1985. In 1995 I became DS and I used the very same office as my DS.

Response by SGM Ronald Cheatom made May 7 at 2022 6:33 PM

2022-05-07T18:33:57-04:00

SFC Landers, an Infantryman, he served with the Americal Division in Nam, and SFC Reese, he was an Artilleryman.

Response by SPC Richard Rauenhorst made May 12 at 2022 10:06 AM

2022-05-12T10:06:07-04:00

My drill Sargent had seen hand to hand combat in Vietnam and missed a fair number of days. He knew what was important in training and I had a lot of respect for him as a person and as a drill Sargent.
Remember this, What I wanted to get out of basic training was myself. I did not want to miss the training I signed up for. 96D2T.

Response by CWO3 Robert Fong made May 16 at 2022 4:11 PM

2022-05-16T16:11:32-04:00

CSM: Here is the straight skinny on my experience at the Hawaiian Infantry Training Center, USARHAW Quad "I", Schofield Bks Hawaii. On our first day after getting off the bus we lined up in formation. There were only four kinds of "cruits" that day; RA, US, FR, and NG. Guess who were the "Acting Jacks" and who were the Goats. Beside the normal required training such as CBR, KD Range, Rifle, Pistol, .30 Cal Air Cooled MG, BAR, Bazooka, 81mm mortar, .50 cal MG, Bayonet Training, Combat First Aid, PT, FT, Sqd, and Plt tactics, communications, Personal Health, Safety and Nutrition, UCMJ, POW, and various other events thrown in. Now, no training program is complete without seeing just what you have and will you break under pressure. So, we started off with Chinese Fire Drills, when you went to the Mess Hall you did not tell the cook what you wanted, you took what they gave you. You went to the table and sat on the first inch of the chair; the rest belonged to Uncle Sam. You low crawled across the quad and picked up anything that wasn't green. Each day you ran the hill. That would be Kolekole Pass where the cooks gave you ice cold drinks at the top and you paid for it all the way down. Bayonet training was instructional, but for added emphasis any "cruit" that failed to pay attention was brought up to the Instructor's Stand, his scabbard removed, told to go "On guard." He was told to attack and when he did the Instructor would parry left and give him a light vertical butt stroke and slash; the point of his bayonet got the "cruit's" attention. It was not uncommon to be on the receiving end of a DI's 11-1/2 boot. God help you if they found any Poggi Bait during full field, wall locker, and footlocker inspections. No PX, Theater, or out of Quad activities until AIT. No Time Out Cards, you were recycled until you became a troop. Oh, in case you'd like to know what "Charlie" or the NVA would do to you, your training at the East Range POW Camp wised you up really quick. In the end, day before graduation the DIs said they were hard on us, because the enemy will be harder. Their job was to make sure that when we came home, we could put our grandkids on our knees and tell them about the "Big One." They believed they failed if some mother or wife got "that telegram" that Johnny wasn't coming home. I'm glad I got some kick ass, hard core, training and I knew none of what the DIs did was personal, just professional because they cared. Trust me, the enemy will not give anyone a "Time Out" card.

As an officer in the Coast Guard and also during my enlisted days at SAR Stations and during Desert Storm I did not fear the mission or the conditions because I was ready for it all.

Response by Sgt Chuck Gardner made May 22 at 2022 10:33 AM

2022-05-22T10:33:15-04:00

My Drill Instructors were Tsgt Jennings and A1c Draa. Lackland AFB August 1964. I was pretty wet behind the ears and I grew up a lot in those weeks of basic. My only saving grace was the fact that I fired Expert on the rifle range and was pretty good on the obstacle course.

Response by SSgt David M. made May 22 at 2022 8:01 PM

2022-05-22T20:01:09-04:00

I remember a Sergeant White, kind of a chunky SFC. I was always amazed that he was able to keep up with all us young Trainees in Basic. I was one of the Rear Road Guards. When I was assigned that position my instructions were to scream as loud as possible if any vehicle ran me over! We also had two other Drill Sergeants that I remember SGT Feuker and SSG Davis. They did a lot to help everyone get through. ;-)

Response by A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney made May 22 at 2022 8:30 PM

2022-05-22T20:30:57-04:00

Although I Don't Recall Their Names Off Hand,
I got Really Pissed At The Assistant T.I & Went After Him.
Fortunately, For ME; Two Other Trainees Grabbed Me & Held Me Back.
3 Years Pass & I'm Stepping Off The Plane To My Final Duty Assignment, In South Korea.
Who's Standing Out There Waiting To Pick Up A New Troop Coming In?
YUP, The Assistant T.I. From Basic.
Almost Simultaneously We Spotted Each Other & Just Cracked Up.
We Talked For Awhile & I Asked Him: "How Could You Remember Me,
With All The Other Whom You Were Training All Those Years"?
To Which He Replied "I Was Only A T.I. For Two Years
And You Were The Only One Dumb Enough To Come After Me"....LOL.

Response by SrA Tracy Leviner made May 29 at 2022 9:40 AM

2022-05-29T09:40:03-04:00

Ft . Bliss , Texas 1985 . A-3-1 . Chaparral Missile Crewman . My Drill Sergeants were DS Flake , DS Hodges , and DS Maldonado . I did 4 years Active Duty Army and 6 years Air Force Reserve .

Response by CPL Amie Mclaughlin made Jun 16 at 2022 8:55 AM

2022-06-16T08:55:14-04:00

Staff Sgt Jessy Lee, Staff Sgt Cunningham both had to put up with a 36 year old recruit

Response by SGT Timothy Posemato made Jun 16 at 2022 4:11 PM

2022-06-16T16:11:04-04:00

SFCByrd, Ft Ord, Jan 6 1972. I'll always remember him when we got off that cattle car, he looked 9'5" tall, 400 lbs of solid muscle screaming in our faces to drop down and give him 25. I knew he was the biggest baddest mother in the whole Army. I'll always have respect for him, I went into basic at 18 and got out 8 weeks later acting like I was 25. I grew and matured more in 8 weeks than I did in 18 years.

Response by 1LT Robert Stevenson made Jun 25 at 2022 3:26 PM

2022-06-25T15:26:51-04:00

Our drill Sergeant was a Puerto Rican with 20-years service who retired at the end of our cycle. Despite a strong accent that was difficult for us to understand he was very good at his job , very fair in his treatment and we really liked and appreciated him. AT the end of our cycle we took up a small collection for a retirement gift.

Response by SFC Rod Hone made Jun 26 at 2022 9:33 PM

2022-06-26T21:33:25-04:00

Sr. Drill Instructor Staff Sergeant Walker. Sgt.Figueroa, Sgt Rodriguez

Response by SSG Roy Thomas made Jun 28 at 2022 8:57 PM

2022-06-28T20:57:57-04:00

His name is SFC Stalsberg E-15-4 FORT Knox Kentucky OCT 1984. very stern and fair this was when they used to slap you around when you got out a line . Even though had alot of respect for him.

Response by MSgt Earl King made Jul 4 at 2022 1:21 PM

2022-07-04T13:21:39-04:00

Don't remember, too terrified!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2022 7:35 PM

2022-08-03T19:35:55-04:00

I went to Basic Training and AIT (11B) the summer of 1984 at Ft Benning The My DI's were SSG Rodriguez and SFC O'Guinn. I was 17 and terrified by those two. They were a great part of making me a man along with family members.

Response by CMDCM Gene Treants made Aug 4 at 2022 2:05 AM

2022-08-04T02:05:24-04:00

SHC George Karahos, Company 668, Great Lakes, IL. Formed 10 November 1966. I am directly to the Chief's left

The impact CHief Kaharos made on me was immediate and long-lasting. He picked the Company Petty Officers from looking at forms we filled out and a short interview. This taught me to be brief and fast in my decisions and trust my gut in making them. Gather information and then make a decision, never second guess myself. Once he picked us, he trained us in what was expected and then let us do our jobs. He did not micromanage any of us, however, one person was replaced after only a few days. He called the rest of us in after the replacement and explained why.

One time I made a decision that was wrong. it was based on my desires not the best interests of the company. The Chief corrected me in private and assigned me EMI. Once the EMI was completed, I was back in his full confidence. See the lessons there?

During the next 30 years of my career, I often relied on the lessons learned in Basic. That included the proper handling of a rifle that I learned in my 40 hours of EMI. I taught firearms handling to the Sea Cadets.

Response by SSG Dave Simon made Aug 4 at 2022 5:47 AM

2022-08-04T05:47:38-04:00

Drafted and reported to the reception center at Ft. Knox. When the DI’s came to get us and formed us into platoons, I thought someone had changed my name to Dick.

Response by LCpl Gary Hein made Aug 4 at 2022 5:51 AM

2022-08-04T05:51:50-04:00

Senior drill instructor Gunnery sergeant Gholston, Ssgt Funkhouser, Ssgt Lewalan, Delta Co, Platoon 1118, MCRD, SAN DIEGO, To this day I think of Funkhouser alit, what a badass Kool diehard mofo he was....superior craftsmanship was given to his every calculated breath!! Good times I will never forget any of my brothers freekin fuckin outstanding

Response by SSG Bill Myers made Aug 4 at 2022 9:07 AM

2022-08-04T09:07:56-04:00

Drill SGT Beery and Drill SGT Galvin, drill sgt beery would make u do cannon cockers if u screwed up

Response by GySgt Clint Green made Aug 4 at 2022 10:01 AM

2022-08-04T10:01:06-04:00

Mender the mind bender, let the games begin

Response by A1C Gregory Gilles made Aug 4 at 2022 7:05 PM

2022-08-04T19:05:47-04:00

SA Barney Schockly

Response by PO3 Jim Polichak made Aug 4 at 2022 10:39 PM

2022-08-04T22:39:51-04:00

My Company Commander at GLakes in 1974 was an 18 year drunk EM1 pushing recruits while he was waiting for a spot to open up for him so he could re-enlist again to get his pension.
While we were there he took the Chief's exam expecting to fail like the other five times he failed BUT this time the bulk of the exam was on Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation. He passed with flying colors as did several thousand First Class drunks and drug addicts.

Response by Capt Mark Miller made Aug 5 at 2022 12:53 AM

2022-08-05T00:53:29-04:00

Unfortunately, in AFROTC, we had Field Training with FTOs, Captains who were NOT trained Drill Sergeants. I learned little valuable after being told we would receive helpful information about our possible careers. The first weekend when they had EVERYONE marching Tours for demerits, we whistled the theme from Bridge on the River Kwai, which pissed them off mightily. A three-day mini-survival school taught by some NCOs was informative. This was during the later portion of the Viet Nam War. Besides a Fill In Box checkmark, it had little career development about being an Officer and did little to make us Warriors. You Fight Like You Train. My later Law Enforcement Academies were much tougher and taught survival skills. A sad commentary on Officer Development.

Response by PO3 Jim Polichak made Aug 5 at 2022 2:57 AM

2022-08-05T02:57:15-04:00

My farther was a boot at Fort Dix before the War (1940).
He and his platoon had just been given their first lesson with a rifle and the primary lesson was NEVER point a gun at anyone because it might be loaded.
Within five minutes the Sgt has them in a circle around him so he could show the boots the parts of the rifle. When he pointed it at a boot in the circle my farther disarmed him.
He was brought to the CO by the MP's one of whom had witnessed the incident for NJP.
Long story short, my father was released and the Sgt spent the week parading the grounds for cigarette butts.
Because of bad eyesight he couldn't re-enlist for the War but spend the War putting rivets in planes at Republic Aviation in Farmingdale on Long Island.

Response by SGT Chris Culifer made Aug 5 at 2022 3:25 PM

2022-08-05T15:25:51-04:00

Drill Sergeant Fernandez
Fort Bliss, Texas
Middle summer 1969
After AIT Fort Gordon Georgia
199th /1st Cav
Grunt-Viet Nam 1970

Response by SGT David Kazmierski made Aug 5 at 2022 3:52 PM

2022-08-05T15:52:18-04:00

B-1-2. Sgt (E-5) Archie, and SFC (E-7) - damn can picture him but can't think of his name this 10 secs.

Response by Sgt Ivan Boatwright made Aug 5 at 2022 5:30 PM

2022-08-05T17:30:19-04:00

Staff Sgt. Clawson and Cpl. Rudy is the main two I remember.

Response by SSgt Don Porter made Aug 5 at 2022 5:42 PM

2022-08-05T17:42:06-04:00

Last names Butts and Glade, Ft McClellan 1983

Response by SSgt Thomas Lackey made Aug 5 at 2022 10:09 PM

2022-08-05T22:09:59-04:00

My TI was A1C Koko at Amarillo AFB because Lackland AFB has a spinal meningitis outbreak so basic was moved to Amarillo. Koko had just gotten married in San Antonio so after a few days he took off to visit his new bride. I was in morning formation with the rest of my flight when the TI TSgt VanPatton from the other side of the barracks kicked me in the butt and said "Get out there! You're the dorm chief." I had never been told that. I knew some of what to do because I had been in Army ROTC at my university and a brother in the military fraternity Pershing Rifles before dropping out of college. For the next month I as an airman basic TI and proud to say our flight was #1 in that training class - the guys responded well to having "one of us" as their TI. Must say though, not very popular with the other TIs in the quadrangle.

Response by SSG Harry Herres made Aug 5 at 2022 10:57 PM

2022-08-05T22:57:53-04:00

Sgt. Rex Cobb, we were honor platoon for the cycle. Most of us were military brats all RA. He got his Smoky Hat the night before graduation for the Parade. Great job young man, we busted are butt for him!

Response by PFC Douglas Stutz made Aug 6 at 2022 11:30 AM

2022-08-06T11:30:45-04:00

DS Powell( SSG) DS Christenson (SSG) i can't remember the senior Drill he was an SFC 6-16 Ctrp
3rd platoon 60ct1989 to 13DEC1989 Ft Knox KY DS Powell was the "Top Dog" of the "Mad Dogs" the ONLY DS that would walk around holdin' his shit (his crotch) and tell ya "Your Shit's Holdin' Prtivate!" he was a REAL influence for my training and a person i will NEVER FORGET! DS Christenson came to us about mid way through the cycle and was ALWAYS mentioning "The Communist Hoard". the platoon chipped in at the end of the cycle and bought him his first Stetson DS Hat and we got dropped in our class A uniforms as a thank you but we did them proudly

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2022 6:49 PM

2022-08-07T18:49:57-04:00

I remember SFC Benitez and SSG Saragoza. Ft. Bliss, TX 1992

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2022 7:22 PM

2022-08-07T19:22:02-04:00

Technical Sergeant Stangle. Direct impact: The proper technique to paint rocks prior to a VIP visit!

Response by SPC James Cooke made Aug 7 at 2022 8:26 PM

2022-08-07T20:26:52-04:00

SSG Tunison
SSG De Dios
SSG Oberle

SSG Tunison didn't (allegedly) know I was in his platoon until the last FTX. Also didn't write an essay on purpose that was due before graduating. We made eye contact and we both knew I wasn't writing it. I planned on writing a thesis then a dissertation, but forgot what the topic was.

Response by SSG Frank Bova made Aug 8 at 2022 12:41 PM

2022-08-08T12:41:01-04:00

Ft. Gordon GA, 1967 SFC Paton. What a name for a DS

Response by PFC William Mower made Aug 9 at 2022 2:40 PM

2022-08-09T14:40:07-04:00

I cant remember their names but I remember the most important lesson I have ever been taught. To never give up face all challenges as new possibilities.

Response by BG Mike Bridges made Aug 10 at 2022 2:13 AM

2022-08-10T02:13:58-04:00

SSG's McKinley and Jones.

Response by SFC Thomas Silveria made Aug 21 at 2022 3:52 PM

2022-08-21T15:52:38-04:00

Basic Cadet Training Flight Leader: Cadet 1st Lieutenant Kent F. Johnson. He said, "You will always remember your first BCT flight leader." He was tough, but he also expressed disappointment, and check up on our wellbeing.

Response by SFC Thomas Silveria made Aug 21 at 2022 3:53 PM

2022-08-21T15:53:09-04:00

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Aug 24 at 2022 6:55 AM

2022-08-24T06:55:20-04:00

My Drill Sergeant in November 1974 at Fort Leanard Wood, Missouri was SSG Robert Ford in Delta
Company 1st Battalion, 3rd Regiment. My senior Drill Sergeant was SFC James Ferguson.
Drill Sergeant Robert Ford reminded me that President Gerald Rudolph Ford Jr. was president and he was my drill sergeant that I was an insult to both of them:-)
FYI LTC Trent Klug LTC Stephen C. MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D. CPT Private RallyPoint Member SFC Jim Ruether COL Charles Williams 1SG Dan Capri CH (MAJ) Thomas Conner CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member SPC Americo Garcia LTC Private RallyPoint Member CMDCM John F. "Doc" Bradshaw SSgt David M. CMDCM Gene Treants MSG Greg Kelly SFC Private RallyPoint Member LTC Bink Romanick CSM Charles Hayden SPC Gary C.

Images:
1. 2nd Platoon, D-1-3 Drill Sergeant SSG Robert Ford
2. 1974-12 Ft Leonard Wood, MO - D-1-3 Basic Training - Pvt Stephen Ford relaxing on bunk
3. 1975-01-23 Ft Leonard Wood, MO - Graduation Photo for Basic Training for Private Stephen Ford
4. 1975-03 FT Leonard Wood, MO - view of D-1-3 barracks where I did Basic Training
5. Drill Sergeants for 2nd Platoon, D-1-3 SFC James Ferguson and SSG Robert Ford.

Response by SFC Jim Ruether made Aug 24 at 2022 11:37 AM

2022-08-24T11:37:49-04:00

DI Knuckles, DI Swan, DI Sergeant,

Response by SMSgt Anil Heendeniya made Aug 24 at 2022 6:44 PM

2022-08-24T18:44:36-04:00

Team Leader: SSgt Matthew Cho: short guy, all muscle. Black belt in Judo. Before he said a single word, he walked down the aisle with a direct stare at each one of us, then stopped, wheeled around, and planted a perfect upward kick to one of the bed's posts, sending the post cap flying upword, and the bed barely moved an inch. Then he said quietly, "I'm Staff Sergeant Matthew Cho, your lead TI. Do NOT get on my bad side." That's all it took for him to get our respecful attention. Turned out to be a great guy.
The team member, Sgt Skinner, who became known as the "red-headed asshole," was an abusive, power-hungry dipstick who (I found out months later) was terminated two months after we graduated, after he'd caught a kid smoking in the latrine, then trapped him inside his locker and ordered him to smoke the entire pack inside it. The dorm chief ran for help, and Skinner was fired on the spot, and subsequently busted to A1C. The kid ended up in the ER.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2022 1:52 AM

2022-08-26T01:52:18-04:00

For the platoon and company I graduated with, (eg: I had an injury, and so did not graduate with my original platoon and company), I remember all of them, as well as the company commander. The Sr. DI. was Sgt. Wilson. The juniors were: Sgt. Currier, Sgt. Tanner, and Sgt. Tugman. Company Cmdr. was Capt. Goben. I ran into Sgt. Currier, (who had been promoted to SSgt.), 4 1/2 years later aboard the USS Essex....along with a guy I had grown up with who lived just 4 houses down from me. I went to boot camp in 89', and graduated in 90'. I even remember one of the names of one of the DI's. in MRP. Eg: Sgt. Kruger, (and yes, we [secretly] called him "Freddy"). I spent a total of 6 months in boot camp due to my injury. Ironically, the one thing I can't remember, is my platoon number. But I was in 2nd Battalion, "G" company.

Response by SPC Brent Mcdonald made Aug 31 at 2022 6:55 PM

2022-08-31T18:55:45-04:00

Sgt Perez. He liked to call everyone Frank. He also liked to to say "You best wake the hell up!" My favorite was one night after lights out, he heard someone talking. He stormed into the bay room and scream "You best wake the hell up and go to sleep Frank!!!" Couldn't get to sleep for an hour after that.

Response by SGT Katherine Iwatiw Menges made Sep 11 at 2022 2:52 PM

2022-09-11T14:52:16-04:00

I took basic training in 1984, so I don't remember my drill sergeant's name, but I remember how she made me feel. I was five feet tall, and this woman was an inch or two shorter than me, but I looked at her like she was the tallest person on this planet. I knew if she could do all those military things, I could do all those military things.

Response by SSG Roy Thomas made Oct 5 at 2022 12:25 PM

2022-10-05T12:25:49-04:00

My drill Sergeant was Sargeant First Class Stalsberg .Fort Knox Kentucky E-15-4

Response by SPC Kenneth James made Oct 16 at 2022 2:35 AM

2022-10-16T02:35:15-04:00

I had two one was great and the other showed me what kind of soldier I didn't want to be first was drill sergeant Hand that man could not motivate a ant his uniform was never creased or well wearing and all he ever did cadence was tiny bubbles wow then there was drill sergeant Scroggins ex marine changed army could that guy count cadence and always squared away he put so much determination in me he also made me not like the song one on one by hall and oats because I got caught singing in the mess hall instead of eating lol boy did he grass drill me to death but he never let me quit on anything he saw something of course I didn't in myself will never forget those two ( now my recruiters now that is a whole other story lmao)

Response by TSgt David Olson made Oct 17 at 2022 3:57 PM

2022-10-17T15:57:10-04:00

SSGT Garman, USA, Korean War veteran, CIB, Purple Heart and other ribbons I don’t remember. Tough, very, strict discipline, sometimes physical. I took everything he could dish out. It always had a purpose. His training stood me well in Vietnam, where I made corporal. Twenty plus years later as a Military Training Instructor for basics at Lackland AFB, there would be times that I remembered my Army basic training DI.

Response by SGT Martin Tidd made Nov 14 at 2022 7:23 AM

2022-11-14T07:23:20-05:00

19D OSUT Ft. Knox Nov. '84- Mar. '85. Drill Sergeants were SSG Urtz, SSG Cole and SGT Klett. Senior Drill was SFC Moore. The fact that I remember them by name 38 years later says it all. I still remember SFC Moorestomping up and down yelling "You people are about to piss me the fuck off! I'm gonna bust your liver strings!" Still not sure what a liver string is.

Response by SPC Rodney Boyd made Nov 16 at 2022 7:48 PM

2022-11-16T19:48:19-05:00

SFC Lasatter, 23 March 1987…25July1987…. The good ole days!!!

Response by SSG Gregg Mouritzen made Nov 26 at 2022 5:25 AM

2022-11-26T05:25:03-05:00

Drill Sarget Baise - "Who you tryin' to kill Private?!!!, Who you trying to kill?!!!"
Drill Sargent Munn - Nice guy, his disappointment usually straightened everyone out.
Drill Sargent Macinally - Could kill you with a stare. Someone was sure to be pushing, when he came into the room
F 1/46 Ft Knox, Ky - 3rd PLT - WARLORDS!!!

Honorable Mention to 4th Plt Drill Sargent Walker, Every Exercise/ Smoke session, he was doing it with us, and could go longer and faster than everyone.

Response by Sgt Steven Baldwin made Jan 4 at 2023 2:34 AM

2023-01-04T02:34:26-05:00

TSGT Pike and SSGT Massy will forever be "bigger than life" in my memory. Strong, stern, professionals that I still have the greatest respect for! 50 years later and I'm still telling the story about how we did PT in 100-110 degree heat wearing fatigues and jump boots (no shorts and running shoes) while SSGT Masey was dressed in a custom cut khaki uniform with taps on his shoes, (can still hear his heels clicking together) he almost always ran with us and I never, NEVER, saw him break a sweat! I enlisted at 17 so I might of been a little impressionable. lol

Response by SGT Dan Rogers made Feb 14 at 2023 9:47 PM

2023-02-14T21:47:15-05:00

At Fort Jackson my platoon senior drill was SFC Roger Deibien he was tuff and waid no more than 120 pounds. second was SSG Ralph Hauser from Texas, the Sgt E5 Robert Artrup he was a tough cookie. He used to be a senior NCO but had a run in with some officer and was reduced to E5. This was all back in the 70's and I still remember them well even the sound of their voices still.

Response by SSG John Whalen made Aug 11 at 2023 10:20 AM

2023-08-11T10:20:42-04:00

Can't forget those DI's. SSG BRADSHAW, SSG TEETS, SSG DONAHUE . All were Airborne 12b and I think they enjoyed pinning our castles on our lapels at graduation. They had warned us if they were pinning them on us they were drawing blood. I still laugh about it as they tried inconspicuously!

Response by SP5 John Banket made Sep 23 at 2023 8:55 AM

2023-09-23T08:55:36-04:00

SSG Wardel Payne Fort Gordon Ga. E 2 1. He was tough, but not overly so. I was having trouble with the rifle movements on day. He asked me "Why did I join the Army:? I circled my right index finger around my right ear and said coo! coo!. He had a good laugh., and said you're all right Banket!