Why can't Guardsmen become Drill Sergeants?

2016-04-30T03:13:13-04:00

Why can't Guardsmen become Drill Sergeants? Are there any opportunities to perform the duty temporarily (like an ADOS or AGR job)? I would love to train and mentor new soldiers some day as a leader and NCO. I would also LOVE to be an OSUT PSG for 12B (combat engineer) school. Is that any different than regular Drill Sergeant duty?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2016 3:31 AM

2016-04-30T03:31:43-04:00

I am not aware of an opportunity in the National Guard, however, it is available in the reserves. The US Army Reserves offers the same once a month training weekend and AT as the National Guard, but does have Drill Instructor units. They have ADOS opportunities but typically do their 2-4 week Annual Training on rotation in Basic Training units. More information available at: http://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/current-and-prior-service/continue-serving/army-reserve-prior-service/army-reserve-drill-sergeants.html

Army Reserve Drill Sergeants

Army Reserve Drill Sergeants lead incoming Soldiers in Basic Combat Training. They serve as advisors, instructors and evaluators.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2016 7:47 AM

2016-04-30T07:47:18-04:00

The National Guard has at least one drill sergeant at each RSP location. I don't know the procedure for getting that position, but I have certainly seen them.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Apr 30 at 2016 8:21 AM

2016-04-30T08:21:16-04:00

I know that in NY where my wife and I are the NY guard the NY state militia to the NY army Natl guard, does actually have their own boot camp and a cs, possibly other training programs. Look at http://www.sgaus.org the main org of the real state militias, maybe they might care for such help, just a thought, trying to be creative, obviously. Then, too, you could also possibly try the JROTC programs civil air patrol or the naval sea cadets, you never know you might luck out, I'd be curious as to your thoughts and or reactions, hope was useful, many thanks, also, maybe you could do an interservice transfer, you never know maybe other svcs might have such needs, just another thought.

SGAUS – State Guard Association of the United States

State Guard Association of the United States

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2016 8:32 AM

2016-04-30T08:32:03-04:00

Just a heads up... There are no AIT platoon sergeants in an OSUT environment. OSUT is all of BCT and AIT combined lead only by drill sergeants.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2016 10:24 AM

2016-04-30T10:24:33-04:00

As it was previously mentioned, the Reserves do have Drill Sergeant units. The Drill Sergeants that are used at Guard RSPs tend to be from these Reserve units.

If you are that intent on going this route, you may want to look at transferring to the Reserve side.

Response by SSG Marciano Gonzalez made Apr 30 at 2016 10:38 AM

2016-04-30T10:38:34-04:00

If you want to become a drill sgt. then go and attend the 9 weeks course and only then be a good drillsgt.

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2016 11:00 AM

2016-04-30T11:00:48-04:00

I have zero experience with Army Drill Sergeants, but multiple tours as a Drill Instructor. Why would the Army use a reservist as a DS. For Marines, being a Drill Instructor is a life style change that requires an amazing amount of time and effort. I don't think being a reservist allows that sort of commitment. A weekend a month and two weeks a year would not keep you in the shape needed for recruit training. I am not calling fat or out of shape, don't take it that way. I admire your drive and willingness to take the challenge of becoming a Drill Sergeant. Standing on your feet for 15 hours a day and yelling to be heard 12 hours a day is quite tiring. Those who have never done it will be surprised. Constant corrections take a lot out of you. Maybe you should look at going active.

Sir, I wish you best and as always, Semper Fidelis.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2016 11:16 AM

2016-04-30T11:16:30-04:00

As was mentioned, RSP "units" for the Guard have National Guard Drill Sergeants (not Reserve DS). As with many other aspects, this may vary by state. I have DA Civilian experience in the G1 as well as Civilian experience working in the RSP. I highly recommend contacting the RSP 1SG (part of R&R) to find out your state's procedures for attending DS school.

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Apr 30 at 2016 11:52 AM

2016-04-30T11:52:50-04:00

Including a few former Drill Sergeants I know: CW3 Dylan E. Raymond, PHR SFC Chad Sowash

Response by CW3 Dylan E. Raymond, PHR made Apr 30 at 2016 12:01 PM

2016-04-30T12:01:26-04:00

You actually have to be in a training unit that has slots for Drill Sgt's.. It is a great opportunity for broadening your career but certainly career advancement. Those training units always look for hard charging NCO's

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2016 12:03 PM

2016-04-30T12:03:27-04:00

You can. Just get promoted, go to school, then get in touch with a reserve drill unit around you and there ya go young buck.

Response by 1LT William Clardy made Apr 30 at 2016 4:45 PM

2016-04-30T16:45:50-04:00

SPC Private RallyPoint Member, the underlying reason that there are virtually no drill sergeants in the National Guard is that the decision was made long ago that the Army National Guard would be composed of combat and some combat support units, while the Army Reserve provides the rest of the reserve-status "mix". Among other things, that means that all training divisions are Army Reserve units, while all combat divisions are National Guard units.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2016 10:12 PM

2016-04-30T22:12:36-04:00

Switch to the reserves

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2016 10:58 PM

2016-04-30T22:58:40-04:00

Switch to Reserves. They have DS units.

Response by SGM Andres Turner made May 5 at 2016 12:25 AM

2016-05-05T00:25:25-04:00

The 100th was the only unit I ever knew of being DSs. I don't even know if the are still around.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2016 12:54 PM

2016-05-06T12:54:34-04:00

I have seen National Guardsmen/women at the drill sergeant academy. They stick out because of their patch. I don't know their individual situations though. I'm guessing you can go as a Guardsmen but then have to transfer over to a reserve drill sergeant unit. We had active duty guys in drill sergeant school transitioning into the reserves upon graduation.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2016 12:58 PM

2016-05-06T12:58:09-04:00

I am currently in an Engineer OSUT unit in the 98th TNG Div. We do our AT as drill sergeants at Fort Leonard Wood with the 31st and 35th Engineer Battalions. We are a 12C unit. However in October we will be leaving the 98th and joining the 95th. If you need any info at all feel free to message me. I can get you in touch with units in your area. I know there are drill sergeant units in PA.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2016 8:01 PM

2016-05-06T20:01:52-04:00

I am not entirely sure about NG DI's. I do not think that they have any Drill Sergeant units in the Guard. I can say that I did attend USAR Drill Sergeant School in 2010 and there was a NG SSG in the class. He was a NG recruiter from Puerto Rico and was transitioning to the Reserves. Looking at your profile I see you are based out of Ft. Indiantown Gap. there is a Reserve Drill Unit in the North East; up in NY I believe. You could talk to a Career Counselor/ Reserve Recruiter, and check out units in the 81st Div. If memory serves me right that is the only non Active div with DS units

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2016 5:02 PM

2016-06-30T17:02:31-04:00

I was in from 1988 to 2005 and I knew plenty of Guardsmen that were Drill Sergeants. Do they not allow them this anymore?

Response by CW4 Chris McCarty made Feb 27 at 2017 2:11 PM

2017-02-27T14:11:54-05:00

The ARNG does have Drill Sergeants and NCO's are welcome to submit a package. Each state and territory (54) has an RSP program and is authorized several Drill Sergeants. The larger the state size (Guard size) the larger the allocation of Drill Sergeant positions. Additionally several Recruiters become Drill Sergeants.

Response by CSM Eric Biggs made Apr 2 at 2017 7:09 AM

2017-04-02T07:09:43-04:00

As a former Army Reserve Drill Sergeant and a Current 1SG of a Reserve Drill Sergeant Company who has worked a lot with my local National Guard units, here is what I know. National Guard Recruiters are sometimes allowed to go to Drill Sergeant School. However when they get back home they wear their campaign hat one weekend a month when they run a pre-basic program for area NG recruits. They are not allowed to, or at least some of my friends who did this job were not allowed by their commands to go to a Basic Training installation and push new trainees. That being said, as others have already stated, if you want to become a Drill Sergeant you should join the Reserves or go on Active Duty and request Drill Sergeant School as a contingent of re-enlisting.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2017 3:01 AM

2017-05-13T03:01:36-04:00

I am in the National Guard and just got selected to go Drill Sergeant school in North Carolina for nine weeks. So it is possible.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2020 12:33 AM

2020-01-31T00:33:02-05:00

National Guard Drill Seargents perform their duties in the RSP program (Recruit Sustaiment Program) so yes you can become a drill sergeant in the national guard now I haven’t heard of any of them doing so in a BCT drill sergeant role

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2022 9:07 PM

2022-05-15T21:07:31-04:00

We have National Guard drill sergeants here in MA. But our state also has a Recruit Sustainment Program (RSP), where new soldiers drill until they ship out to boot camp or are assigned to their new unit. There’s actually a lot of states that do this so I’m confused where all these other answers are coming from lol. We’ve had Nationa Guard Drill Sergeants for at least the last 15 years.

Response by SSG James Valentine made Nov 27 at 2022 1:56 AM

2022-11-27T01:56:32-05:00

You can

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Nov 28 at 2022 7:29 AM

2022-11-28T07:29:32-05:00

It is simply not part of the NG assigned mission. You should look to see where you can get deeper involved into your units training mission help your organization in meeting its readiness goals. I recommend that you take a deeper drive into your units mission as assigned and read up on the role of the Guard in the grand scheme of thing and you will find your niche.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2023 2:52 PM

2023-02-22T14:52:14-05:00

I think you just want the brim