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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?
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 27
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 lead incoming Soldiers in Basic Combat Training. They serve as advisors, instructors and evaluators.
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SFC (Join to see)
SPC Zachary Weaver
I can’t add on to what CPT Garbarini explained. His information is dead on.
I see you’re a student at State College. Deciding to be enlisted instead of commissioned after you are a college graduate is the road less traveled; I’ve traveled it and for me it was good. I can say at the beginning I took some pokes from low to mid level NCOs who liked that they were in charge of a college boy. That wears off after awhile, and is OK, after they realize you can hang (for most of them).
In any case you’re in a good position. For the time being concentrate on being the best 12B that you can be; learn your job and learn how to be a good leader. Go to PLDC or whatever they call it now. When you make SGT I would say is the time to move. In the meantime talk to every DI you see and ask them about their journey. Ask them probing questions about their work assignments: the good and the bad. Being an old Brown Round myself, I can tell you we ain’t too smart. Who would take a job where you’re up before everyone else and the last to hit the bunk? Good Luck.
I can’t add on to what CPT Garbarini explained. His information is dead on.
I see you’re a student at State College. Deciding to be enlisted instead of commissioned after you are a college graduate is the road less traveled; I’ve traveled it and for me it was good. I can say at the beginning I took some pokes from low to mid level NCOs who liked that they were in charge of a college boy. That wears off after awhile, and is OK, after they realize you can hang (for most of them).
In any case you’re in a good position. For the time being concentrate on being the best 12B that you can be; learn your job and learn how to be a good leader. Go to PLDC or whatever they call it now. When you make SGT I would say is the time to move. In the meantime talk to every DI you see and ask them about their journey. Ask them probing questions about their work assignments: the good and the bad. Being an old Brown Round myself, I can tell you we ain’t too smart. Who would take a job where you’re up before everyone else and the last to hit the bunk? Good Luck.
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CW3 Dylan E. Raymond, PHR
SPC (Join to see) - you could request to be released from your unit to transfer to the reserve component. A reserve recruiter can help you out. They will find a unit with a slot you get accepted and then get released from the NG unit and process in the reserves. They will then get you scheduled to attend Drill Sgt school. That one one of the better roles I held in the military. Extremely rewarding
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MSgt (Join to see)
Consider asking for a conditional release from your Guard unit to transfer to an Army reserve DI unit. Of course that is if you find one in your area or are willing to travel to closest one.
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SFC (Join to see)
Although the NG doesn't have Drill Sergeants, there are instructor positions that you can do open vacancy applications. These positions generally are in support of MOS, OCS, and WOCS (at least in my state). You can also see if there is an opportunity for you to become instructor qualified while remaining in your current unit. I realize instructor qualification isn't a Drill Sergeant, but it may be an alternative to the conditional release
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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.
Sir, I wish you best and as always, Semper Fidelis.
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CW3 Dylan E. Raymond, PHR
They use the reserve drill sergeants to augment the summer surge of trainees. You fall into active duty unit and train the new recruits
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CSM (Join to see)
Conceptually USAR Drill Sergeants are used the same way as any other Soldier in the Army. Army Reservist obligations are one weekend a month, two weeks a year. Unless we are talking about the past 15 years........
When we engaged in two ongoing conflicts, the USAR Drill Sergeants were called onto Active Duty to fulfill critical gaps that the Active Component couldn't fill. Companies completely comprised of Reserve Component Soldiers were called up because the Active Army Drill Sergeants were put into line units for deployment purposes. They were a very effective tool to continue training Soldiers throughout this period.
When we engaged in two ongoing conflicts, the USAR Drill Sergeants were called onto Active Duty to fulfill critical gaps that the Active Component couldn't fill. Companies completely comprised of Reserve Component Soldiers were called up because the Active Army Drill Sergeants were put into line units for deployment purposes. They were a very effective tool to continue training Soldiers throughout this period.
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SGT (Join to see)
Having been a "Reservist DS' I can attest that the standards are upheld. Yes two days a month and three weeks in the summer (not two) , plus any additional duty time that comes up thru out the year. Yes the standards may be upheld to varying degrees by individual units. The unit that I was in upheld the standards as if we were Active duty on the trail. Unit goal was PT Scores were minimum 80% per event. Based at Ft. Benning we had ample opportunity to get involved with actual trainee's in a BCT/OSUT enviorment and augment the DS's on the trail. Admittedly I had the same preconceived ideas about the reserves as most active duty soldiers when I transitioned but with the right leadership and mentorship from my "Seniors" I not only excelled but made it thru DSS with minimal difficulty.
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SPC (Join to see), 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.
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If you want to become a drill sgt. then go and attend the 9 weeks course and only then be a good drillsgt.
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CW3 Dylan E. Raymond, PHR
Well attending the 9 weeks course does not guarantee that you will be a good drill sgt its all up to the individual that determine good or bad
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
If you are that intent on going this route, you may want to look at transferring to the Reserve side.
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