Would transitioning to a DS position in the USAR be a good decision to benefit a Reservist career?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 18:47:18 -0500

I ETS from AD in the next year. I’m considering my options in the USAR/NG. One position that grabbed my attention was serving as a DS in the reserves. Does anyone have any experience in this, or know whether or not it was be a good decision to benefit a reservist career?

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Feb 5 at 2021 6:52 PM

Lt Col Charlie Brown — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 18:52:20 -0500

Maj Marty Hogan any thoughts?

Response by GySgt Gary Cordeiro made Feb 5 at 2021 7:00 PM

GySgt Gary Cordeiro — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 19:00:00 -0500

I have experience as a former DS in the reserves. MOS based at AIT.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2021 7:00 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 19:00:54 -0500

If you want to be a part time Drill Sergeant it's a great position in the USAR. The positions all start at SSG, so once you pass DS school you'll be promoted. Of course, if you decide you don't like it and leave you will have that promotion rescinded, but you can probably find a 31B2 USAR slot locally if you choose to do that. I know a few people who did the USAR DS program and enjoyed it

Response by LTC Philip Marlowe made Feb 5 at 2021 7:24 PM

LTC Philip Marlowe — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 19:24:27 -0500

I suppose the questions you should consider asking yourself are: 1) What exactly do you want out of the USAR? 2) Does serving as a Drill Sergeant support your current career field? 3) Does it support your civilian career objectives? 4) Does it prepare you for your future. 5) Have you compared being a USAR Drill Sgt to say, attending College / ROTC / USAR simultaneously to get your commission? 6) Have you compared the 'future value' of being a Drill Sergeant with that of being a Platoon Leader / Executive Officer / Commander (company & field grade)? 7) Have you compared the earnings and potential future retirements generated between staying Enl (and as a DS) with getting your commission and perhaps being a BT XO or future Commander, leading and supervising DSs - even in the USAR? Thoughts for consideration.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2021 8:26 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 20:26:33 -0500

I am currently doing it. I left active duty in 2019, I'm in USAR in florida now. In my opinion, I am 11B, I did not have a reserve spot except for Drill Sergeant, I like it so far.

Response by 1SG Michael Anthony Gonzales made Feb 5 at 2021 8:32 PM

1SG Michael Anthony Gonzales — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 20:32:59 -0500

Definitely, fast track promotion if you’re planning 20 years or more. It is not an easy assignment! Good luck on your decision. Hooah.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2021 9:26 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 21:26:13 -0500

It’s a great decision!

To clarify the process, you’ll get assigned to a DS unit. If the unit is worth it’s salt, you’ll be vetted physically and begin working on your packet and projecting your school date.

All the slots are SSG or SFC, so you’ll still need to go to the local board and pass ALC to pin SSG.

The issue is getting your PME before DS school. Typically you’ll do either, or, not both in a fiscal year. The requirement WAS to have a DSA date identified within 6 months, attended first phase within the year, and be DS qualified within 18 months of assignment.

They aren’t usually that strict on that because the Reserves can be slow. Real. Slow. But the issues mostly fall within these areas:
1: you are assigned but not physically qualified/able
2: you are physically able but not mentally capable or have outside obligations that interfere with DSA attendance
3: Neither of the first two, but priority in a DS unit is DSA unless you are E4/e5 without BLC

Let me know if you have any further questions. I just came off of 6 years in the USAR DS Program and 4 years of working at the DSA.

Response by MSG Pedro Soto made Feb 8 at 2021 9:37 AM

MSG Pedro Soto — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 09:37:29 -0500

Sgt Saylor, I went from active duty to a Drill Sgt unit. I loved every minute of it. From that unit I went back to active duty and retired. Promotion comes real fast.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2021 3:25 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 15:25:07 -0500

I went to 'Basic Camp' in 2018 at Fort Knox. This is ROTC's version of basic training for lateral entry Cadets (Cadets that join after freshman year and need to play catchup).

Our Drill SGTs were made up of both Active and Reserve. As Cadets, we couldn't tell the difference. If you are interested I think it would be a great opperrtunity. Just realize, you might end up somewhere other than BCT.