Anyone have tips/tricks for studying Module one for DS school?

2018-12-15T06:51:15-05:00

Just received orders for Drill Sergeant School last week. I've been talking with some of the Drills that I work with about studying the modules. Just looking for any tips or tricks anyone might have for studying. I've got plenty of time as I don't report to school till April but I'm also trying to factor in that I'll be busy with SLC all of January.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2018 7:09 AM

2018-12-15T07:09:50-05:00

Watch the videos from the Academy's website. It makes more sense when you visually see how its pitched. Also, pitch in front of a former drill, they'll be able to provide good feedback. Other than that, just keep studying every chance you get. About 20 min a night should do the trick being that you have the time right now. Good luck! Best job in the Army.

Response by 1SG Frank Boynton made Dec 15 at 2018 8:19 AM

2018-12-15T08:19:33-05:00

Module 1 in 1981 was the physical fitness test. It was conducted on a Saturday morning at 7:00 am. Anyone who didn’t pass, did not start class on the following Monday. We had something like 75 candidates show up for the test. Monday 43 of us started school.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2018 10:05 AM

2018-12-15T10:05:21-05:00

When I went through in 2011, the first 3 modules (position of attention, rest positions at the halt, and the hand salute) need to be verbatim and are given all at once. The rest were chosen at random and you weren’t given a day to study, you did it right then. As long as you said the bold stuff and it didn’t have to be exact. I had to do “Forming, aligning, and dismissing the platoon” on the spot and never looked at it. Of course I wasn’t new to D&C before I went to DA school.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Dec 15 at 2018 10:19 AM

2018-12-15T10:19:40-05:00

SFC Private RallyPoint Member My best tip, don't learn them wrong. That means have someone reading the module as you recite it, until you know it word for word and only need practice in delivering it.
it also means if you do not have a 100% known accurate module from the school house you will be going to, DO NOT TRUST your time and effort to anything else, and again, learning it wrong is worse than waiting to learn them after being given your official copy at school.

Response by CSM Eric Biggs made Dec 16 at 2018 9:03 AM

2018-12-16T09:03:45-05:00

Practice pitching the modules into an audio recorder. Play it back following along as you read the module, if what you hear is different from what you are reading, STOP. Start over, keep doing till you get it perfect!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2018 12:41 PM

2018-12-16T12:41:29-05:00

Learn the material, don't try to memorize it. (Yeah, I know, WTF does that mean).
First, learn the terminology used, and the sequence used to explain a position or movement.
You cant name and explain it if you don't know what terminology is used or if you dont understand the position or movement, and it is too much, to fast, to memorize. If you know the terminology and are familiar with the correct position or movement, you can explain it.
When testing I always tried to get someone who knew the position, AND who I knew would LISTEN and do it EXACTLY as I described. That way I would know to make a correction if I got off track. You dont want someone who will do it right despite you explaining it wrong. I recall always serving as a demonstrator for a buddy throughout the course. Once, he failed to say a key phrase: "Keeping the butt of the weapon on the marching surface." He had did an about face to the DS Instructor to terminate his presentation without saying it, so I lowered the butt of the weapon with sufficient force to make noise. He immediately did an about face, stated that final phrase, then another about face and terminated. He received a go; I received -3 demerits for integrity then +3 demerits for ingenuity.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2018 7:31 AM

2018-12-17T07:31:57-05:00

Practice doing perfect push ups, learn the DS creed and Make sure you get the top 3 module down, verbatim. Since you have plenty of time before you go to the academy, I highly advised you learn the other modules.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2018 9:42 AM

2018-12-17T09:42:51-05:00

I never had to memorize modules, but we had to pitch Pre-Jump for Jumpmaster, and that was about 5 pages long.
The best trick I found was to read it into a recorder and play that while I was in the car. Practice pitching it as you are listening. Eventually, it becomes very natural to you.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2018 11:30 AM

2018-12-17T11:30:28-05:00

Make voice recordings of the modules on your phone and listen to them while you pitch it. If you’re driving to Jackson play it in your car and pitch at the same time.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2018 1:31 PM

2018-12-26T13:31:42-05:00

I used note cards. Practice using a demonstrator so as you pitch they execute the movement. You play the way you practice and that’s exactly how the exams will be conducted. You pitch and someone demonstrates. You will also be someone else’s demonstrator so you will need to practice doing that too. Never anticipate the command. There will be 6 sets of modules the 6th one is a beast. Don’t become overwhelmed. Remember 50 meter targets and use your time wisely. KNOW THE TOP 3 BEFORE YOU GET THERE!! (MODULE ONE) and you will be alright. When you get to set 2 you will be given I think 4 more modules to learn and you will have 1 week. Don’t panic. Learn 80 percent of each. The night before the exam you will draw which one you will actually pitch and then you can study that one aggressively and be set up for success. Every week you will be given another set. If you use this technique you will be good to go. I hope this helps.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2019 9:45 PM

2019-01-07T21:45:58-05:00

Hey SFC Private RallyPoint Member as a DSL, I have to study these all the time. One of the things you will hear about is the dreaded “cross-modulating.” But don’t fret- this depends on your understanding of movements/positions, and your ability to “catch the train” as I call it. As in, most modules (save set 6) have a flow. Start with the standard line... “the next...” and go from there. But here are a few rules of thumb I employ to get these things down. Hope they help.

Rule 1: one module at a time
Rule 2: preamble for all modules are basically the same
Rule 3: one line/ paragraph at a time. Repeat it until you get it verbatim and identify problem areas.
Rule 4: understand what each section (line/paragraph) is explaining and try to visualize it with and without a demo.
Rule 5: set mental/ physical cues for actions/ trouble areas
Rule 6: study effectively; no more than 30-45 per go
Rule 7: relax... when you get here, you’ll see that the track is a common study area. There’s a reason. I don’t know the science behind it, but when I need to learn a new module, I take a walk. Usually, one or two good walks will get me “on paper”. Getting grouped and zeroed is too easy at that point.

Good luck!
TWD!

Response by SFC Franky Hicks made Dec 24 at 2020 9:28 AM

2020-12-24T09:28:14-05:00

When I was in Drill Sgt school, I would practice in front of a full length mirror and makes sure I was able recite word for word in each module. And then practice in front of a partner in your class! Do not rush the module and have fun so you want stress out !