Best location to serve as a Drill Sergeant?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 12:54:06 -0500

I am aware of the top three choices that you request before and/or during DS school. Any opinions for best on-base housing, amenities, stuff for kids, best elementary schools, etc? I'm a 35F, so is follow on assignment mainly dependent on my MOS? Could I go to Benning? I would prefer Jackson.

Response by COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM made Feb 9 at 2016 1:19 PM

COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 13:19:29 -0500

A few thoughts:
- Define "best". Without a clear, concise and accurate definition of "best" this really becomes a "beauty in the eye of the beholder" type of thing.
- Criteria. Looks like your criteria include: on post housing, amenities, children activities, and elementary schools. Housing is relatively easy to evaluate, amenities can vary widely based upon what is important to you, same for children activities (outdoor, indoor, cultural, sports, etc). Best schools is easy to research on the net with the proper website.
- Basic Training or AIT? If basic training then you only have four installation choices. If AIT then you have a few more choices. Easy to evaluate only four installation choices.
- MOS. Don't know 35F options. Recommend you speak with your HRC POC.
- Helpfulness. Above will not be particularly helpful to you but may help in terms of how to think about what is best for you rather than stating what is best for you.

Response by SFC Wesley Arnold, Jr made Feb 9 at 2016 1:38 PM

SFC Wesley Arnold, Jr — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 13:38:25 -0500

I'd start with your MOS; Where is the school house and is it OSIT or AIT base instruction???

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2016 1:40 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 13:40:21 -0500

Needs of the Army. You could end up anywhere with your MOS. Engineers and MP's usually go to Leonard Wood. Infantry goes everywhere. I like Fort Leonard Wood personally. I was on the trail there a few times this summer. Next year I think we are going to Fort Jackson.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2016 6:05 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Feb 2016 18:05:25 -0500

SSG Scheil, that is a tough question. I did two tours as a DS 1978-1980, 1983-1985 at Ft Benning. I had several friends at Ft Jackson and would visit them. Because at the time Ft Benning did the Infantry OSUT, and Ft Jackson did several other MOS, I would say that I enjoyed Ft Benning. There was not really a time to put soldiers to bed, so we usually went from 0400 - 2300. They ran in boots, and there were definitely No Time Out cards. Best of luck to you.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2016 10:50 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 22:50:26 -0500

Based on your MOS generally. Most of the infantry guys went to Benning. All of us scouts went there. MPs generally went to Leonardwood. There were some exceptions though. All of the others went to Jackson or sill. That was just my experience though. Good luck.

Response by SSG Leon Drew made Feb 24 at 2016 1:12 PM

SSG Leon Drew — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 13:12:33 -0500

Avoid being a AIT Drill! Ft Leonard Wood was a great place for me! 12B was my secondary, But that was 30 years ago!

Response by 1SG Frank Boynton made Aug 23 at 2017 8:30 PM

1SG Frank Boynton — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 20:30:07 -0400

I wanted to go to Benning 1st, Ft. Leonard Wood 2nd, I can't remember my 3rd choice. I got Ft. Dix. It was the worst post I've ever seen. Terrible quarters, no funds for upkeep, everything was run down. I hated it. Loved the duty (Drill Sgt), but the post sucked. Don't go there. If you're ok with heat almost year around, Ft. Jackson is ok, but it's hot, damn hot, not as hot as Louisiana, but it's freaking hot. Oh did I mention, it's HOT!

Response by SGT Michael Hewett made Nov 24 at 2017 12:30 AM

SGT Michael Hewett — Fri, 24 Nov 2017 00:30:53 -0500

Fort Bragg

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2018 8:15 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 May 2018 20:15:02 -0400

Not sure of DS at Bragg. It's all the same besides the weather. You can attempt to request however you go where your needed. FLW is short so maybe, welcome to FLW.