Can someone be forced into becoming a Drill Instructor? If so, how do you avoid it?

SPC July Macias — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 05:12:55 -0500

I've met several NCO's that were forced into becoming a drill instructor. They all hated it. My heart and simpathy goes out to them. Does this happen in all military branches? What about the National Guard? Is there a way to avoid it (besides going Special Forces)?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 4 at 2020 5:22 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 05:22:03 -0500

It's not called "forced." It's called DA Select. As for the Reserves and Guard, I do not believe there are any Guard Drill Sergeant units....but I could be wrong. There are Reserve Drill Sergeant units. Most folks will transfer in IOT promote. Others will get transferred in because of promotions. In those Reserve units, you will get spun up and trained up before you would even see Drill Sergeant Academy. If you don't mesh up, you'll probably get transferred out.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Dec 4 at 2020 6:10 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 06:10:42 -0500

Mikitary service is based on selfless service. Assignments are determined by need and qualifications along with potential. The avaerange NCO wants to be a drill sergeant. Only so many are selected a year, there are usually enough volunteers, when there are not they are selected by the branch. All NCOs need to take on a developmental assignment, this usually occurs twice ina career.

If you are in the military looking to get but not give you are in the wrong place, sacrifice is inevitable. You should take on any challenge and be determined to excel in any position. Excellence brings with it a feeling of accomplishment and pride. Sokdiers in a platoon at training respond to strong forthright keadership from men and women who exude confidence and competence. The reward is in seeing young people of the street develop into a foundational member of the nations largest team. They graduate and go to there units ready to face the unknown. They are a lie to do that because of the NCOs who shape them. I can’t name most of whom with which I served save those that you share a special bond with, I can still name my DIs. Man up and get ready, the military can be a great ride, but only for those who are in it for the right reasons.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Dec 4 at 2020 6:41 AM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 06:41:11 -0500

How to avoid it? You decline continuing
serving this nation. It’s a privilege!

Response by CSM Eric Biggs made Dec 4 at 2020 6:45 AM

CSM Eric Biggs — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 06:45:07 -0500

SPC July Macias, every assignment has its good and bad. The thing is what you make it. Being a DS was one of the most rewarding things I’ve done. Seeing those new Soldiers I created graduate, knowing I had given them all the tools they would need to fight and win in Combat.
The days are long and the work is hard. But if we want good Soldiers to take our place when we leave, they need an excellent foundation. Creating that foundation is the Drill Sergeant’s job.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 4 at 2020 7:08 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 07:08:20 -0500

Good Ole DA selected. You have been selected as the needs of the army. Congratulations.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Dec 4 at 2020 7:38 AM

SGT Philip Roncari — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 07:38:58 -0500

I was not forced into being Drill Instructor instead the Army told me (military equivalent cut orders )that upon my return from Vietnam back in 1967 I was to become an instructor at Ft.Polk La. AIT patrolling range for the next Fourteen months,taught me great lessons and gave me the self confidence to address large and small groups and certainly overcame my fear of public speaking, all in all the needs of the Army were a benefit to this old grunt

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Dec 4 at 2020 9:07 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 09:07:03 -0500

The Marine Corps has something similar with the Special Duty Assignment Screening Team. They basically do an annual road show throughout the Corps screening eligible candidates for the SDA fields needing bodies. It originated as an effort to screen for future Recruiters but it evolved into a screening process for all SDA's.

The moral of the story is that one needs to be proactive in their career instead of reactive. If you wait for the Military to decide where you go next you may just end up on a Special Assignment you didn't want.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Dec 4 at 2020 9:26 AM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 09:26:03 -0500

There are always jobs that need to be filled to keep a Service going but they get inadequate volunteers. The personnel people then must assign nonvolunteers to those jobs. For Air Force officers the hard to fill jobs were often remote unaccompanied assignments. The personnel folks could use these jobs to force separations or retirements to thin the force when the end strength numbers had to be met. Here’s some ideas for avoiding an assignment.
-separate or retire if able
-volunteer for an even more difficult to fill job
-re-enlist for a hard to fill MOS or location
-get a GO to step in to extend your current assignment or otherwise influence the personnel people.

BTW you might be able to leverage volunteering for a DI job into picking the location to one you’d like.

Response by CSM Carlson C. made Dec 4 at 2020 10:12 AM

CSM Carlson C. — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 10:12:36 -0500

I would say it truly depends on who you speak to. There are some who say the hours are long but the stories and the reward were high. I haven't met a former DS who regretted being one. To be honest, that is the one regret that I have in my career; not following through and going Drill Sergeant. I submitted a request when I was a Staff Sergeant on active duty, but I tore my meniscus during sports pt, pulled my packet and continued to put it off. If you're a DA select, well guess what DA, can find you EVERYWHERE! The key to making it in the military is being willing to do things others are not and exposing yourself to things outside your comfort zone. DS's are respected. If you see an NCO or officer with a DS badge your expectations rise and you have an innate sense that this individual can handle what's thrown at them. Is that always true? No, but don't look at how difficult it is to be a DS, look forward to the reward after being one. I wish I went through with it when I had the opportunity after my initial injury.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 4 at 2020 10:22 AM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 10:22:32 -0500

Be honored you were selected, and bloom where you're planted.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 4 at 2020 2:13 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 14:13:03 -0500

DA Select - yes. There are people DA selected to be Drill Sergeants who may not have wanted to be Drill Sergeants.

I was DA Selected to be an AIT PSG (when they had those before they put DS back in AIT) but a month after I got that I found out I was pregnant so didn't end up ever going. I had to get it deferred.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 4 at 2020 5:03 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 17:03:02 -0500

Become a recruiter! :)

Response by Cpl Vic Burk made Dec 4 at 2020 5:54 PM

Cpl Vic Burk — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 17:54:42 -0500

The Marine Corps at one time "drafted" those to become drill instructors but you could be dang sure if you were selected you were at the top of your game and that recommendation came from somewhere. I understand these days they only take volunteers (so I heard). For a bit I actually considered reenlisting with becoming a drill instructor as my next assignment. I even talked to the career planner about it. I needed a waiver from Headquarters Marine Corps because I was only twenty years old at the time but he didn't see there would be a problem with my record and meritorious promotions. I would have got the Sergeant stripe as part of the re-up package. Sometimes I regret not doing it but I wanted my education more and I wasn't going to get that in the military.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Dec 4 at 2020 6:30 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 18:30:52 -0500

Look it is considered a privilege to be DA selected for anything, cause you were picked from everyone else in your pay grade to do this. DI, Recruiter, are the main ones- cause damn few folks volunteer to do these cause they are a bitch to handle. Yet most all survive it and if they do well, branch normally rewards them with a plum assignment afterward, and they are favored by promotion boards. I don't know what other services do, but since it is a necessary job- I imagine so.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 4 at 2020 6:52 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 18:52:19 -0500

Yeah, you can be DA selected to certain assignments. There's a few ways to try and get out of them, but most aren't worth it. From what I hear DA selected drills get taken care of on the back end of their tour on the trail with an assignment of choice or being able to get certain schools if available.

At the end of the day a soldier is a soldier and wherever the army truly needs them is their assignment. There's plenty of assignments and schools soldiers can get if they want to, however, they must have the understanding needs of the army trumps wants of the soldier.

I went to jump school right after graduating on Sand Hill, volunteered for an airborne assignment (82nd was deploying in a few months), and still get sent to 1st AD to be on rear d while the unit was in Iraq. Shit happens. But it turned out to be a blessing in disguise for my career. Also, soldiers looking to be career soldiers generally have 1 or 2 broadening or force generating assignments in their career.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2020 3:02 AM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 06 Dec 2020 03:02:54 -0500

You want the short answer- self refer to ASAP as soon as you come down on DS orders. Thats how I ditched the orders. You can PM me to find out how to get out of recruiting. Both of those while important are not for everyone-

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Dec 7 at 2020 2:34 AM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Mon, 07 Dec 2020 02:34:36 -0500

Most of the answer are all about "selfless service" and "do what you are told." And they aren't necessarily wrong. But they don't answer your question either. And they ignore the reality that some people may be great within certain roles and horrible in others. Or that they might have some serious shit going on in their lives which make an assignment such as DS a bad fit for them *at that time.*

Please note, almost all of these ideas have serious long-term repercussions on your career. I do *not* recommend these options 99% of the time.

Yes, there is DA Select. No, you cannot refuse. But you *can* request not to do it (will probably be denied) have your CoC request you not do it (probably be denied), or be found unfit. Drills have to complete a packet for school which includes a laundry list of things, like PT test, mental fitness screening, Command recommendations, etc. If you complete your packet but (for instance) fail your mental screening, you will not be going to DS school. If your Chain of Command non-recommends you, you will *likely* not be going to DS school. If you submit an APFT failure, you will *likely* not be going to DS school. If you go to DS school and you fail, you will likely not be hitting the trail. Etc. Also... last I knew single parents cannot be drills (or recruiters - but they can be AIT PSGs), so that is a non-career-ending loophole. Injuries will put it off, if not get it canceled permanently - but intentionally injuring yourself is malingering, so don't do that.

When might it be a good time to do it anyway?

I came down on DA Select for AIT PSG in Arizona. At the time, I was going through a custody battle in Kentucky. Kentucky refused to move jurisdiction, or to allow me to participate long-distance. Taking an AIT PSG job (and moving across the country for the job) effectively would have spelled the end of custody for me. It was worth it to me to effectively torpedo my career to keep my son. My Company, Battalion, and Brigade Commanders all wrote recommendations to HRC asking them to cancel my orders - HRC refused. I asked for a 12 month deferment to finish custody - HRC refused. I had already passed my mental screening, and had my packet complete (favorably). My Commanders all included their non-recommendations (for compassionate reasons, not fitness reasons) in my PSG packet. Off I went to AIT-land, and off my son went to his unfit mother. To this day I regret not working harder to sabotage myself (like failing AIT PSG school).

Yes, the Army *is* about selfless service. But that does not mean that the Army is always right or that the assignment that is right for the Army is the assignment that is right for you. You *can* sabotage yourself, but if you do so, do so knowing that you will severely hurt your chances for promotion, and you may remove any options to continue your career after your current term of enlistment.

Response by SFC Dan Sorrow, M.S. made Dec 14 at 2020 8:03 PM

SFC Dan Sorrow, M.S. — Mon, 14 Dec 2020 20:03:22 -0500

What? Forced into it? If by that you mean having the privilege of being selected by the Department of the Army for one of the most prestigious duties you could ever hope to be selected for, then no. You can refuse to attend and get a bar to reenlistment. You can fail the course and basically end your career or career progression. So, there are options.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2021 7:13 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 19:13:56 -0500

The short answers: Probably. No. Yes.

I can't speak to the other three branches, but I would assume that it is likely that when not enough volunteers are present they select likely candidates.

The Army National Guard doesn't really have a DS corp. The USAR is where you find lots of Drill SGTs, but even there it is voluntary. I have never encountered someone in the USAR "forced" to become a DS.

You can certainly avoid the assignment by signing a Declination Statement, but of course that ends your Active Duty career. You can still transfer to the Guard or Reserve, but if you were planning to make the Army a full time career...oh well.

To be totally honest it is completely your decision, but you need to thoroughly research the Pros and Cons.

Response by SGT Dennis Bolin made Jan 28 at 2021 11:40 PM

SGT Dennis Bolin — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 23:40:07 -0500

STOP SUCKING DICK!!! THE ONLY REASON SOLDIERS BECOME COCK SUCKERS FORCED "DRILL SERGEANTS" BYFORCE BECAUSE THEY WANT TO BE PROMOTED !!! EMAIL IS: [login to see] -

Response by MSG David Densmore made Jan 29 at 2021 9:37 AM

MSG David Densmore — Fri, 29 Jan 2021 09:37:09 -0500

Regardless of unit size, from squad to platoon, the responsibilities of an NCO are in two words. Lead & Train. That's what Drill Instructors do, and a lot of it. Be aware that as you gain rank and join the NCO corps, that's what you'll be doing. Some of, maybe "the" most rewarding part of my career is when I can look back and see the difference I've made and the influence I've had on other soldiers. When and if the time comes, you may decide you want to become a DI.

There are few other places in life where you canbe an influence and m akea difference like you can as an NCO.

I don't remember a lot, don't remember that names of many leaders I've had, but 44 years later, I still remember the rank, names and appearance, of my Drill Instructors from Basic Training. That should tell you a lot all by itself.

Response by TSgt David Olson made Feb 1 at 2021 1:35 PM

TSgt David Olson — Mon, 01 Feb 2021 13:35:03 -0500

No NCO should ever be forced (ordered) to become a drill instructor, training instructor for the Air Force. Back in the mid 1980’s I was working full time for an Air National Guard fighter wing. One day someone handed me a printed order from the active duty force. It went on to say that the active AF was looking for volunteers from the Guard and AF reserve to become training instructors at Lackland AFB Texas. The tour would be three years on extended active duty (EAD) orders. I thought about it and decided I’d apply, I was 44 years old. My application was submitted after the usual physical and interview with the senior Air Guard officer and the CMsgt. Then the AF BMTS staff at Lackland reviewed the applications. Initially the AF was hoping to get three NCO’s from both Guard and Reserve. The final selection process was conducted at BMTS, Lackland AFB, San Antonio, TX. The board consisted of several senior NCOs including the CMsgt. I flew home and some time later was notified by the AF BMTS staff I had been selected. Following the BMTS instructors school I was assigned to an all male squadron. During my three years I encountered several instructors who had not volunteered, but had received orders to the BMTS. Not one was happy, they were all on second enlistments and had no other options. What I observed during my three years convinced me that only volunteers should be assigned as BMTS instructors. It was easy to find yourself “jammed up” if you weren’t careful. Two of my squadron’s AD instructors received courts martial and DD discharges following stockade time, for infractions with trainees under their commands.

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Feb 1 at 2021 1:38 PM

SFC Melvin Brandenburg — Mon, 01 Feb 2021 13:38:03 -0500

I was informed I was being put in to attend that school. I retired.

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Dec 3 at 2021 4:45 PM

Sgt Dale Briggs — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 16:45:16 -0500

I’m sorry I’m not sure I believe that one, no one can be forced into being a DI or going Airborne or.... strictly voluntary. If I’m wrong I’ll say so, it’s a highly competitive slot they wouldn’t have to do that.