DA Select; Drill Sergeant School here I come; Lots of questions...

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 09:09:37 -0500

Approximately three weeks ago, I received an ATRRS email, informing my I was selected to attend Drill Sergeant School in the summer. Additionally, I found out the family and I will be heading to Ft. Sill, OK, for a 24 month assignment. I'd always thought that DS was a voluntary assignment. Nevertheless, I'm looking forward to accepting this new challenge. Are there any current and or previous DS' who are willing to share a few words of wisdom? Also, I was told to memorize the three modules; where can I find them? What is family life like in Lawton, OK?

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2014 9:37 AM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 09:37:50 -0500

Best of luck to you. I went to Basic at Ft. Sill. The trail is a lot of work with many late nights.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2014 9:47 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 09:47:20 -0500

It would appear the Drill's here don't want to share their secrets, I got my DSS date for late Fall and asked the same question here to no avail.

Good luck, are you already studying the modules?

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Feb 26 at 2014 3:53 PM

1SG Steven Stankovich — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 15:53:07 -0500

I got a friend of mine, a 35M, who volunteered a few years back and was a DS at Ft Sill. I'd be happy to pass your email along to her if you would like. Her information would be about a year old, but it may be able to provide you with some perspective.

Response by MSG Cameron Davis made Feb 26 at 2014 3:56 PM

MSG Cameron Davis — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 15:56:58 -0500

I was a Drill Sergeant for 3 years but in Fort Benning, Ga.  I came off the trail in 2005 but I would willing to answer what I can.  Feel free to contact me.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2014 9:20 AM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 May 2014 09:20:55 -0400

If you are still preparing for DSS, definately hit the modules and the DS Creed. Look over and know the PRT program, many NCOs still do not. Focus your efforts 100% on DSS and stay away from the ones that want to go drinking in Columbia all the time, seperate yourself from them and you will handle DSS with ease.

Also, keep an open mind. Everyone from the Commandant on down will tell you, you are at the most professional school in the Army, so be prepared to be nitpicked on things you didn't think mattered but are very obvious to them, it will make you a better NCO in the end.

Good luck at school.

I am currently at Fort Sill and will finish the trail in September. I can tell you, Lawton is okay, but I live north in Elgin, a smaller town that is growing and has a quieter atmosphere to it. I have Battle Buddies that live in Geronimo to the south and Cache to the west. Just depends on what you are looking for. Lawton is definately not going to be the big city life if you are used to it, however, retail is picking up at a rapid pace here. That being said, OK City is still the go to place for all your big city needs.

The trail is definately, and I will echo a lot of former and current DS's, the most rewarding job I have had in the Army. You will see amazing things, good amazing and bad amazing and come away a more squared away NCO. I have been fortunate to have an awesome Chain of Command support us here in my Btry, hopefully you will to.

All that said, good luck again, and make the most of it.

Response by SFC Christopher Perry made May 23 at 2014 9:30 AM

SFC Christopher Perry — Fri, 23 May 2014 09:30:14 -0400

SFC Walcott,

I cannot answer the Drill Sergent portion of the question as I have never had the opportunity. Alas, I am too old for that stuff now, and therefore never will.

However, I can answer the Fort Sill part of this one. Fort Sill is a stellar post. The commissary and PX are more than adequate and never have lines that wrap around multiple isles like other places I have been. They are building a brand new gym, as if they need another. Honestly the atmosphere here is pretty laid back overall.

Now, that being said, I will let you form your own opinion of Lawton. I am not one to sour someone's opinion by interjecting my own. My mother always thought me that if I had nothing positive to say, say nothing at all.

Good luck in the new adventure! As with every other one you have had, Ft Sill will be exactly what you make of it.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2014 11:14 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 11:14:55 -0400

First of all, I was a Drill Sergeant at Ft Sill from 2011 until 2013. It was the best assignment that I had thus far in my career. I will say take DS School seriously, because it is a very hard school especially, if you have personal things going on in your life as I did at that time. I would tell you to study ALL the modules, again study ALL the modules. It will make your life ALOT easier while in DS School. The modules can be found on the armystudyguide.com website. I wish you the best of luck.

Response by SFC Harold Benton made Mar 26 at 2015 8:45 AM

SFC Harold Benton — Thu, 26 Mar 2015 08:45:05 -0400

If you are a good NCO, you look after your troops and accomplish the mission, you will do well. The hours are long. I lived on the west side of Lawton and the trainee area is on the east side. I drove Rogers Lane, you will learn about that. I frequently found myself regaining consciousness so to speak on Rogers Lane. I had to look around to see if I was heading home or to work. It was mostly a good two years.

Response by Jordan Gaudard made Aug 10 at 2015 4:07 PM

Jordan Gaudard — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 16:07:00 -0400

When they say learn your modules, that means memorized and understand. Don't cheat yourself on the APFT before you go, they grade to the standard. So make sure you pushups are good. Most people who failed the pushup event had a 90% or better on their APFT 30 days prior to attending.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2015 9:52 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 21:52:18 -0500

Im headed to Fort sill for drill sargent in June how is it