Did you like your Drill Sergeants (Instructors)?

SPC Margaret Higgins — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 07:06:41 -0400

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2015 7:29 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 07:29:23 -0400

I had two great drill instructors. About ten years later I was bowling in a league on base and a member of the other team was an E-9 who was one of them.

Response by SSgt David Tedrow made Oct 5 at 2015 7:50 AM

SSgt David Tedrow — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 07:50:20 -0400

It was a love/hate relationship.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2015 7:54 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 07:54:42 -0400

Did I? No, I was terrified of them. Do I? Hell Yea. I am extremely grateful for those astounding gentlemen over at the Fort Benning School for Wayward Boys.

Response by CSM William Payne made Oct 5 at 2015 8:30 AM

CSM William Payne — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 08:30:55 -0400

My drill sergeant made a lasting impression on me that stuck with me my entire 40 year Army / Army Reserve career. SFC Eugene McDaniels, D-13-4, Fort Knox, KY, Oct - Dec 1973. We only had one drill sergeant in our platoon, SGT Tutkin was an Assistant Instructor (AI) that was waiting to go to drill sergeant school. SFC McDaniels never raised his voice unless calling cadence but his mere presence and demeanor demanded your attention. Treated his Soldiers with respect unless they indicated they didn't deserve it. I was a squad leader but the only one that didn't get fired at least once during the cycle. Nobody was more physically fit than he. That's back when we ran in combat boots and fatiques, no PT uniform and running shoes. He could run faster backwards than most of the platoon could forwards. He didn't allow other NCOs to mess with his platoon either. A Vietnam combat veteran, he set an example of the highest standards, a model of the NCO and Drill Sergeant Creed.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2015 9:50 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 09:50:13 -0400

Only liked the ones that were with my platoon. Not being biased, just that out of my basic and all three AIT's, I lucked out with having the "nicer" DS's.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2015 11:02 AM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 11:02:38 -0400

Mine was my inspiration: QMC Norman G. Woods, Company Commander, 70-030, NTC-RTC, San Diego.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2015 7:15 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 19:15:29 -0400

My Drill Sergeants set the standard for what I would expect from NCOs for the rest of my career. Leadership, Mentorship, and the ability to influence Soldiers to want to be their best. So to answer the question "Did you like your Drill Sergeants (Instructors) absolutely they are the reason I have had the opportunity to have a successful career.

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Oct 6 at 2015 1:44 AM

SrA Matthew Knight — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 01:44:22 -0400

At the time and given the circumstances, nope. You weren't supposed to like them. I will say this though, regardless of whether or not I liked them it did feel weird when another instructor would have to take over because ours was gone. There was only one substitute instructor that worked with our flight that wasn't odd because he subbed for us frequently so it's almost like he became our secondary instructor. That and the man was a great mentor, he was all work through the day and then once mail time came around and we were all gathered in the day room he would give legitimately good advice on how to make the most of our time in the Air Force. He found a good balance and used it to train people well. Guess he wasn't a blue rope for nothing.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 22 at 2015 11:51 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Nov 2015 11:51:54 -0500

I still keep in contact with at least two of them. One was also a 35F and I consult them before making any major career moves. The other was a reserve drill sergeant and an excellent NCO. If my plans for commissioning fails, that will be my first option.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2016 10:57 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 May 2016 10:57:41 -0400

I thought my female drill sergeant in BCT was bipolar. Craziest thing I've ever seen. The other one was Sgt Slaughters twin. He looked just him!!! He was a badass. I liked them, they each brought something different to the table.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2018 9:42 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 Jun 2018 09:42:08 -0400

DS Young 11-B Fort Jackson BRAVO 2-39 not only did he help us get in great shape he also helped instill discipline for my Career and life lessons and for that I thank him very much

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2018 5:21 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 Jun 2018 17:21:24 -0400

Mike Company, 3rd Recruit Battalion, MCRD San Diego
Platton 3056
Sr DI - SSgt Atondo (Father)
DI - SSgt Gurerro (Hammer)
DI - Sgt Wikenson (Practical Knowledge)
DI In Training - SSgt Shute (Barney Fife)

The only one I disliked was SSgt Shute. Could not call cadence, would miscall command, messed up history and other practical knowledge and was, I believe, more of a handful for the 3 DIs than we were.

1st month was a love/hate relationship. I loved to hate them. 2nd and 3rd months I fell in love, Marine Corps style, with our 3 DIs. They were super squared away, constantly pushing for better than what we were doing, though never our friend. Utmost respect!

Response by SGT Jake Miller made Jun 12 at 2018 11:52 AM

SGT Jake Miller — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 11:52:28 -0400

I don't remember them from basic, but in AIT, I got caught chewing out at the last ftx. They smoked me with the whole can of dip in my lip, I had to swallow all the juice from the dip. Anyway a week later that same DS offered me dip, when I took the can, he told me that I would make a NCO.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2018 12:15 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 12:15:51 -0400

DS Stricker ft Jackson. Man couldn't make up his mind, constantly doing his own thing, he could call cadence though. About the only good thing he did besides teaching us how to wipe our ass with one square of toilet paper.

Response by COL William Oseles made Jun 12 at 2018 1:18 PM

COL William Oseles — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 13:18:44 -0400

My Senior Drill Sergeant in Basic was a Nam Vet and half of his skull was metal due to being wounded in Nam. On Cold Mornings you could see him slow down walking from the office to formation. And at Fort Lost in the Woods in the State of Misery in December through February we had some cold mornings.
SFC Ronald A. Grise, 1st Platoon, E-5/2 "The Saints"

Response by MSgt Michael Lane made Jun 12 at 2018 10:17 PM

MSgt Michael Lane — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 22:17:13 -0400

The only thing I really remember was running into my DS like 5 years later and we were the same rank. It just put a smile on my face Lol.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 24 at 2018 9:11 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Sep 2018 21:11:17 -0400

(Fort Sill, D 1-79) The Senior DS was gone for about 7 weeks, but the one other remaining DS (11B) of my Platoon could have ran the entire battery himself. The man was both physically and mentally hard as nails. He was probably as cruel as he could be while still being respectful and without it being literal abuse; He would stress us because that's one of the key points of BCT, to be able to keep a cool head under stress, not because he just felt like tormenting someone. He was extremely thorough with teaching and explaining to us our WTBD's and everything else we'd encounter in BCT. He, at least from my perspective, is who I compare literally every other NCO I meet to, and who I aspire to be like. He did not have to DEMAND respect and he made sure we would all become the best soldiers we could be.

Most of the other DS's were very admirable in similar senses. I only didn't really care for one of them, who seemed to just show up because he had didn't really care about breaking down and building up future soldiers.

Response by SFC Dennis A. made Sep 24 at 2018 9:42 PM

SFC Dennis A. — Mon, 24 Sep 2018 21:42:29 -0400

I can't say that I knew them well enough to say that I liked them. I did have a lot of respect for them.

Response by CW2 Michael Bodnar made Jun 11 at 2019 8:39 AM

CW2 Michael Bodnar — Tue, 11 Jun 2019 08:39:07 -0400

I'm a prior service Marine so I've never had any interactions with Drill Sergeants. Drill Instructors on the other hand, a different breed all together. I despised them going through boot camp but ran into two of them later on in my career. They were down to earth Marines who were put there to make Marines. They even remembered me and still called me by my nickname they gave me when I got to Paris Island.

Response by SGT Stephen Crawford made Apr 15 at 2020 6:25 AM

SGT Stephen Crawford — Wed, 15 Apr 2020 06:25:31 -0400

Yes, some were a little overly zealous

Response by MSgt Michael Lane made Apr 16 at 2020 9:25 AM

MSgt Michael Lane — Thu, 16 Apr 2020 09:25:31 -0400

The thing I remember most about my instructor is I was sent TDY to my basic training base 8 years later and she was marching a group down the road and we were the same RANK I just remember having a big smile.

Response by Sgt Jordan Foster made Apr 16 at 2020 9:35 AM

Sgt Jordan Foster — Thu, 16 Apr 2020 09:35:42 -0400

Marine sees Drill instrustror during field op in 29 palms “Sir”because we’re all recruits inside to these guys still “do you remember me you corrected my hand placement by busting my eyebrow” Drill instructor smirks nods up and down says nope don’t remember but you was good after that day. So I share that to say I guess they were pretty cool.

Response by SSG Eric Blue made Apr 25 at 2020 5:49 PM

SSG Eric Blue — Sat, 25 Apr 2020 17:49:57 -0400

Oh HELL YES! They were awesome individuals who didn't take any crap and would defend you like their own when you were right, but scuff you like sneakers when you were wrong to teach you to be right. I enjoyed their company more outside of BCT & AIT when I caught them at Bragg, Wainwright, or on deployment somewhere. While we knew the relationship we previously had, we greeted each other like old friends.

Response by Cadet 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2020 1:57 PM

Cadet 2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 May 2020 13:57:58 -0400

At the time, no. It was a different army. But I recognized what they were trying to teach me and so I did my best to learn. At the end of the day it wasn't nothing personal.

Response by SSG George Holtje made May 20 at 2020 8:16 PM

SSG George Holtje — Wed, 20 May 2020 20:16:51 -0400

Eventually I did. I was more respect out of sheer terror. After the first week, they started letting us know they were human beings with interests, hobbies, families and experiences that started with being young privates. So, I did...eventually.

Response by LCDR Joshua Gillespie made Jun 5 at 2020 1:09 PM

LCDR Joshua Gillespie — Fri, 05 Jun 2020 13:09:44 -0400

We had one Gunnery Sergeant who would've made a devil cry. He was big, mean... and made no secret of the fact he thoroughly enjoyed putting a bunch of spoiled little snottys through hell. When we completed those unforgettable months, and the remaining year of "plebedom" however... he was among the first to shake each of our hands and congratulate us on joining the Brigade. We loved him...because he was hard, and because he exemplified the tenacity and ability of the enlisted professionals we aspired to serve with once commencing our careers.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2020 1:38 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Jun 2020 13:38:54 -0400

I was indifferent toward them. I did end up chatting with one of them on Facebook a few months ago. He ended up getting out after he made 6. Said he found work In the utilities field. Didn’t really sound that happy about it so I don’t know if the decision to leave was his. Kinda sad to see.