Drill Sergeant or Recruiter? ** and why in comments**

I have seen too many people get in trouble on Recruiting duty. Not that you are a trouble maker but I avoided it like the plague.

When I rotated back to the states from Panama they wanted me to go to the 10th SFA in Massachusetts I felt like I could not handle the cold weather after being in Panama for 3 and one half years. Special Forces was going through a down sizing and I was first offered a job as a recruiter which I declined then drill sergeant and I declined again. I finally settled on a ROTC assignment to Georgia Institute of Technology. I guess you could say that was both Drill Sergeant and Recruiter. It was enough that I decided to retire from there after 2 years there and a total of 21 and one half years of military. I took a job as a corporate pilot after that and spent 31 years at that and still do some corporate fill in and flight instruct. At 75 years of age I keep thinking that it is time to retire but just cannot make myself do it. Every year when it is time to renew my flight physical I think maybe that will be my last but I have been passing it and go for another year. I think I need a good vacation. Any advice?

Call me biased, but go with being a DS. Both are respectable and honorable, but to be a DS, it takes a hard commitment to knowing the line between mentor, counselor, leader, and in rare cases recommending discipline. DS are the biggest pricks you'll ever meet, but man are they some of the best pricks you'll ever get to follow.

SGT McBride, I commend you on taking your career seriously, not simply waiting and relying on decisions made for your career by people who most likely know very little about you other than what is on paper, and your seeking advice from others (who are as much your mentors and your admirers). Of all the comments I've seen posted so far to your question, I've only seen truth as seen from others eyes and the impact the differences have made in their lives and careers. Life is too short to live feeling like victim rather than a victor; therefore, if you have a preference one way or another then make your choice suit you. The most important part of your decision is will it make you happy and feel fulfilled living doing what you have selected. I have trained recruits (not as a Drill Sergeant) and I have recruited (as a school trained recruiter) and found them equally rewarding. There is no doubt that recruiters deal with pressures that are hard to adapt to from "normal" military service; however, those same pressures will push you to be dependent on yourself without the ability to blame anyone except yourself for your results (or lack thereof). No doubt Drill Sergeants make lasting impressions on everyone who makes it through Basic Combat Training; however, Recruiters make the largest and longest lasting (regardless if most realize it or not). Without a recruiter there would be any young Americans for Drill Sergeants to mold. Recruiters must have the vision to see those diamonds in the rough, convince them and their centers of influences that they have something undeniable to contribute to the service of our nation, and them aid them in passing through the gauntlet of a weeding out process. Meanwhile, Recruiters must live out the Army Values among people who know nothing of these strong principles we hold high without compromising any of these. Few thank their Recruiter for helping them clean themselves up to get into the Army; whereas, virtually everyone revears their DI as the artist who painted Army Green int their veins. Your decision is certainly important to your career. Choose what is right for you. Do you want to stand in front of recruits, stand I front of civilians, or stand behind those you trained at an AIT graduation? It is ultimately where you will find comfort that matters.

I was forced / ordered to do it.

I was an 11B SFC and DA selected for Drill Sergeant duty at Ft. Dix New Jersey. I served as a Drill Sergeant and Senior Drill Sergeant for two years and as First Sergeant for 2 years after that. I feel Drill Sergeants have the opportunity to teach and mentor trainees through leadership by example that produces excellent soldiers for the force. Drill Sergeants also get to see the results of their work. After 40 years I still know the name of my Drill Sergeant (Holt). I do not remember my recruiter.

I am partial to Drill Sergeant, but have to agree with COL Williams both are essential to our Army. As a Drill Sergeant your skills as a leader are refined, training, coaching, and mentoring become second nature. You wont get those leadership opportunities as a Recruiter, once the recruits paper work is complete, you move on to the next one. As for retirement, my advice is retire with a degree, the competition is real. Good luck to you.

I was drafted into recruiting as a young Staff Sergeant (1983). Your actions do not control your destiny or accomplishments, the whims of others do.

I was drafted into being a Drill Sergeant in 1995 as an SFC. It was a much more physically demanding job and required even more time than recruiting but it was a much more fulfilling and enjoyable job.

DS is fast track for promotions. Often you'll see CSM with the drill sergeant patch.

I picked Drill Sergeant for this poll because I was a Recruiter. I would not wish Recruiter on anyone. It was a Three year black whole in my life and Career... I know the old adage about the grass is always greener wherever you are not. but There is more prestige and credit to having been a Drill than a Recruiter. The Army Needs both and they are both Career Enders or Enhancers. My Preference would be Drill. I wish I would have volunteered for Drill before I was selected for Recruiting. However I did see a couple recruiter who had Been Drills... that would have been a double helping of Suck...but as the Infantry say... EMBRACE the suck.

I was recruiting in the Los Angeles BN. Hard assignment, Nobody wanted to go in but I made mission more often than not and I got out with my skin in tact. I was a Gold badge with Triple Sapphires, Just short of a ring recruiter. It was 93-96 There were high Missions and a lot of recruiters who were bagged for improprieties and I was NOT one of them. I held my ground and made it out alive.

When Forced to Sink or swim back then Soldiers were good at making things happen to stay afloat but in the long run the short cuts were what got them. If they left the rules behind they were cannon fodder.