Posted on Mar 1, 2015
SGT(P) Daniel McBride
50K
180
60
5
5
0
I'm close to making E-6 as an 88M. I want something outside of my CMF that could assist me in making E-7 and guide me into possible retirement.
Avatar feed
See Results
Responses: 37
Votes
  • Newest
  • Oldest
  • Votes
1px xxx
Suspended Profile
Drill Sergeant seems more fulfilling to me. Taking a raw, unknowing, scared individual, and give them the foundation to become a lean, mean, confident soldier.

Takes a special kind of person.
MSG Raul Dinzey
MSG Raul Dinzey
>1 y
I served three years as a Drill Sergeant at Fort Dix, NJ from 2/1987 to 2/1990. Two years in Basic Training and one year at the Reception Battalion as a Senior Drill Sergeant. Being a Drill Sergeant brought out the best and worst in me. The best because I was driven, self motivated and wanted to excel in everything I did. The worst because I did not manage stress well and it took me years to be less of a Type A personality and more of a Type B personality. Being flexible to your environment and your partner takes some getting used to. Being a Drill Sergeant helped to test myself and to see what I was made of. Motivated, dedicated, driven and dog gone determined to get the job done right the first time.
(2)
Reply
(0)
SSG Platoon Sergeant
SSG (Join to see)
>1 y
Dead on, SSG Christopher Adame!
(0)
Reply
(0)
SFC Jerry Barker
6
6
0
If you enjoy being a "soldier," stay as far away as you can from Recruiting Command. Professionally, yes, they are necessary. Personally, that was the worst job I have had in my entire life. I was forced into the job for three years, then had a one year involuntary extension when I was down to six months. I left as a Gold Badge Recruiter, so no, I wasn't a failure at it. The JOB could be rewarding, but Recruiting Command is a different story. Four years with no support system. Four years of constant threats of having my career destroyed if I didn't meet quota, that renew at the first day of every month. Four years of having to take "working vacations" where you take leave, only to go to work in civilian clothes in order to make mission. You see, if you take more than 14 days of leave, they reduce your mission. Guess what never gets approved? So you take shorter vacations but have to work anyway to make mission. I could go on and on, how the stress ends careers, destroys marriages, results in suicides, and USAREC could care less. Stay far, far away.
(6)
Comment
(0)
SFC Charles S.
SFC Charles S.
>1 y
Sounds like we had very similar experiences. Recruiting eats their own was the under the breath BN motto.
(2)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
MSG Mark Perry
6
6
0
I will have to say a Drill Sergeant. As a leader, you look influence others by providing purpose, motivation, and direction (funny I still remember that definition after being retired for over 4 years). As a Drill Sergeant, you have the opportunity to actually develop future leaders and isn't that the role of a true NCO. You will have the opportunity to make a major impact in a large number of Soldier's lives by influencing, molding, or even shaping them into great leaders. Nothing against Recruiters, their job is as important but to have that role of developing the Soldiers of our great Army, means a lot to me.
(6)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
Avatar feed
Drill Sergeant or Recruiter? ** and why in comments**
See Results
SFC Michael Hasbun
5
5
0
Recruiter. I have to imagine the interpersonal communication skills learned there are a lot more transferable to the outside world..
(5)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SFC Combat Engineer
4
4
0
There's more soldering as a drill sergeant. If you want to sit at a desk be a recruiter. Obviously that's not all Recruiters do. I'm just saying. Being a drill sergeant is awesome, challenging, and fun
(4)
Comment
(0)
SFC Platoon Sergeant
SFC (Join to see)
>1 y
I believe you should go for the challenging part ; DS!
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
COL Charles Williams
4
4
0
I can't pick... As they are both essential to our Army. It depends on what you want to do. Both are super important, but difficult for different reasons. I am not a salesman, or extrovert, so I think would have a hard time as a recruiter. Plus the stress of making mission would be rough. I believe I would enjoy being DS more.

For you SGT(P) Daniel McBride , you have to decide what you would enjoy most.
(4)
Comment
(0)
SSG Paul Lanciault
SSG Paul Lanciault
>1 y
I think Drill Sergeants are more respected. And for good reason. Not many good things to say about recruiting. I'm sure they start with the best of intentions, but turn into car salesmen in time. Quotas etc I'm sure play into that. Recruiting should give up on the numbers and focus on the quality of the recruits.
(2)
Reply
(0)
COL Charles Williams
COL Charles Williams
>1 y
Clearly, there is more prestige with with being a DS, but we need good NCOs in both positions. I think the stress recruiters have to make numbers, would make it quite a bit less fun. That said, the current environment (downsizing) make recruiting a whole lot less stressful. In my time in the Army, it seemed like NCOs who were selected for DS duty were excited and those selected for recruiting were less than thrilled. My best CSM (as a Battalion/Brigade Commander) was a gold badge recruiter).
(1)
Reply
(0)
SFC Louis Roesch
SFC Louis Roesch
>1 y
@COL Williams...In my experience it was more difficult recruiting during a downsizing because the quotas became more strict for who was allowed entry and of course just like the civilian sector we wanted to attract only the best and brightest. During times like Desert Storm, the quotas seldom slacked by categories meaning that if you weren't qualified before Desert Storm you were probably still not qualified during Desert Storm contrary to popular belief.
(1)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
1SG Frank Boynton
4
4
0
I was an E-6 88M when I attended drill sgt school. But I was prior 11B. It worked for me. I was selected for my advanced course below the zone and was able to attend my school during my last cycle of basic training. When I completed my advanced course I returned to the trail and had orders in hand for my next assignment. It is what allowed me to make 7 first time in the primary. I select Drill Sgt because you control your own future, unlike a Recruiter who has to worry every single day he's going to make quota, and the current public opinion doesn't change at a whim, which means a drop in popularity of the services for the just graduating high schooler. I assisted some recruiters from Olean New York for a week, and I wouldn't do that job for anything. Unless you're like the best used car salesman, I'd advise against it. As a drill sgt, you know what's expected of you every single cycle. If you have the drive and love of the job, you will succeed. It's a tough job. I trained mostly female cycles, seldom had more than a weekend off between cycles, unlike male cycles who had at least a week and sometimes 2 weeks off between cycles. But it was one of the most fulfilling jobs I had in the Army. I was drill sergeant of the cycle for 3 cycles in a row in my first year. I was involuntarily extended for a 3rd year, but I loved the job. Hated the location, Ft. Dix, NJ was the armpit of the world, really. It opened a lot of doors for me after the assignment also. Made E-8 in the secondary zone and was selected for Sgt Maj. Academy, but gave it up to retire at 37 years old. E-5's struggled as Drill Sergeants. The power is overwhelming. You must be very mature and dedicated to the military to succeed as a Drill Sergeant. Most the Drill relieved from the trial during the 3 years I was there at Ft. Dix, were E-5's, both male and female.
(4)
Comment
(0)
SFC Louis Roesch
SFC Louis Roesch
>1 y
13 years in the recruiting force and as 1SG Boynton said your success was based on how hard you worked...it definitely was not a 9-5 job in Dayton Ohio (1984-93) and St Louis (1993-1996). One of the best rewards though were meeting and working with not just several of the finest NCO's in the Army but on special events that included meeting people like Lee Greenwood, General William Westmoreland, General William Ryder General James Yarborough President Gerald Ford and George H.W. Bush just to name a few. If I had to do it over again, I would want to try being on the trail.
(2)
Reply
(0)
SFC Frederick Hammel
SFC Frederick Hammel
>1 y
I would say being a Drill Instructor is way better, I was one from 97-2000, I love it I was a 13B and trained those for that MOS. As I seen in another comment Recruiters have a quota to make, we did not. I always strived to weed those soldiers out that I would not want to serve next to me in a foxhole.
(1)
Reply
(0)
MSG Garland Moore
MSG Garland Moore
>1 y
I was a Recruiter from 1977 to 1984. Was DA controlled. Tried two times to get off recruiting duty after 7+ years and was denied each time. So I ETS'd as an E-7 with 12 years active duty service as a 30 year old and used my GI Bill to go to college and eventually law school. All that I learned and did on Recruiting Duty served me well in later years. I am proud to have been a Recruiter, but I was ready for a change. I volunteered for any hardship assignment in the world, and was still told "No, you stay on recruiting duty!" Ended up going into USAR (5 years TPU and 6 years IRR). Such is life!
(2)
Reply
(0)
SFC Jim Tanquary
SFC Jim Tanquary
>1 y
I was a Recruiter from 1971 to my retirement in 1982. I loved my job and followed all the rules and didnt have a problem making my goals. It meant alot of hours but when I saw a soldier return successfully I felt I had done my job. I never has a complaint, received Commendation Medal for my services with USAREC and retired with a gold badge w/2 sapphire stars. I have always believed that if you love you job, you will never work a day in your life.
(1)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
SFC David Zamora
3
3
0
I wasn't a DS so I can't really say one or the other and I can only speak of my experience as a recruiter. I got hit with Recruiting orders and reluctantly went and did it. I went to recruiting school at Ft Jackson where we were housed next to the DS school and we had class every day from 1200-1800 M-F and weekends off. It was all classroom instruction and I can't remember doing PT while I was there except for the APFT. Meanwhile, while we were strolling over to our POVs to go to class in the afternoon after sleeping in, the DS' were marching around and yelling modules to trees..... at that point I was glad I was a recruiter. In the end, I voluntarily extended to stay in recruiting longer and tried to convert to 79R but at that time they weren't converting E-7's so I had to go back to the line.

I thoroughly enjoyed recruiting and getting away from the normal stupidity that goes hand in hand with regular army. Organized PT, formations 12 times a day, Motor Pool Mondays, hand receipts, inventory, getting called in at 0 dark stupid because one of your Soldiers was a dumb ass. In recruiting, you're expected to be able to do your job with little or no supervision and you're given free reign to do that.

If you really like "playing Army" and doin all that stuff, then to each his own, I personally enjoyed being away from it and it also set me up for my new career post army as an Executive Recruiter and I absolutely LOVE this job. Plus it pays MUCH MUCH MUCH better than any Enlisted rank to include the SMA and even most officer ranks. I don't think there's many civilian jobs out there that will hire you on straight out of the military making 6 figures because you have DS experience, but recruiting experience can easily do that.
(3)
Comment
(0)
CSM Charles Hayden
CSM Charles Hayden
>1 y
SFC David Zamora That was a great post about learning to be a salesman.

A local recruiter told me he found himself in personal interactions he would never have attempted in his regular MOS. He told me he was a totally different person after being a recruiter for a while!
(1)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
SFC Bhrett Sikkema
3
3
0
As one of the few that has done both jobs, it would have to be Drill Sergeant. Recruiter was one of the hardest on the family and really did nothing for my career. I was in recruiting from 97-98, yes less than a complete three years but unlike others when I was offered the chance to get out I did. My penance for leaving early was another trip to Korea. Drill Sergeant, 01-04, signing in as 9-11 occurred and being involuntarily extended for a third year, was one of the best assignments I ever had. Training troops to thrive and survive in their future endeavors was satisfying in a way that recruiting could never touch. Yes the rules have changed since I went through basic back in the 80's but there are no quotas and when you are off duty, something you never are as a recruiter, you are off. The hours are long and dealing with fresh kids every 8 or so weeks can be challenging, but if I had to do it over again, I would take the trail over recruiting every time.
(3)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SPC Ken Harper
3
3
0
I'd say DS, because you would have the op to mold civilians into soldiers, transform them into something they even have doubts about themselves, and you would be their first real role model. How many troops remember their recruiter? How many remember their DS/DI? Who do you see comments about, the recruiter or DS? The recruiters get them in, the DS molds them into soldiers.
(3)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
1SG Eoc Ops Coordinator / Ga Certified Emergency Manager
3
3
0
I was DA selected for Recruiting (82-85), I fought like hell to not go. Recruiting back then was a different world then recruiting duty today. But I still ask when I see the badge and it's still a hated assignment by the majority. The things that we were taught as young Soldiers and NCOs were often tossed out in the yard. Morale, welfare of the Soldier, consideration for their family and family issues all took a back seat to putting someone on the floor, getting the contract, shipping that DEP, and mission box; Hero to zero with just the overnight change in the date at the end of the recruiting month. It was rough for me, well, actually I made it rough for myself as a recruiting station commander because I refused to turn my back on my recruiters when they needed someone to support them. Even so, when I left recruiting at the end of my 3 yr detailed duty, I had made E7 while out there (1 0f 2 in my MOS that year that got promoted Army wide and both of us were on recruiting duty). Because of my stubborness, I did not leave with a max EER, however, I was successful and had the awards to show for it. All I wanted was to get back to the mainstream Army and back to leading Soldiers and not being lead by those who had forgotten what leading was.
,
Recruiting today has changed a great deal and for the better in my opinion, however, it's still a dreaded duty assignment. There are also many war stories about Drill Sergeant Duty as well. The Army has changed a great deal since the time I'm writing about and my old tales won't help with the decision making.

I would suggest that you go out and visit your local Army Recruiting Office and talk to the Recruiters. You will most likely hear the good and the bad aspect of the assignment. Talk to some of the former Drill Sergeants from your unit, battalion, etc. Then sit down and make the old Pros/Cons list for each one. Do some self reflection on your personality, leadership style, tolerance for BS, how would each one impact your family/marriage, if money is an issue-then add that to the consideration. Most recruiting assignments will prevent you from have access to PX, commissary, etc.

Good thinking on your part in looking forward and wanting to make the decision before you get orders and then have no choice. Wishing you good luck with which ever one you choose...either way, I suspect you will do well......whether you like it out there or not and will be glad to back to a TO&E unit again.
(3)
Comment
(0)
SFC David Zamora
SFC David Zamora
10 y
Great advice! Couldn't agree more.
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
SFC Keith Griffith
3
3
0
Greetings! I ended up doing an AGR tour as a US Army Reserve Recruiter (00E40) back in 1983-86... I was a devout introvert when I started, and felt like a fish out of the water for most of the first year... Glad I had an awesome Station Commander who actually knew how hard it was to put people in boots. My RA counterparts had missions of 1-2 per month, my lowest mission in 3 years was 5! Never rolled a doughnut, and only had a single twinkie in 33 months on production. Earned a gold badge the second year and was Reserve Recruiter of the Year, Top 56 Club, etc.

Had a nearly 1-1 conversion rating, so my reward was making phone calls to help out the RA recruiters with missions of 1 who weren't making it....

Three years of Recruiting duty was more than enough, but got recruited off AD to become an Executive Recruiter with Management Recruiters International... Spent almost 15 years hunting heads.... Living at Ft Living Room was nice and gave me a path to civilian employment.
(3)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
CSM Michael J. Uhlig
3
3
0
I am partial to Drill Sergeants within the unit, they are master trainers!

There are additional options to consider concerning the generating force, have you thought about becoming an AIT Platoon Sergeant or becoming a Service School Instructor?
(3)
Comment
(0)
SGT(P) Daniel McBride
SGT(P) Daniel McBride
>1 y
Honestly CSM, I have. Even the possibilitary of being an O.C. has crossed my mind. Whatever can help me advance...I will broaden my horizons and do to the fullest of my abilities.
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
SFC Armor Crew Member
2
2
0
Either are listed as critical right now. Either are looked at as helping you when Branch looks at you for your MOS. The question is going to be what do you feel that you can handle the most of. I am going into recruiting knowing that there are a lot of challenges that I am going to face in recruiting, yet these are something that I am willing to face and when I looked at the option of Drill Sergeant it was something that I was not interested in at all. I am more interested in bringing future Soldiers into the Army than dealing with the Soldiers that are brought in. When you look at "which one is going to help you more" they are both going to help you the same. It is all going to depend on you.
(2)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
LTC Matthew Robinson
2
2
0
I commanded a Recruiting Company for over four years and found it the hardest assignment in my military career, and I served two tours in Baghdad, one at the tactical level and one at the operational level. I never felt so estranged from my military family. I do not speak of geography. I and my NCOs suffered a wide variety of indignities as we sought qualified applicants; many of which seemed to find their source in our HQ. All that aside, I learned more about leadership in those years than I would have thought possible; lessons which stood me in good stead walking the streets of Baghdad.
(2)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SSG Thomas Hosfelt
2
2
0
I was a recruiter for more than five years. First year was great from then on it was all down hill. I was working so many hours that I mine as well have done deployment after deployment. When you're succesful you're the man in the chain of commands eyes. One bad month is a bad NCOER. You can have a stellar year and one or two bad months you're just a dud. It doesn't matter to the chain how many hours you've worked how many you've put in boots in the past. I got out by volunteering to deploy ended up getting shot twice seeing two of my comrades brutally murdered when I retu my chain of command wanted me to forget what had happened and return to duty as a recruiter. Best day of my life was the day I medical retired 100% disable with TBI and severe PTSD.
(2)
Comment
(0)
SFC Harold Benton
SFC Harold Benton
>1 y
I am sorry that was your way out and i wish you all the best. Your description of recruiting mirrored mine. In October of my second year i received many awards at the end of year battalion banquet. At the end of that month I had "rolled a donut". I was counseled on being an ineffective recruiter. My comment of the form was that if I am an ineffective recruiter I should be sent back to the regular Army. A couple months later i was out and back home in the field artillery.
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
SFC Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear Operations Specialist
2
2
0
It all depends on what you want. Having an additional duty assignment like DS or Recruiter is definitely helpful. Are you more of a "Ruckin' it Alongside your Troops" kind of a leader or a "Logistical" leader.

The other things you could look into are AIT Instructor/PSG or NCOES Instructor.
(2)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
1SG William Svoboda
2
2
0
I was both a Service school Instructor and a black hat trainer as well as an NCO Academy SGL and Senior Instructor there. I never compare the three, Recruiter, Drill SGT, or Service School however, I do believe all three have equal promotion potential and career enhancements. There are some post service benefits to the recruiter and service school training and experience that the DI position lacks. 1st, recruiter TNG sets you up for great sales both inside and outside, positions. The instructor opens up classroom teacher, TNG positions, etc. An example is when I applied for my teachers credentials the TNG and certifications I received as a service school instructor saved me 1500 dollars and 4 college courses. The experience itself prepared me for the classroom. Now I know the DI teaches and can also be good experience for the classroom in civilian schools but I'm not sure of the transfer of credits and course requirements being met. Bottom line up front, your choice and subsequent selection for either of these two (3), career choices will be based on personality, opportunity, and short/long term goals. We all know some that shouldn't have been a DI, recruiter, or instructor and others that were bang on perfect for the jobs. DA selection only looks at numbers and I think you should be interviewed once selected to determine aptitude.
(2)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SFC Raymond Koeller
2
2
0
I did both. Recruiter from 91-94 and DS from 2000-2004. Recruiting sucks unless you are good at sales. I wasn't. DS is the most difficult job I ever loved. It is probably easier to hurt your career in recruiting then as a DS. If you miss your numbers, stress goes up for you, your station, and your family. At least as a DS you still have all the support of a military base.
(2)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SGM Operations Sergeant Major
2
2
0
While I think it is important that you are looking ahead and trying to take the steps to assist you in promotion. I also think is important that you complete that step previous to making SFC. You are a sergeant now, get your 18 to 24 months in that next duty position. I am not an 88M so I do know the progression from Sgt to Ssg. I can safely deduct that it's something of greater responsibility. Then once you have done that make your choise on which route to take. Being a drill sergeant or recruiter is important but it is more important that we put Soldiers in these positions who are already qualified in their current grade or rank. Either way most of this is opinion and I wish you the best.
(2)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
LCDR Vice President
2
2
0
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.
(2)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SFC Arthur Tucker
2
2
0
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?
(2)
Comment
(0)
CSM Charles Hayden
CSM Charles Hayden
7 y
PVT James Strait Does his refrain hit any chords for you? SFC Arthur Tucker
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
SSG Warren Swan
1
1
0
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.
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SFC Joseph Belote
1
1
0
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.
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SFC Keith Bailey
1
1
0
I was forced / ordered to do it.
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
1SG Clifford Walters
1
1
0
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.
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
CSM Alicia Castillo
1
1
0
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.
(1)
Comment
(0)
SFC Keith Bailey
SFC Keith Bailey
>1 y
You need to learn about the Delayed Entry Program.. Takes a lot of leadership and mentoring these people who many not ship for up to a year. They also can quit at anytime. Try holding a bunch of teenagers to this commitment with just a sales pitch..
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
SFC Harold Benton
1
1
0
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.
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SSG Financial Management Technician
0
0
0
DS is fast track for promotions. Often you'll see CSM with the drill sergeant patch.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SFC Charles S.
0
0
0
Edited >1 y ago
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.
(0)
Comment
(0)
SFC David Zamora
SFC David Zamora
10 y
I feel for ya and my hat's off to you for having had to do it back then when it was really hard. I came in in 99 and I saw what my recruiter had to do and I didn't wanna do it either. My experience from 2008-2011 was much better and a whole lot easier. Hardly had to do anything because we had 10 recruiters and usually we were only on a station mission for 5-9 depending so everyone wasn't even expected to put in a contract. We still pushed for 1 per recruiter per month but if we made mission, we would hold the rest until after mission day.... and so it went... all we had to do was keep the funnel full.

I encouraged several of my old NCO's to go recruiting and I still talk to them and they all love it.
(1)
Reply
(0)
SFC Charles S.
SFC Charles S.
10 y
Most months while I was on the BAG... I had a Mission of 3 or 4 Contracts a month. WOW... I can't imagine a month with only 1 contract.
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
SFC Bde Mobility Nco
0
0
0
Where is AIT PSG at? I prefer that over Drill and Recruiter. I was one in 2011-2013. U have a direct impact on the transportation corp. all 88 mikes come through 58th trans. It's only 3 companies also. You are managing 100+ privates everyday for 8 weeks. When I was there every SSG made SFC. Even one with 0 college credit hours. I wanted to be a drill when I was a ssg until I saw my first e-5 drill, then I was like nah. They have sgt doing this gig.
(0)
Comment
(0)
MSG Reid Stone
MSG Reid Stone
>1 y
1974, Fort Ord, CA, we had a drill CPL! He was a DI in the Marine Corps and reenlisted into the army, lost one paygrade but was allowed to remain in DS status. He had made SGT by the time our cycle was done. And we had two SGT's that had rotated out of Vietnam into DS duty. Of course Fort Ord was the home of the 7th ID!
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
SGT Bryon Sergent
0
0
0
Will relate to the outside world!
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SGT William Howell
0
0
0
Ask any recruiter why!
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
1SG Kevin Siegmund
0
0
0
I got drafted for recruiting in my 5th week of DSS. Being a Drill Sergeant at McClellan was the most difficult and rewarding part of my career. 92-94 A 795th MP.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SFC Charles Hester
0
0
0
Because I was one from Feb 2002- 2005 Ft. Benning Ga Eco 2/58
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SFC Jamie Whitaker
0
0
0
Either way is a good road to excell. It takes commitment and belief in what your are doing.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SFC Dennis Yancy
0
0
0
Schooling helps alot. Take any one week course they offer. I made staff when points dropped to 992.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small

Join nearly 2 million former and current members of the US military, just like you.

How are you connected to the military?
  • Active Duty
  • Active Reserve / National Guard
  • Pre-Commission
  • Veteran / Retired
  • Civilian Supporter