I'm an E-5 looking to maybe become a drill sergeant or an AIT platoon sergeant. Can I do that from the national guard?

SGT Robert Cupp — Mon, 18 Jul 2016 23:26:06 -0400

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Jul 18 at 2016 11:38 PM

SSG Roger Ayscue — Mon, 18 Jul 2016 23:38:51 -0400

I think that you have to do that from the Army Reserve. When I was in TRADOC, all the Reserve comp Soldiers that came in to augment us were from Army reserve units. There are several Army Reserve Divisions that are Institutional Instruction units.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 19 at 2016 12:01 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 00:01:39 -0400

You can be a drill sergeant in the guard. We had NG DS's in 30th AG two years ago. Im not sure how it works. I'd follow up with a recruiter or your chain of command.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 19 at 2016 12:25 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 00:25:36 -0400

There are many more opportunities for being a drill sergeant in the Reserves. As SSG Roger Ayscue mentioned, the 108th Training Command is the Reserve Component command that contain the initial entry training divisions. The 95th Division is pretty much everything west of the Mississippi and the 98th Division is east of the Mississippi. As an 11B this is a great place for advancement and getting back to the more traditional soldier skills. I served as a commander of a battalion in the 1st BDE, 98th Division in Louisiana. Great job and truly enjoyed my time with the soldiers that served as Drill Sergeants. We also had many transfers from the LA NG as they were limited in their promotion opportunities for E6 and above. Depending on the NG unit, they'll either receive you back with open arms as you've had a broadening assignment or you'll be "stuck" on the Reserve side. I know it's that way on the officer side but have seen it been a bit better on the NCO side of the house. Let me know if you have any other questions and good luck on get the Round Brown!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 19 at 2016 7:10 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 07:10:00 -0400

Absolutely, that is a doable goal in the national guard. As far as the AIT training NCO I am not sure, but I I know there is definitely positions for schools like BLC and MOS reclass schools. If you are interested in doing either you should definitely go after it, only draw back is you might have to be a E-6 to instruct.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 19 at 2016 8:02 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 08:02:12 -0400

You'll have to be an E6 with two years TIG to be an AIT PSG.

Response by CSM William Payne made Jul 19 at 2016 12:54 PM

CSM William Payne — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 12:54:23 -0400

As the former Command Sergeant Major of the Army Reserve 108th Training Command (Initial Entry Training) and a Drill Sergeant School Commandant I can tell you that we have had some National Guard Soldiers go through the school, but very few.

The problem is that the Drill Sergeant mission lies in the purview of the Army Reserve. But, if that is something you truly aspire to do, the Army Reserve is ALWAYS looking for good candidates.

The requirements to become a Drill Sergeants are high and deservingly so. It's a huge responsibility to turn civilians into Soldiers. You train Soldiers of all components; Active, Guard and Reserve. And if you are training Infantry Soldiers, you may be the final link in their training before deployment. You can attend school as a Sergeant promotable.

Having said that, being a Drill Sergeant is one of the best steps you can take for promotion, especially as deployment opportunities are starting to decline. If you spend any time around NCOs at the highest level, just look to see how many wear the pumpkin patch.

There are Drill Sergeant units all over the country as noted by LTC Bogle, with the 98th Division headquartered at Fort Benning responsible for the eastern states and the 95th Division headquartered out of Fort Sill responsible for units in the west.

It is fairly common is for Reserve and Guard Soldiers to move between the components, though it does becomes more difficult as you move up in rank. You just need to maintain those relationships.

Also, if I remember correctly, there is a three year obligation to serve as Drill Sergeant once you have completed the course.

I will tell you that I worked in that arena for almost thirty years and enjoyed it immensely. It provided me with many opportunities I would never of had otherwise.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do and thank you for your service to your country.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2016 9:38 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 09:38:05 -0400

SGT Cupping, in 2005 I was in the NG and was looking into becoming a DS. At the time, the USAR was the only component (besides the RA) that have DS positions. I therefore had to be discharged from the NG and then re-enlist into the USAR. After re-enlisting into the USAR, the NGB started sending Guardsmen to DSS. My recommendation to you is go to a Reserve recruiter, start a Conditional Release, get the Conditional Release signed by your first O-7 within your chain of command (remember to have the "through date/expiration date" six months out), take it back to the recruiting office to start your packet to be re-enlist ed into the USAR. The USAR (specifically the 108th TNG CMD) has WAY MORE FUNDING to send NCOs to DSS. Hope this helps.