I'm considering becoming a Drill Sergeant. Do you get to pick between being a Drill Sergeant for Basic Training or Drill Sergeant for AIT?

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 15:41:15 -0400

I want to volunteer not be DA selected.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Oct 24 at 2019 3:52 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 15:52:31 -0400

Nope... If you're in the top 20% of your class, you go to an OSUT. If you are in the bottom 10% of your class, you go to FT Jackson (at least according to my Drill Sergeant friends ;o) )

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2019 4:14 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 16:14:45 -0400

SFC Christopher Adame hey brother can you help this NCO with some guidance?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2019 5:04 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 17:04:40 -0400

MSG Private RallyPoint Member thanks for thinking of me!

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member you may want to reach out to your branch manager and drill sergeant branch, but typically, we don’t pick. You may be able to switch with another candidate as you approach graduation and share the same MOS, report timeframe, gender, and rank.

Response by SSG Brian L. made Oct 24 at 2019 5:32 PM

SSG Brian L. — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 17:32:20 -0400

Depends on what you want out of like and your career...I would say go Drill but its a ball buster. If you can define your goals or expectations maybe I could help you at least from my point of view.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2019 10:50 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Oct 2019 10:50:14 -0400

If you volunteer you can request one the training installations, but that’s it, like if you request the installation where your MOS has AIT you’d be AIT, but if they have your AIT there and BCT, then you could be either. It’s like a 50/50 shot whether you’re a basic training drill or a sidewalk drill. I mean that’s my understanding from people who volunteered, I was DA selected and I’m an OSUT drill.

Response by LTC Ken Connolly made Oct 25 at 2019 1:46 PM

LTC Ken Connolly — Fri, 25 Oct 2019 13:46:07 -0400

You may want to talk to your assignments person.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2019 11:39 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Oct 2019 11:39:57 -0400

When I did both tours as a Drill Sergeant at Ft Benning, it was combined BCT/AIT. We basically had a "Turning Blue" five minute cermony between the two. It was 13 weeks combined during my two times. That was back in the 70's though.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2019 3:27 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Oct 2019 15:27:09 -0400

I am currently a Drill Sergeant and I didn't necessarily get to choose my assignment. When my packet was accepted and I got a school date my branch manager asked if I had a preference on where I would like to go and two weeks later I had projections for one of my choices 3 months before reporting to the academy.

Response by SGT Mark Hasch made Jan 8 at 2020 11:57 AM

SGT Mark Hasch — Wed, 08 Jan 2020 11:57:52 -0500

I apologize for the delay in my response!!! Honestly this question is out of my league, I hope these comments help you!!!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2021 3:16 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 May 2021 15:16:22 -0400

Kind of hard to be a Drill Sergeant when you're a Warrant Officer.