Is becoming an AIT Platoon Sergeant a good career progression move?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 23:29:00 -0500

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Jan 9 at 2014 12:01 AM

CW2 Joseph Evans — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 00:01:39 -0500

As long as you don't get accused of having sex with any of the trainees...
Fastest way to make SSG? Arrive in TRADOC a SFC.

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Jan 9 at 2014 12:06 AM

1SG Steven Stankovich — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 00:06:43 -0500

It absolutely is.  AIT PSG is one of those nominative type, hard assignments, that Boards at favorably.  AIT PSG is very challenging and will really broaden your leadership styles, organizational skills, and strengthen many other character traits.  And it you are not already MRT qualified, you will we sent to the course. 

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2014 9:55 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 21:55:39 -0500

Any job you step outside of your MOS and perform with outstanding results will be viewed favorably during promotion times. The Army leadership wants to know they have a leader that can step out of their comfort and knowledge zone and still be an asset to the Army.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2014 12:08 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 00:08:44 -0500

It is a very demanding position but as long as you perform well at it will definitely assist in your promotion to the next grade. I always tell soldiers to strive to show diversity in their career paths, choose the difficult positions and do well at them,

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 4 at 2014 1:01 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 13:01:59 -0400

This is a great question! Especially I have been in a AIT PSG Slot for 3 months. I leave to Ft Jackson tomorrow for PSG School. I have to say that Department of the Army said this duty is like "Taking a Knee". Hell no. I have not worked these type of hours and had so many rules in my life. This is a very stressful job. Honestly though, I love every second of it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 4 at 2014 1:33 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 13:33:25 -0400

I hope so, since that's my current position

Response by SFC Craig Dalen made Apr 4 at 2014 1:53 PM

SFC Craig Dalen — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 13:53:37 -0400

I am under the impression that it is a great step in your career. It is designed for the NCO's who couldn't get Drill Sergeant to still be competitive with their peers. Just remember that TRADOC is a whole different animal...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 4 at 2014 2:52 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 14:52:19 -0400

I would think you would want to consider your personal background before accepting the job. I've got two years PSG time and 2 years OC time, so I would not want that as a job in my career. Your record on here says you were promoted in 09, if thats so then you might want to consider something else to the fact that I'm sure you have PSG time. I've seen too many guys that spend their wheels for too long as a PSG and never get picked up. There are a lot of assignments out there inside you Center of Excellence or in the officer courses. If you have not had instructor/writer time look at that. If so then perhaps a 1SG job is out there you could step into.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2014 3:50 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 15:50:57 -0400

I can tell you this. I arrived a SFC at my assignment but every SSG we had made SFC. Now granted that job is hard. In my company it was supposed to be eight of us but we usually would 6 PSGs and in order for us to get a type of break inbetween classes we would team up in pairs. So it was 100 privates and 2 PSGs lol. When i left that assignment i was so happy to have SGTs and SSGs i didnt know how to act lol.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 30 at 2014 12:43 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Aug 2014 00:43:03 -0400

Yes without a question, there is phenomenal promotion selection rate out of AIT PSG’s. 90% of my SFC and SSG battles in the company got picked up for MSG and SFC while serving as an AIT PSG. You truly earn it though.

AIT PSG was the toughest and at the same time most rewarding job I ever had. I got to go to classes I probably never would have completed such as SHARP/MRT/Master Driver/Unit Armorer Course. You also rack up a huge amount of additional duties.

I also gained a huge amount of experience in taking care of Soldiers and learning about all the admin stuff i would not normally deal with at a SSG level. It was an awesome opportunity to make a difference in young Soldiers lives.

http://www.armytimes.com/article/20140809/CAREERS/308090043/

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Jan 13 at 2015 6:17 AM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Tue, 13 Jan 2015 06:17:59 -0500

SFC Private RallyPoint Member, In mu opinion its a good career progression move, simply helping IET Soldiers and working outside your MOS. Its not the case for all, for it simply comes from the HEART. Follow your heart and do it for the Soldiers, it will pay off. I spent over 25 years and was a Drill Sergeant. I made my E-7, but that was it. I was a 1/1 Soldier holding E-8 positions. Its not the case for all, its like lottery. Just keep doing what NCOs do and you will get your due progression in time. Its about TIMING, RIGHT PLACE, AND YOUR CMF. You will have the edge, if you do your part and BELIEVE it or not, TRUST the system. That is the only way! Think about it, what else are you going to do?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2015 6:32 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Jan 2015 06:32:31 -0500

Awesome question Pedro, I have been meaning to ask that same thing. I'll be heading to Jackson for MRT and AIT PSG Course soon.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2015 7:29 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Jan 2015 07:29:59 -0500

why take away the brown and round? AIT PSG is a challenging career progression assignment. why ever take away the Drill Sergeant from these positions? a way to save a few bucks? Soldiers are still considered "IET". These NCOs are asked to do everything Drill Sergeants used to do for these Soldiers. But they do not receive the perks that the Drill Instructors did. the additional pay, the DZ of the uniforms, the issue of the new uniforms so they match the Soldiers, choice of assignment after the tour, etc. my response is that this job is the same as being a Drill Sergeant. You do everything that drill sergeants did and do. your work overtime. i worked as an operations sergeant in an AIT Company. Me and the supply sergeant had to fill in because only 4 drill sergeants were available. we came in at 0430 and left at 2130 after bed checks. while the drill sergeants were getting additional pay to deal with the added duty, we were not. isnt that what is happening to the PSG?

its all too often that the misuse and abuse of the saying "NCOs make it happen" is slung around to make our enlisted members put in long hours to accomplish a mission. if i wanted to improved the fox hole, i wouldnt allow this to keep happening. slowly., we are losing the personnel battles because we do more with less. no one wants to say no, and the few that say no, well they get fired. if leadership truly valued "family time" we wouldnt keep "burning the midnight oil" for simple things, and we wouldnt be letting go of drill sergeant advantages to NCOs that are now forced to do these tough jobs.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2015 3:15 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 03:15:20 -0500

I just left TRADOC as an Instructor and AIT Platoon Sergeant is definitely a good move for an NCO trying to separate themselves from the pack SFC Private RallyPoint Member

It is also a great opportunity to get their Leadership schools completed as well as some other great resume' building courses.

I will say that although I was not an AIT Platoon Sergeant I saw them at work and it was a difficult position for sure. It might be the toughest 36+Months of their ARMY Career but it can be very rewarding as well.

I hope this helps.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 9 at 2015 1:00 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 13:00:29 -0400

Can I piggyback off your question. Do we (upcoming AIT PLT SGTs) get assigned to where we went to AIT or can we be slotted anywhere (any AIT school, not MOS specific)?

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2015 10:12 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 22:12:25 -0400

I'll explain how duty positions work. So DA says we need people to fill a job, they send out that request to the force. The standard is to send your best and they do for the first round....and then CSMs catch on that it is a quick way to ditch under performing NCOs. Then what used to be a good job gets briefed to the Senior NCO boards that anyone who gets sent there got sent away for a reason.

Being an AIT PSG depends on your MOS. If you are in a low density MOS, it is awesome. If your MOS is technical it is awesome. If your MOS is Combat Arms, there is scrutiny...like if you are an 11B and you were light side, why are you an AIT PSG and not an RI.....

As an artilleryman, even though it is Combat Arms, it is a technical MOS. The best in your MOS are the guys who know the gun in and out and know all the procedures.

That said, most AIT PSG positions are good. If you are E-7 and below. E-8 and above, if you get TRADOC over a command position usually means you deserve to be promoted and lead...but you'll never get your own battalion.

Response by SFC Steven Steingiesser made Sep 20 at 2015 1:26 PM

SFC Steven Steingiesser — Sun, 20 Sep 2015 13:26:32 -0400

AITPSG is great for career progression, however don't expect your time to be easy. There are many leadership challenges that reside while working within the guidance given by TRADOC. It is also extremely different than leading Soldiers out on line. At no time did my Platoon numbers fall below 125 Soldiers and it got as high as 320. You will have just for fellow AITPSGs to count on, while some help from often overworked AIT Instructors who are assisting as "Squad Leaders". I know while I was working that position, almost every Company in my Battalion was short on AITPSGs, which meant many additional hours as the mission still has to happen. However, as many others have said, the Boards look at those who have done this highly. I believe every SSG I worked as an AITPSG with got picked up for SFC while there. Many of the SFCs got picked up for MSG.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2015 8:14 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 26 Sep 2015 20:14:54 -0400

From my prior observation at JBLE, being a successful AIT Platoon Sergeant will reap its benefits.

Response by SFC Dave Hopkins Jr. made Dec 3 at 2015 10:24 PM

SFC Dave Hopkins Jr. — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 22:24:31 -0500

YES!!!! Any Plat Daddy time is great and it is challenging