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

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. 

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.

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.

SFC (Join to see), 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?

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, 

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.

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.

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

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.

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.