Is being asked to be the Division CSM's Driver good or bad?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 16:30:01 -0400

So today the Division CSM asked for Staff Sergeant to become his new driver. Well my name got thrown under the bus and I had to give the Division CSM my info. So would this be a good move or a bad move?

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Apr 15 at 2014 4:35 PM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 16:35:13 -0400

Are you branch certified in your current position, ie squad leader etc. Can be a goo thing if you get along with him, can open some doors and assist with your career, usually don't see a SSG doing it, normally a SGT..I drove for the Div Chief of Staff as a young SGT, got to learn a different aspect of the Army for a year or so.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 15 at 2014 4:42 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 16:42:12 -0400

Personally, I would decline because I have a technical MOS. However, depending on the scope of your duties as driver then maybe it can be beneficial, also you get to network with the BIG BOYS.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 15 at 2014 4:42 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 16:42:20 -0400

I really dont think I'll be select because I have an SLC date and will be PCSing to Germany at the end of the year. If by some chance he does even talk to me in a interview forum I'll let him know those two items right their, plus the fact I'm looking for career progression and more challenging positions.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 15 at 2014 4:57 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 16:57:31 -0400

Close contact with higher echelons of the army can be a great carrer broadener, Taking a quick look at your career so far, I would say you are hitting that stage. you have already done BN motor-pool SGT time, received some leadership experience and I am sure honed your technical craft. If I were the CSM I would want you as my driver, My vehicle would never break! Getting personal mentor time with a soldier as accomplished as a div CSM is a opportunity few get to have. I would be flattered.

Plus I could not think of a better NCOER bullet than " Selected over all the other SSG in div to be Div CSM driver"

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made Apr 15 at 2014 5:01 PM

SGT Bryon Sergent — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 17:01:17 -0400

<p>WEll someone has to do it. Someone thought that you are squared away enough to do this job and put your name in the hat! Definiately will be around the people that make things happen. this could be one of those once in a life time ops. Could be that with all the elbows that are around and the functions that have to be gone to and the future of the well being of your family after the army might take a turn for the plus with the connections you could make.</p><p> </p><p>I'd say go for it. Definiately mention to the wife and get her take on it, going to be some long hours and dress bought and dress mess and yeah could be great! good luck.</p><p> </p>

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 15 at 2014 6:23 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 18:23:35 -0400

If I were an 88m, sure, otherwise I see no real benefits other than the networking aspect of it.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Apr 15 at 2014 6:33 PM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 18:33:23 -0400

Meh, to each his or her own I guess..I had the honor of driving for the 4th ID Chief of Staff '90-'91 as a young SGT, didn't hurt my career one bit, and I considered it an honor to have been chosen by my BN and BDE to go interview for the position and a real honor to have been selected. I was a leader and had Soldiers that I was in charge of and trained, I viewed this as an opportunity to improve myself and get another view of how the Army operated as I knew I would be staying in and would possibly see the staff side of things again in my career. After this one year, I PCSd to Germany and back to a leadership role and was none the worse for it. SSG B in your case I would agree with your decision not to interview, politely ask that your name not be put forward as you are ramping up for your SLC and that is definitely more important. Good luck to you in SLC and best of luck with your career.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2014 12:13 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 12:13:24 -0400

This is a great opportunity. First, the DIV CSM would not want a slacker from a BN. Secondly, in order to hold that position you MUST be squared away and...the job entails more than just driving. You'll be maintaining portions if the calendar, conduct admin assistance where necessary and planning for missions directly in support of the CSMs goals. If you succeed...IF you are a value added asset to his team, you will be looked after and quite possibly get any future assignment you want. Look at it as an honor that you were chosen. I would do it in a heartbeat if I were enlisted. It is definitely not a negative tasking or assignment.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Apr 17 at 2014 4:19 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 16:19:20 -0400

Well, this is time where you will have no Soldiers, no leadership time, no MOS time, no special duty assignment, and nothing to populate your NCOER other than "he dun drove good". Does that really sounds like a great move?

Response by Cpl Glynis Sakowicz made Apr 18 at 2014 2:27 PM

Cpl Glynis Sakowicz — Fri, 18 Apr 2014 14:27:16 -0400

Actually, its a pretty good move, as long as you remind yourself, that going to work means that you'll be under close inspection all day long.<div>I was the driver for visiting VIP's for a good while, and I found that it wasn't an easy thing, but it was interesting.  I drove for visiting Russians, the Chaplin of the Corps, the General several times, and all sorts of visitors which kept the job interesting, and I learned all sorts of things about people.   </div><div>Also, most personal drivers make rank pretty quickly... just saying.</div><div><br></div>

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Apr 1 at 2015 8:28 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 20:28:13 -0400

SSG Dean Butcher, It all depends on the General and his CSM being nice guys and respectful of you. It is a prestious position with a lot of exposure for you. Just as in politics, a driver should be on a term of service. That way you won't get burned out or lose other skills.

The CG I worked for was cool with his driver and myself.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Apr 1 at 2015 8:30 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 20:30:05 -0400

Not as bad as being "voluntold" to be the Adjutant General's driver.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Apr 1 at 2015 9:26 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 21:26:49 -0400

Do it. Standout with your career as a SSG. DA sees too many SL's and PSG's and that will bring you into a world that you won't be normally exposed to until you are at least a 1SG. I'd jump on it.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 4 at 2015 9:24 AM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 04 Apr 2015 09:24:40 -0400

I was a senior mechanic just as you are when I won the NCO of the Year competition for JRTC and Ft. Polk FY 09. I was told I would go to be the JRTC CSM driver to facilitate my going to Airborne and Air Assault School. It is a great move because:
1. You do get a good look at how things work many echelons above you.
2. You NETWORK.
3. There are schooling opportunities both civilian and military.
4. It gives you a chance to get into the shape that you want to get in to, not running Soldiers through PRT everyday.
It is detrimental because:
1. You're working outside of your MOS, and if you ever wanted to drop a warrant packet, they see that as useless time. Same thing with the SFC selection board, it holds no value (unless of course that CSM is the president of the board it may help a little).
2. You get used to things being squared away to the MAX at the head shed and when you get back to reality, its frustrating because nothing goes right.
3. You can get lazy really fast and you may miss a deployment opportunity.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Apr 26 at 2015 12:40 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Sun, 26 Apr 2015 00:40:55 -0400

I can't be the only one who thinks NCO's should NEVER be relegated to Driver duty... That's time where you're out of your MOS, not leading troops, not doing a Special Duty Assignment, or really doing ANYTHING that improves you as a Soldier...

My opinion, drivers should be 88M's, E-3 and below...

Response by CPT Bruce Rodgers made Apr 26 at 2015 12:53 AM

CPT Bruce Rodgers — Sun, 26 Apr 2015 00:53:21 -0400

Great opportunity, when I was a SSG I drove for a CSM and the mentorship he gave me is something I carry with me today

Response by SPC Michael Frugoli made Apr 26 at 2015 1:00 AM

SPC Michael Frugoli — Sun, 26 Apr 2015 01:00:13 -0400

When i arrived in Ft Drum after Iraq. the Battalion CSM had served with the CAV at one time and liked that i had also. I will agree it was a nice opportunity. Although with my peers, i was not looked at highly. I did admin assistance, Driving and a few other things i cant quite remember.

My biggest issue, maybe it was just self-esteem. i felt i was treated differently. Im not sure if the Job is different with the Div. CSM

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Apr 29 at 2015 4:33 PM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 16:33:56 -0400

Besides it being an honor to be asked, as the CSM would never pick anyone who was not absolutely top notch, it gives the person a unique insight into how senior NCOs function that will serve him/her in the future.

Having served as an aide to General Officer, I learned so much that I never would have had the opportunity to learn otherwise and I have heard the same from many other officers who served as an aide. I believe the same would be true for a "command driver".

The aide/driver may also find that they do not want to achieve that rank/position from what they learn from that position. I have had more than one general's aide tell me that, as a result of their experience and knowledge at what their principal had to do, they never wanted to be a general.

Bottom line is that it is an honor to be asked and it can be a great assignment. My recommendation would be to accept the position, if offered, and learn from it.

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Apr 29 at 2015 4:52 PM

CPT Zachary Brooks — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 16:52:31 -0400

This is a great opportunity, but only if you look at it the right way. You get to see how those above you operate and this allows you opportunities to learn to develop and grow. If you look at this as a getting thrown under the bus you will likely learn little and not see this opportunity for what it really is.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 29 at 2015 5:08 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 17:08:09 -0400

I was asked to be a division commanders aide. I told him sir, I don't want this job.

Response by SSG Robert Webster made May 7 at 2015 8:44 AM

SSG Robert Webster — Thu, 07 May 2015 08:44:05 -0400

If I had read this post a year ago, I would have made the comments below.

As a SSG (E-6), if you have to ask this question - It would be a bad choice.
You should think and check on the following items:
1. Is this a valid MTOE or equivalent position?
2. Is this an E-6 position?
a. I seriously doubt if this is the case, unless something has changed drastically since I retired 20 years ago.
3. How is this going to enhance/enable your career?
4. Find yourself a mentor. FAST
5. You need to learn what positions are coded for your MOS and Pay grades within your MOS. This will help you and your soldiers.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 8 at 2015 8:02 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Aug 2015 20:02:17 -0400

Its all about connections brother.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2017 12:59 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Apr 2017 12:59:17 -0400

Had a similar position as the Brigade CSM driver. Little skeptical but then I think about it this way. I'm pretty squared away, and good at my job. So if you have the right attitude, definitely take it for what it is and do your best. Put on your best face and work hard, and let the system work for you. You'll have days when you may get chewed out for something, but just keep working hard. Effort trumps activity, so if you give your all, you won't regret anything and they will notice that. Perfect the basics (APFT, BRM) and don't think or try too hard either!