Is it possible to go from E-4 to E-5 and directly go to Drill Sergeant school?

Why don't you try to make it to E4 1st, and very damn seldom do they pick a new kid off the block to be a DI

No offense, but you need to focus on learning your job. Not something that takes years of experience to get to. I understand, I was a team leader as an E-3 because they fired our E-5. (He was a transfer to the 82nd and couldn’t cut it.) Know your job. Know your bosses job. Know your bosses bosses job. Everything will fall into place. As the saying goes, focus on the 50m target, not the 300m or 500m Target.

The are usually SSG and SFC in my experience. All my friends who were called to drill were all E6 (3)

No. You have to request drill orders, and that takes time because the army has to vet you, and then sometime later you’ll get a school date. Then you have to build a packet and get a mental evaluation, then you go. A brand new sergeant shouldn’t be drill sergeant though in my opinion though. If you end up in AIT, you’re lacking experience that a more experienced NCO would have, if you end up in basic training, same deal. Someone who only has 10 level experience, and is unfamiliar with training/developing others, teaching classes, making packets, chaptering, counseling, planning training, making draws etc. you’d be doing a disservice to the Soldiers you’re training and your peers. Realistically though I guess it’s possible.

In my day, you could volunteer to be a Recruiter or a Drill Sergeant as an E5, but there were certain qualifications you had to meet before being accepted. One was at least one year time in grade, a positive NCOER, a dang near perfect score on your APFT, be in the top 10% of your MOS, and be recommended all the way up the chain by your chain of command. Also, no UCMJ action as well.

Drill Sergeant School is no joke neither. It is much harder than Basic and AIT. Not everyone makes it through Drill Sergeant School. You’ll have to master all tasks, and be able to teach classes very batim out of Army regulations. Drill Sergeants go through very intensified training. It is not uncommon to hear them barking out orders and reciting classes to trees. I went to BNCOC and stayed in the same barracks as the Drill Sergeant Academy at Ft. Knox. I saw first hand how they trained. It’s not for the feint of hearted!!

Good luck, and continue to pursue your goals!!

You THINK you want to bevome a DS as soon as you pin hard stripes. You don't. Trust me. What you saw of your drills during basic was only the tip of the iceberg regarding what they actually did. You want to have time to identify your own personal leadership style, to understand how BN staffs work (things like how S1 works, what they CAN do, and what is out of their hands, just as an example), to understand what motivated different Soldiers, to learn and apply doctrine, to learn and applybregulations, and probably about 100 other things I can't think of right now.

Having a goal is good. Keep dreaming, keep working. But always temper your goals with common sense and objectivity.

Work hard, learn the Army, learn to lead, and consistently dialog with your leaders. Let them know your goals, and ask for their advice on how to get there. When you are ready, they will let you know.

As several have stated, yes, under certain circumstances it is possible. However, I concur with many who have recommended seeking experience. I knew very early on in my career that I wanted to be a DS, but I also knew that I wanted to be the kind of DS that trainees deserved. Seek first to be an expert on your basic soldiering skills, and in your MOS. Examine your motivation, ensure you are in it for the soldier, not for a cool hat or shiny (or subdued) badge. When you put on the hat it amplifies what you already are. If you are a hot shot in it for yourself you will become insufferable. If you are an experienced leader devoted to the welfare of those placed in your care, you will be the example new soldiers need. They will carry that with them throughout their career. I had both as I went through basic, and have worked with both during my career. I do not assert that I am in the second category, but that's where I've set my sights. If it is a long term career goal for you, that is fantastic. Take advantage of the opportunities in front of you now that will prepare you for the long term goal.

I admire your motivation, and I too, have that level of motivation. Send me to DI school today!!