Is S-DMG (Signal Digital Master Gunner) too new or merely an underused school resource?

SGT Nia Chiaraluce — Wed, 20 May 2015 08:47:43 -0400

I have been aware of the DMGC for about three years now, however; my unit is not actively enrolling soldiers or promoting it. I have taken the time to seek out the information regarding it myself and see it as a huge asset to have on any Signal team. How are other leaders promoting this school or is this your first time hearing about it?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2015 9:06 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 May 2015 09:06:07 -0400

Its a little of both. Units don't understand the value of it, if they know of it at all. And money isn't being budgeted as a result. What it needs more than anything else is promotion of the benefits to the units to have people with this qualification.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2015 9:08 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 May 2015 09:08:07 -0400

This is the first time I have heard of commands not supporting the DMG course. When I attended it was because it was a requirement that our BDE have a DMG qualified Soldier. When I returned I sent two more NCOs because of the valuable knowledge gained.

If you are still having a hard time getting them to let you attend, explain to them it is a free school. Meaning the only thing they have to cover is transportation. Good luck hope it works out.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2015 9:11 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 May 2015 09:11:43 -0400

Is it me but I can't get past the title. Don't you have to have a gun to be a gunner? I know we are all supposed to be warriors here but this doesn't see to be in the same category as any other master gunners.

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2015 10:49 AM

SrA Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 May 2015 10:49:44 -0400

With the ever growing dependance on LAN in our world today, having a soldier or 10 in a brigade that has full understandings of the ins and outs of LAN support and how to set it up fully as well as secure it is a major asset. I would go with what 1SG Private RallyPoint Member Brought up. Find the benefits of the course and how to present it as a positive to your command. It is kind of like alot of the other courses that are out there. They are great to have a few people trained in but the CoC has alot on their plate and may not see everything.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2015 10:58 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 May 2015 10:58:30 -0400

Signal Soldiers, have never been thought of, as anything but useless geeks in the Military, as well as their equipment. The only time most Commanders think about Commo and any issues is, downrange when something goes wrong and they can't talk. I know that as a Commo personnel and the only one in company, I would stress the importance of commo PMCSing our equipment. I wasn't an NCO and my thoughts and all fell on deaf ears. So yes, I can see how this would work for some of you. I wish the best that you are trying to get some of your signal guys this qualification. I still think about the men and women who still serve in this day and age. Things have really been a struggle with all the cutbacks and drawbacks. It just wasn't anything I wanted to fight anymore to be honest. I retired in January of this year, mostly for my health. Just keep up the good fight as best as y'all can.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2015 11:50 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 May 2015 11:50:14 -0400

This school is a underused school. Here at fort Polk, we have a Warrior signal university here that offers this course. It's something that we as signal need to express to our command that this is something that will help and benefit the army.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2015 1:17 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 May 2015 13:17:38 -0400

Honestly, I have never heard of this school. I am attached to a Chemical Company and they have no clue what schools I need or what to do with me in all seriousness. Thanks for this I'm definitely putting this out there.

Response by SFC Steven Harvey made May 20 at 2015 6:44 PM

SFC Steven Harvey — Wed, 20 May 2015 18:44:55 -0400

S-DMG is a gigantic asset to any units S6. It's not something that is generally used at the company level though the lessons learned can be used.

The S-DMG is the guy who the BDE CDR sends to fix pretty much anything in the network generally used while deployed.

They are designed (trained) to alleviate the need for CECOM Contractors and more importantly they are the guys who will take the stress off the NETTECH.

If you want to get your command to send you TDY it'll be a hard sell especially if you are going to the CBT course at Gordon which is not ideal.

CECOM has a mobile travel team that will work with your posts signal school house. If suggest that over CBT since you'll be hands on and actually have to build the entire network from scratch.

They focus heavily on pretty much everything and it's not a course for someone who is new to Signal.

Usually they are looking for SSGs or above who work in a BDE S6 or G6. They are the ones who monitor and build the network so to speak and that's where the NETTECH is.

It's usually for 25Us since they are the jack of all trades and master of none but any MOS can go so long as you do well on the pre-test.

I'm a 25N and just went to the CECOM course a few months ago. It was by far the best signal course I've ever been in.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2015 7:58 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 May 2015 19:58:11 -0400

I was recently told that I have to attend this course

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2015 9:19 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 May 2015 09:19:14 -0400

I went trough this course the first year it was offered and it was a great learning experience. I would recommend it!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 19 at 2015 1:17 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Jul 2015 13:17:54 -0400

It is a great course for Soldiers in the BCT footprint. If you did not grow up in the conventional signal environment it will teach you a lot and push your abilities. The MTT's that come to post vary due to that post's constraints. I would push to go to the Gordon class because the lab is top notch. my NCOIC and I both grads but he got the better course because he went to Gordon.

Response by CPT Brett Patron made Oct 11 at 2015 10:11 PM

CPT Brett Patron — Sun, 11 Oct 2015 22:11:33 -0400

Way under used. Im not surprised. I'll stop there.

I used the "master gunner" term in my Signal Unit long before it was a formal course. My Master Gunners were my senior NCOs, who i expected to have beyond expert knowledge on our systems. (and they did!).

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2016 10:26 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Aug 2016 22:26:38 -0400

Well this is the first I've heard of it. There's so much it there that just isn't being promoted.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2017 12:17 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 May 2017 12:17:33 -0400

Just got asked about this course. Anyone have any thoughts or information they could share on it?