Should I reclass to a combat MOS before trying to become a DS?

2018-09-29T08:22:51-04:00

For context, I currently repair/maintain medical equipment. One of my top career goals is to serve time as a DS. I had DS' that were not in combat MOS' that were still superb educators and leaders. That being said, do any of you think it's crucial to have some real-life experience applying what is taught in BCT, or am I not missing too much with just studying and applying those skills before/during DSS?

I've asked a different question about becoming a DS before and another SM offered that it's good to have DS' of all MOS' to offer different perspectives. I contemplate that often and completely understand what they mean, but since I already have some time in this MOS, I was wondering if it would be super beneficial to have time in a combat MOS as well or if I should just jump into the process of becoming a DS as soon as I'm able to.

Sorry for typing a novel.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2018 8:31 AM

2018-09-29T08:31:24-04:00

Being a DS is MOS immaterial. Changing your MOS is something you could do for your career, but even if you change MOS, do you feel that with whatever amount of time you'd be in it that it would change your ability to teach/train? I have many battles that are 42 series, 91 series, etc. If you give your all to those trainees then it does not matter what your MOS is. (Sorry for my novel in response :) )

Response by 1SG Frank Boynton made Sep 29 at 2018 8:34 AM

2018-09-29T08:34:34-04:00

Absolutely not. There is no combat are MOS that will prepare you for DS better than any non-combat MOS. During my time on the trail at Ft. Dix there were 10 non-combat MOS Drill Seegeants for every 1 combat MOS. Being combat mOS doesn’t “give you an edge”. I worked with some awesome drills that were signal, medical, supply.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2018 10:47 AM

2018-09-29T10:47:01-04:00

Changing your MOS is a career decision, not one that affects your ability as a DS.

Response by 1SG Timothy Trewin made Sep 29 at 2018 11:20 AM

2018-09-29T11:20:39-04:00

No. The only reclass to a combat MOS is because you want to do that MOS. It is irrelevant to how well you will perform as a DS.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2018 7:58 AM

2018-10-05T07:58:54-04:00

This is probably going to beat the dead horse but you don’t have to re-classify to a combat MOS to be an effective DS. During my time as a DS I worked with many battle buddies who were in the “support” MOS’s. They were just as effective and knowledgeable as those in the combat MOS’s; ( myself included). Re-classifying should be a personal choice for your career; not a choice because of a perceived view on being more effective as a Drill Sergeant. Personally I spent some time on the trail trading Infantry recruits as an Armor DS. While I didn’t have the experience that my Infantry battles did; I was able to offer a perspective unique to the training.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2019 10:32 PM

2019-01-08T22:32:47-05:00

I know this a old post but I will tell you personally No it does not matter. The school house will prepare you and teach you everything you need to know. Most of the time you do not even share your MOS with the trainees right away. So they have nothing to base a opinion on you besides how well you teach them, how approachable you are, and how good of a leader you are. Plus even if that did matter, deployments have slowed down, so what is the point of being a combat MOS if you still haven't deployed as it? Its pointless! If you have deployed though in your current MOS that is a bonus because you could still provide insight in other ways.