What are some ways of getting out of being a DA-select DS?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Feb 2018 20:34:17 -0500

DS school is a set up. U either pass, restart until u pass or fail and get a negative 1059, which pretty much ruins ur career. So I passed & now on my 2nd cycle, but I can’t do this. I been in the army 13yrs. Had severe alopecia from stress & I have public speaking anxiety. I do my BEST every damn day, but I guess it’s not enough. What are some ways of getting out? If there are any.

Response by SGT Christopher Hayden made Feb 24 at 2018 8:38 PM

SGT Christopher Hayden — Sat, 24 Feb 2018 20:38:00 -0500

I don't really have any advice about what you can do, but I hope you're able to find some way to move back into something you're more comfortable with. It's not a fun feeling when you're stressed out 24/7 due to the Army. Good luck.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2018 11:07 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Feb 2018 23:07:06 -0500

Go to behaver health you are talking like you may have an issue they can help you with.

Response by CW3 Jeff Held made Feb 24 at 2018 11:48 PM

CW3 Jeff Held — Sat, 24 Feb 2018 23:48:02 -0500

Here’s some tough love; suck it up. You can take and you will take it. Forget everything else and focus on producing world-class Troops. You will learn from this experience and become a much better leader from it.

Lead from the front.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Feb 25 at 2018 12:47 AM

LTC Stephen C. — Sun, 25 Feb 2018 00:47:10 -0500

SSG Private RallyPoint Member, I would say, take heart and embrace the assignment and simply be yourself (the drill sergeant that you are now). Satisfactory results can be obtained without yelling and screaming every second of the day.
My drill sergeant [of 1st platoon of D-3-1, Fort Jackson (Tank Hill)] was SFC Richard DesLauriers. He was a kind and comparatively quiet man, and atypical of many, if not most, BCT drill sergeants. He was in the business of mentoring before the Army formalized the process and was worthy of emulation. However, if he needed to drop the hammer, he could. Most times, it was unnecessary. He was quite simply one of the most extraordinary non-commissioned officers I ever encountered, and his style had a profound impact on my life generally and my Army career specifically. This was in 1969!
You may never know the impact that your “style” has on trainees. I can assure you that if you’re doing your job properly, yelling and screaming at everyone all the time is not necessary.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Feb 25 at 2018 11:46 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sun, 25 Feb 2018 11:46:32 -0500

I'm afraid since it was DA select you re stuck into your tour is up. Drive on the best you can- my Basic and AIT DS were seldom yellers unless we maxed the crap fan. Imagine you are not speaking to the public but just reciting the training manual. Talk to the other DS, and see if you can get some help/advice

Response by SP5 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2018 7:01 PM

SP5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 25 Feb 2018 19:01:53 -0500

SSG Private RallyPoint Member Sergeant – this response not to address your post. It is to provide a lifetime overdue and sincere THANK YOU for what you do to provide the Army its soldiers. You don't yell, and neither did SFC “Raggedy Ass” Remick at his platoon of Raggedy Assed recruits in the summer of 1959 at D-3-1 on Fort Ord. He, of all the cadre in that company is the one I remember. You will be remembered long after you have gone to other assignments,too.

Your job is one of the toughest, and I believe most important, in the Army – you get a bus load of young bodies who only know what they've heard about the Army, and in a short time you send away a bus load of soldiers who have some understanding about the Army. Then, you do it again and again. Salutes to you Sgt Rodriguez and to your family.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2018 7:37 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 25 Feb 2018 19:37:37 -0500

Once you've done about 18 mo for TRADOC you can look into other options. They will keep you for a total of 3 years, they own you for 2. So at the 18 month mark you can set yourself up to leave at/around 2 year mark. Talk with branch manager or ARSOF recruiter.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Mar 4 at 2018 10:12 PM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 22:12:07 -0500

Finish your 24 months honorably....just don't take the third year...then you can "get - out" of doing what was asked of you.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2018 5:19 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 05:19:46 -0500

Currently I am on trail at Fort Jackson, I am not the yelling type but I do when I have too. I am with you I am more of a mentor to the trainees I believe it's all personality driven being on trail I tell myself never change who you are take care the soldiers first. Keep doing what you are doing you are not along.