What is a Reserve Drill SGT unit/detachment like?

2020-11-26T11:00:26-05:00

Looking at the possibility of needing Command time while actually a CPT.

Stumbled upon Branch Immaterial vacancies in Drill SGT Detachments for commander slots. I am attracted to the small unit size 40sih PAX, minimal equipment (basically weapons, laptops, and gas masks) . Then it looks like the only non Drill billets are the Commander, XO, Supply, and Training SGTs.

What's not to like. That's what I want to know.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2020 11:23 AM

2020-11-26T11:23:49-05:00

As a former reserve DS, not as a commander, I’d say PLEASE keep your drills and candidates engaged in meaningful training and focus on updating knowledge of IMT standards and procedures.

Additionally, encourage constant leader development. I spent 18 months in a unit where leaders couldn’t get soldiers to school, didn’t know when promotion boards were, and only required candidates to train. The X-qualified drills only ate, drank (off duty), and treated new candidates as privates.

And of course, when that wasn’t the focus, online 350-1 training.

I have a product that I don’t mind sharing with you or any DS Unit commander / NCO that I made when I became my company’s DS prep mentor. It lays out candidate recruitment, training, and requirements to process through school. It’s a bit outdated because I ended up working at the DS Academy four years ago, but a little time will bring it back to life.

Response by LTC Eugene Chu made Nov 26 at 2020 12:36 PM

2020-11-26T12:36:12-05:00

I was a Reserve company commander of a drilling basic training unit way back in 2009-2010...

The unit is relatively minimized with little equipment and few personnel. The primary focuses are recruiting new NCOs to join unit while becoming new drill sergeants and mobilizing to perform active duty tours as basic training cadre. While drilling as a TPU, life is relatively simple with battle assembly and recruiting efforts. When mobilized on active duty, it is long hours with lots of property and new recruits under your command. Potential issue of office politics during mobilization may be present since your unit is a Reserve minority alongside regular Army cadre and active duty rating chain.

Response by CSM Eric Biggs made Nov 27 at 2020 7:02 AM

2020-11-27T07:02:10-05:00

CPT Private RallyPoint Member, as a former Army Reserve DS from 2005-2012, and DS unit 1SG from 2015-2018, here is what I can tell you.
The unit inventory will consist of two rifle racks and 2-4 M9’s, 30 or less Pro Masks, and a handful of laptops. You are exactly right about the non DS billets. If you are lucky, your 1SG will be DS qualified. If not here is my suggestion. Those not DS Qualified stay out of the way, let the Senior Drill Sergeant run the Drill Sergeant Candidate program, and recruiting of new NCO’s who want to become Drill Sergeants. Look for training opportunities to keep them engaged. If a DS or DS Candidate is not cutting it, or not meeting the expectations of being the top 10%, send them packing. You should be able to involuntarily put them in the IRR after 30 days if the don’t find a new unit. You, and the XO are there because all units need officers, but the NCO’s should run everything perfectly without you. Not to be mean, but you are there to sign paperwork. This should be the easiest job you ever have in the Army. If it’s not someone is screwing up bad and you need to find them and get rid of them.
Your bread and butter is getting your DS’s running training for other units in the AO. As long as you have 1-2 DS’s available to run your candidate program on your BA, the rest should be drilling whenever the customer units are drilling.