What is the Day to Day life of a Reserve Drill Sergeant?

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 14:49:37 -0400

Im about to start ACAP and just found that there are Reserve Drill Sergeants and that just made my day. I personally dont care for my MOS, I love to be a leader and teach others that has been my passion all my career. I would like to know from someone who has done this or knows facts of the process in which i can prepare for.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2015 2:53 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 14:53:22 -0400

I believe reserve drill sergeants come on orders, either ADOS, or Mobilization Orders. Or it is an AGR position.

Once on orders, their job is exactly the same.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2015 2:53 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 14:53:43 -0400

Hardly any different than that of his or her active duty counterpart. I've witnessed first hand Reserve DIs in the Army and Coast Guard, and the daily responsibilities and job requirements are virtually identical. I suspect the only difference might be the variance in length of time for Active Duty Boot Camp versus a shorter version for recruit Reservists. But, by all accounts, there is very little difference there, as well.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2015 3:06 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 15:06:24 -0400

The day to day is the same as that of a active drill at least I know in Ft. Jackson. It's all long hours and hard work. Late nights and early mornings.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2015 3:15 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 15:15:39 -0400

We do the usual 2-3 days a month like other reservists. Those days are used to take care of any admin issues or mandatory classes like Sharp or suicide prevention. During the summer we get 2 week orders to go to Benning, Jackson, etc. to prepare make sure you know the DS Creed and the first 3 modules. Also make sure you can score at least 70% in each event on the APFT.

Response by SSG Izzy Abbass made Jul 15 at 2015 3:19 PM

SSG Izzy Abbass — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 15:19:50 -0400

I don't know but I would say the DI on the left isn't wearing his cover in a good way. Brown Round needs to be down closer to the eyebrows.... Again, E-6 humor at it's finest.

Response by SFC Chad Sowash made Jul 15 at 2015 5:18 PM

SFC Chad Sowash — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 17:18:41 -0400

Not to disagree with some of the answers you've received, although I was a Reserve Drill Sergeant for 10+ years and I can say the difference is huge. When you're not deployed, you are in your civilian job and also need to stay very sharp on your day-to-day DS duties, which isn't always that easy even with drill once a month ans a two-week AT here and there. In my experience at Benning when you are on AT they generally send you to an Echo or Foxtrot company and then you could stay or be farmed out to other companies within that battalion or even outside the battalion. You are expected to know exactly where to pick-up even when there are pretty big differences from company to company or battalion. So you NEED to be more nimble and much sharper than your average Drill.

I was also deployed twice to Benning full-time for 2 1/2 years (in total) and mixed in with active component. We were lucky and received the order two months prior so that we could ramp up training and be ready for Joe when we hit the ground. At that point, you can find a groove unlike just getting thrown into the AT "where the HELL am I getting farmed out to" and "what week are we in?" mix.

In doing both full-time and civilian/DS/AT jobs I would say it's much easier being in the active position because you can focus on the job of being a Drill. It also sets you up for big success when you finally get back to the civilian world and only have to perform 2-3 week ATs. That stuff is total cake after you've walked the walk for years not just weeks at a time.

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Jul 15 at 2015 5:48 PM

COL Jon Thompson — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 17:48:00 -0400

I commanded a Reserve BCT Battalion in 2006-2008 and basically had two missions. First was to recruit and train enough drill sergeants and second, support the active Army. The Drill Sergeant candidates when through a training program over their weekend drills and annual training. I did have one drill who went through an active DS school at Fort Benning. I know that has changed. For two summers in a row, we supported the Basic Combat Training Brigade at Fort Benning which ran one of the battalion's Echo Company which conducted one BCT rotation over the summer. For that, the drill sergeants did their two weeks of AT during part of that cycle. I also had two continuity drill sergeants stay down there for the entire summer. They all put in some long hours there but were fully in charge of the training. I know things have changed over the last few years but I would encourage you to look into it. There are units across the U.S. and you can continue to serve the Nation. Good luck.

Response by SFC Stephen Dingle made Jul 15 at 2015 6:06 PM

SFC Stephen Dingle — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 18:06:58 -0400

Being on Active Duty for two + weeks as a Drill is the same as Regular Army (just not 8-10 weeks straight of it). Long days, short nights, CQ duties, mud and grime and run your asses off. I did it for 10 years and loved every minute of it. Regular Army pay while on active status is awesome. Regular Army Drills love us as they finally get a break and we always worked well with them. Somebody has to do it so let it be the best of the best !!

Response by LTC Richard Wasserman made Jul 15 at 2015 11:41 PM

LTC Richard Wasserman — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 23:41:02 -0400

I was a Drill Sgt back in the late 70's-early 80's. Things have changed a bit since then.

Response by SFC Victoria P. made Jul 19 at 2015 2:15 AM

SFC Victoria P. — Sun, 19 Jul 2015 02:15:27 -0400

I'm a DS with the 1-414th Regt, D Co out of Renton, WA. I did a direct transfer from Active Duty with a MSO reduction in my IRR time. I found out where the nearest DS unit was (near where I wanted to relocate to after AD) and interviewed with the POC (often the S-1 b/c they have to start your paperwork to transfer into their unit); then I interviewed with the CDR and 1SG. I came on as a DS Candidate and was given the DS Creed and first three modules. I had to pitch the DS Creed by the end of my first day. Each unit is different. You'll select course dates and go to DS School at Ft. Jackson. Knowing how to run PRT, the DS Creed, first three modules, and cadences will really help you in DSS. The school is long hours and a lot of learning regs and memorization.

As a Reservist DS you will attend BA (Battle Assembly or "Drill") one weekend a month. Our unit also does two FTXs a year (four days long). In the Spring/Summer you will select an AT to attend for a little over two weeks; where you will work alongside your Active counterparts at a Basic Training Unit. It is exhausting but rewarding. There are also 6-12 mo opportunities that you can volunteer for to go down on the Trail; as well as extensions to your current AT, if offered.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 9 at 2015 7:01 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 19:01:51 -0400

Look into ROTC as well.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 1 at 2016 9:13 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 Jan 2016 21:13:26 -0500

In my battalion during our monthly battle assemblies (2-3 days) we run ranges for other units, APFT's for other units, assist Best Warrior Competitions, and then the normal MANDATORY training. The AT (normally 17 days) we would go to Fort Leonard Wood and got to strictly BCT land or recently we have gone to Engineer OSUT and pick up where ever they are and assist with the everyday training. A reserve DS for lack of better words can make the training what ever he/she wants. If you are highly motivated the active Drills will give you the reigns and mentor you. IF, you are a lazy soup sandwich then you could try and find shadows to hide in and then pop smoke at first sound of "CQ in effect". Either way BEST move I ever made was go DS. Good Luck

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2018 6:46 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Apr 2018 18:46:01 -0400

If anyone wants to know about Drill Sergeant unit, there is many Drill Sergeant units, I belong to the 2-330th out of Machesney Park, IL if anyone is interested please contact Mr. Joseph Wilson at [login to see] or his email address is [login to see] ; CPT Calhoun is the commander of A CO 2-330th her email address is [login to see] ; Mr. Joseph Wilson is the Senior Drill Sergeant and Unit Administrator for the unit.
We also have D CO 2-330th which is moving to Ft McCoy, WI Oct 1, 2018. We are looking for qualified E-5 thru E7 who can passes their height and weight and can score 270 or better on their APFT. You cannot have any unfavorable action against you, no law violations etc. They do a background check and if they find anything to where you had any issues with law enforcement it can go against you. Drill Sergeant School is 9 weeks long and it is like going back to basic training but you learn how to give the blocks of instruction to the trainees. It is a rewarding duty, many people look up to you once you have completed Drill Sergeant School and was on the trail for 2 weeks.
While in a Drill Sergeant status you will receive Special Duty Pay of 300.00 for the first year, After on the trail for a year the Drill Sergeants will receive SDAP Level 5 pay which is an extra 375.00 when in a Drill Sergeant status. many opportunities for being placed on Active Duty if interested please contact Mr. Wilson or CPT Calhoun for more details
1SG Mary Tysdal