Posted on Sep 19, 2018
What is the likelihood of an SF soldier being able to become a Drill Sergeant?
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I aspire to someday earn both the Green Beret and the Drill Sergeant's Campaign Hat. I specifically want to go down the SF route first so I have plenty of experience, both in what I am teaching and in the nature of teaching itself. My question, more specifically, is: would SF duties always take more priority over DS duties? I've asked an SOF recruiter and was essentially told "needs of the Army," which makes sense, but do any of you have personal experience with this? Thanks for any help.
Drill Sergeant Candidate
Drill Sergeant
Special Forces
Career Advice
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 55
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SPC Elijah Zaporteza, I understand the logic behind Special Forces experience or background enhancing the ability to become a great drill sergeant. In practice however, I would like to provide you with some perspective -
The Special Forces Career track CMF18- involves assessment and selection for Special Forces duty and depending on which CMF18 MOS the completion of the SF pipeline. Which could take between 24-36 months depending on language and other required schools. Once you pass all these gates then you are assigned to and SF Group an put on an Operational Detachment for a number of years. Where there is more schooling and numerous deployments. Throughout this time expect to get promoted, remember the lowest ranking individual on and SF ODA is SSG/E6.
If after all that you decide that you still wish to become a Drill Sergeant and leave Group, here is what you will be giving up -
1. Jump Pay - $150 per month
2. Demo Pay - $225 per month
3. Special Duty Pay - $450 per month
4. Language Pay - $100-400 per month
5. Halo Pay - $250 per month
6. Dive Pay - $250 per month
You would potentially take $1500 cut in pay, in addition your security clearance would be down graded from a Top Secret to a secret. Since, Drill Sergeant Duty does not require a Top Secret Clearance.
Just food for through!
The Special Forces Career track CMF18- involves assessment and selection for Special Forces duty and depending on which CMF18 MOS the completion of the SF pipeline. Which could take between 24-36 months depending on language and other required schools. Once you pass all these gates then you are assigned to and SF Group an put on an Operational Detachment for a number of years. Where there is more schooling and numerous deployments. Throughout this time expect to get promoted, remember the lowest ranking individual on and SF ODA is SSG/E6.
If after all that you decide that you still wish to become a Drill Sergeant and leave Group, here is what you will be giving up -
1. Jump Pay - $150 per month
2. Demo Pay - $225 per month
3. Special Duty Pay - $450 per month
4. Language Pay - $100-400 per month
5. Halo Pay - $250 per month
6. Dive Pay - $250 per month
You would potentially take $1500 cut in pay, in addition your security clearance would be down graded from a Top Secret to a secret. Since, Drill Sergeant Duty does not require a Top Secret Clearance.
Just food for through!
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CPL Ruby Merriweather- Garnett
SGT (Join to see) Hello, have you ever considered calling on GOD to Enable you, Help you, Sustain you, Strengthen you, Heal you, Carry you, Equip you to not only to do what is necessary, but to go above and beyond to a greater degree. Would you consider speaking with a Chaplain about SPIRITUAL STRENGTH from a SOURCE that is GREATER THAN SELF. ~~Ask the Chaplain to explain to you about the SPIRIT (HEART) of a Man.~ Once you are in Proper alignment with GOD, You will grow to believe that YOU CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHS YOU! ~ May GOD take you Higher and keep you safe!
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SFC John Braeckman
1972 Basic Training, Fort Polk, LA. BCT Company Commander was a Green Beret. Had problems with his feet and was no longer on Jump status, but still wore the Beret
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SFC (Join to see)
If an SF NCO became a Drill Instructor I would run for the hills!!!!! Image basic all over but this time some gung ho SF as you DS. SCARY
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SFC (Join to see)
Back when I went to Basic (98) and worked in a BCT/OSUT Bn (99-02), there were a few Green Berets on the trail. That was about 3. After 9/11, the OPTEMPO for SOF increased so I think they probably removed CMF 18 from possible 'involuntary' DS assignment. I also think during that time, if they were SOF, they weren't volunteering either. Like SGM Tarancon pointed out, you'd be losing all that incentive pay if you came off a team and went to TRADOC.
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I know SF guys that are former Drill Sergeants. While we have the 18X program, we will continue to provide SF Drill Sergeants to Fort Benning. This is only because they train our SF babies. Once the program goes away, we will no longer have the requirement. This however is not likely anytime soon.
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I was a BAR instructor for a basic Inf Company, and then a few years later, a company commander for one. But that's as close as I got to being a Drill Sgt. As for being a Green Beret. I earned one, and served in Special Forces as both enlisted and an officer, for about eighteen years, So I have some experience in that area. I've also been to Ranger and Recondo school, but Special Forces training remains some of the hardest in the world. Bare in mind that only a small percentage of participants ever graduate. That should be your first objective, and believe me, that will require your 100% participation and effort, or you are doomed for failure from the beginning. I find that being a Green Beret soldier closer to a calling, than just wanting to wear the chic little green hat. Those who go into it with less than that attitude, rarely make it through - especially if it's only to "check the boxes" and obtain a couple of hats. But, that aside, if you do make it through selection, and actually get into the training and become one of the most specialized warriors in the world, why would you want to trade that for a Drill Sgt's hat?
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SGT (Join to see)
The whole “earning hats” thing was just a weird figure of speech I probably could have ommitted. In a more literal sense, I meant that I have the desire to fulfill both of those roles. Not that I put my desire to fulfill either one role over the other, but I want to be a Drill Sergeant because I want to be part of the team that ensures the Army receives quality soldiers.
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LTC Ray Morris
Well said. I probably misunderstood. I do that a lot. Good luck on your endeavors and I hope you get both!
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