Posted on May 27, 2021
What kind of motivational methods and discipline techniques are Drill Sergeants using today, other than KP and recommending Article 15s?
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I was a drill sergeant during the heat of the Vietnam war. The draft was in effect and many of the draftees didn’t want to be in the military. In addition some of them with criminal activity were given a choice between going to jail or joining the military either by enlisting or requesting to be drafted. It was not fun maintaining discipline and motivating them to be the soldier they needed to be. Most of my time as drill sergeant there was only one DS per platoon and a field first. How many drill sergeants per company today on the average? I couldn’t find this info browsing the Internet.
My question is, what kind of motivational methods are being used today and what kinds of discipline techniques are used other than KP and recommending article 15?
My question is, what kind of motivational methods are being used today and what kinds of discipline techniques are used other than KP and recommending article 15?
00F: Drill Sergeant
Drill Sergeant
Drill Sergeant School
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 6
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SSG Frank Bova - now, NCO's and DS's use counseling statements to document behaviors and issues that could later lead to ART15's, but in the training environment the idea of a true ART15 is slim to none. They use extra PT, or extra duty such as CQ or extra fire guard shifts. They can use KP, but in most places that is all handled through contract workers now. With today's Army being all volunteer it shortens the list of shitbags that are only there because they have no other options. From what I have seen all Basic training platoons have one senior DS and two others, AIT Platoons will have one Senior DS and other NCO's to support as needed.
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2LT Brian L.
We don't hand out extra fire guard shifts but extra PT always motivates.. and strangely some respond to counseling's also. once they see that all we need is two and a recommendation they tend to realize that we got them... it all depends on the individual or the Platoon/Company culture because strangely each cycle does have its own slightly unique culture.. I've seen trainees devastated when we call them civilians and tell them to address us by our first names because they don't deserve to be called or act like Soldiers... generally your correct and you've seen different things then I currently see on Sand Hill at Benning...
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SSG (Join to see)
2LT Brian L. - This " trainees devastated when we call them civilians and tell them to address us by our first names because they don't deserve to be called or act like Soldiers" - I would have been one of those trainees! That is powerful. But it makes so much sense. I feel that a lot of the trainees think once they get past the "basic" part of OSUT that are ready to go to war and might have a slightly elevated ego, that will certainly bring some perspective. We had the entire platoon doing fireguard shifts every night for the entire cycle... that was the worst! I would love to pick up a DS slot, but my state does not support the program and going active is not an option. Thanks for the comment, DS!
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SSG Frank Bova
Thank you sergeant for the information. I’m amazed how times have changed and it’s nice to see such advancements in the training programs. Good luck to you.
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I had a speach I gave to my platoons on the first day. In that I told them I was not going to stand and yell all the time at them, instead I had (and I then reached for it) the power of the pen (holding my pen so they could see it). I told them with this pen I can affect the rest of your military career. I can write statements which will follow you everywhere you go. I then left a moment of silence to let the point set in. We all know lots of the paper work from basic gets thrown out, but the privates didn't know that. That was followed up with a counseling session with each one of them, and I calmly pointed out this was the paper work I talked about earlier. Yes there were those who needed a "little" more. PT was always good, but you had to find what "hurt" the private. Once I had a private with whom PT could not hurt him. Turns out he had been a life guard and was in super physical form. So you got to get to know them to find out what "hurts" them if you know what I mean.
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I most effective approach is extra duty after supper; BN and CO area cleanup.
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SSG Frank Bova
I recall one trainee that loved policing the area. He would do it whether or not he had to.
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