What made your Drill Sergeant awesome?

2015-03-08T11:12:22-04:00

I'm a DS and I see the hunger in a Soldiers eyes to be like his DS. What made your Drill Sergeant separate himself from the others?

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2015 11:23 AM

2015-03-08T11:23:36-04:00

My RDC (Recruit Division Commander) was one of those brutally honest kinds of guys. Told you exactly what you needed to hear, even if it stung or not. He also instilled a great work ethic and drive to constantly do better in the Navy, and in our respective rates (even though he bluntly said he hated mine). We knew that there were good intentions behind it, and I aspired to be like him. Not afraid of being the guy to make the shitty call, because it's what needs to be heard/done. It's carried over with me today, and so far, it's paid off.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2015 4:52 PM

2015-03-10T16:52:36-04:00

Quite frankly, my (S)DS was amazing, simply because he was completely unapproachable. the man was absolutely untouchable. If you so much as looked at him the wrong way, you had a death sentence. He was a true-blue, bad mofo. This guy made me want to be a rock-hard, cold-blooded, hard-hearted Infantryman. He and my second DS were my biggest inspiration. They broke me, and rather than build me back up, they made me build myself back up, ripping me apart all the while. The word "merciless" has NEVER had a more true meaning to me. Hell, I'm still afraid to encounter those guys!

Response by LTC Stephen F. made May 7 at 2015 12:17 PM

2015-05-07T12:17:21-04:00

When I was in basic training in November 1974, my junior platoon Drill Sergeant was named Drill Sergeant Ford. Since my last name was Ford I was informed I was a discredit to the family name, etc. I never did cut-aways [front leaning rest to parade rest on asphalt] for my own misbehavior but for others - AWOLs, etc.
I learned, actually it was reinforcing my own values, to treat each person with respect.
The drill sergeants were consistently tough, one day I was informed that I would be taking an indoor test and not participating in a 10-mile road march in the snow, and that I would not have to make it up. I had done well on my entrance tests and took some tests which if passed would help me go to West Point.
In 1978, as a USMA cadet, I was an acting drill sergeant for a cycle at Fort Dix - I ended up training the platoon by myself for the last half. I wasn't much older than the trainees but I remembered my own Basic/AIT and training at West Point and treated these future soldiers with equal respect as I trained them and. I was thankful that they generally showed respect for me.
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. I just realized that I had responded to this question a year ago before I knew about tagging people. Now I have two responses to this thread.

Response by TSgt Melissa Post made Sep 1 at 2015 1:16 PM

2015-09-01T13:16:55-04:00

I remember the first time we failed really badly. All the other females said "I feel like I let my dad down." I laughed and "psh I don't". Partly because my TI hadn't really showed that he cared about us yet in my eyes. Then one day I got sick. Sick to the point of losing my voice, and not being on point during drills. This finally caught his eye one day when he halted our flight and called me out. "Trainee Chiles", he barked "you are not on your A-game today. Are you sick or something?" "Sir, Trainee Chiles reports as ordered. Yes sir." I squeaked. "Well we are going to the med group anyways right now. You are to stay there until you have been seen and then march back to the dorms." Moved by his compassion I could feel a tear welling up in my eye. He had just scolded our flight for so many of our females being on waivers. I didn't want to be "another waiver trainee" so I had not mentioned getting sick, just tried to tough it out. Unfortunately before I could ask for permission to adjust, the tear dropped below the brim of my cap. "Is that a tear I see?? Wipe that crap off your face!" (Ahh and he was back to himself...) "Yes sir, proceeding sir." From that point on my TI had earned my respect and loyalty. From then on I could see how he defended his tiny flight from other TI's and how he made sure our brother flight looked out for us when we went out to the field. He was a good man that I will always look up to as a great leader. Thank you Sgt Glover.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 2 at 2015 8:01 PM

2015-09-02T20:01:13-04:00

Of the 3 drill sgts I could only understand one.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2015 6:13 PM

2015-09-07T18:13:15-04:00

I had DS Corneal Stewart. Huge impact on me during training. I'd give quite a bit to be able to thank him better. He was the number one motivator out of our DS at BCT. During Combatives, he helped us and showed us an unbelievable amount of techniques. Worked with us 1 on 1 during RM and made sure we were prepared to Qualify.

DS Iekar would take off his campaign hat and tell us to sit down (right after a good smoking) and would just talk to us. He told us "Right now, I'm not a DS, and you guys aren't privates. I'm gonna talk to you just as a normal person for 5 minutes. You guys gotta stop acting like jackasses and get your shit together okay? This shit gets real, real quick." He had a huge impact on me too. Turned me from a huge jerk, to an American Soldier. Thank you to those two DS.
They made me want to become a DS and to make sure I'm just like them. I definitely am going to strive to be better.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2016 11:42 AM

2016-01-04T11:42:29-05:00

My drill sergeant looked EXACTLY like Sgt. Slaughter!!!! He was big dude and rocked his special forces tab. Best teacher of soldier skills that I have ever seen.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2016 12:44 PM

2016-01-05T12:44:45-05:00

My Drill Sergeant would show up every day and turn whatever song he had just heard on the radio and try and turn it in to a cadence. And he was successful at it!

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jan 5 at 2016 6:27 PM

2016-01-05T18:27:15-05:00

SSG Private RallyPoint Member, I may surprise you with this response. I went to BCT from 11NOV69 to 16JAN70. I was assigned to first platoon of D-3-1 at Fort Jackson (Tank Hill), SC.
The drill sergeant of 1st platoon was SFC Richard DesLauriers. He was a kind and comparatively quiet man, atypical of many BCT drill sergeants. Don't get me wrong. If he needed to drop the hammer, he dropped the hammer!
However, he was in the business of mentoring before the Army even formalized the process and was most worthy of emulation. Extraordinary NCO.
I've tried to find him many times through various media to no avail, in order that I might thank the man for being the extraordinary NCO that he was to me and the other basic trainees.

Response by SPC James Anderson made Aug 17 at 2016 7:12 PM

2016-08-17T19:12:38-04:00

Last week of basic I get a HUGE care package from my step mom. Before leaving for basic I remember leaving STRICT instructions about absolutely NO FOOD AT ALL!!!!! So there I was :-), mail call about 4 days left and the DS has this huge crate for me. Of course I get to open it in front of every one. I pull the top apart, sigh, and start doing push ups. DS walks over and starts lecturing me about all the shit food in there, fucking cookies, beef jerky, candy and a huge tub of honey roasted peanuts. Mid way through the lecture the DS spots the honey roasted peanuts and just stops talking picks up the peanuts and tells me I have 10 min to make all this food disappear, then looks at me cracks this huge grin and says "I love honey roasted peanuts" So I gave him the peanuts and the rest of the platoon made that box empty in about 3 min. DS sat in his office for the next hour munching on peanuts and was as happy as he had been in weeks. It was fun to see these serious DS's reduced to a nice guy by the sight of honey roasted peanuts.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2016 7:28 PM

2016-08-17T19:28:30-04:00

SDS Theall, he was a quiet and Professional, but he made it clear he did what he did because he didn't want to see any of us get killed overseas. Once he made it clear that that was why we were doing this I listened to every word he said like it was the Bible

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Aug 19 at 2016 7:56 AM

2016-08-19T07:56:56-04:00

SSG Private RallyPoint Member Well it has been a long time ago since I was in Basic Training 1975 and the one I remember the most was SGT Briggs (Yes just a Buck Sergeant) with a CIB. He was the lowest ranking DI on the post I believe, but he was very good and tough. I had the chance to ask him why he was only a Buck Sergeant after BCT was over and he said that he had punched out an Officer on his last tour in Vietnam and it had followed him to this post (Fort Lost in the Woods, MO) and to this assignment. That's all I can remember, the rest was just a blur at the age of 17 and went very fast over a 13-week period!

This is a great question Lawrence. I hope you don't mind me sharing it with my RP Connections for their input?

Response by LT Michael Watson made Aug 19 at 2016 10:43 AM

2016-08-19T10:43:07-04:00

A long time ago (34 years to be exact) and in a place far away from Colorado (Pensacola FL) as a Naval Aviation Officer Candidate, this screwed up college boy met GySgt Timothy Goforth USMC. All the other DIs had the same steely eyed persona, but Gunny Go took on the role of educator of men that would be his superior upon graduation. Tore us down and then built us up, though some dropped on request (DOR). You got to a point where you were breaking, but he could make you find just that little spark to ignite and move out. Somehow, I got a nickname in OCS from Gunny that stuck with me through my naval career as my call sign, and it is still with me today. I can still field strip an M1 Garand and reassemble it in working order ( maybe even blindfolded), still don't know how to quit, and know the men/women who work with me are all critical to the mission.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Aug 19 at 2016 12:56 PM

2016-08-19T12:56:02-04:00

When I went through 12 BCT and AIT at Fort Leonard Wood beginning in November 1974, I had the misfortune to have the same last name as the junior platoon drill sergeant SSG Private RallyPoint Member. SSG Ford made sure that Private Ford knew I was an insult to the family tree from time to time. All-in-all he was a even-keeled Drill Sergeant who trained us professionally and never called for mass corporal-punishment. In those days cut-aways [front leaning rest to parade rest over asphalt] and dying cockroach were two of the more memorable punishments. I still have scars on my chin from when I hit the asphalt and bounced of my chin. Some unfortunate trainees hit their faces and ended up with bloody noses.
When I was assigned to Fort Dix to serve as drill cadet for a training cycle, I remembered the good I learned from my drill sergeants and the special forces training NCOs who trained us at West Point each summer and treated the trainees fairly but firmly as I instructed them in 1978.
In 1985 and 1986 I commanded an infantry training company at Harmony Church, Fort Benning. I did my best to ensure the drill sergeants were professional and were treated as professionals as we worked to train each cycle with them doing the vast majority of the work.
Thanks for mentioning me COL Mikel J. Burroughs

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Aug 19 at 2016 1:15 PM

2016-08-19T13:15:12-04:00

He was well versed in making you want to learn your skills.

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Aug 19 at 2016 1:22 PM

2016-08-19T13:22:54-04:00

It's been way too long to remember...lol
I went in knowing what to expect because my father explained it to me. With this attitude it was easy for me to get through basic because I understood and respected the roll of the DS. I was in an honor flight...because I explained to all the girls what basic was all about...that the DS were there to help us...to teach us...to guide us and to have respect and HONOR for our country.

Response by SGT Robert George made Aug 19 at 2016 2:53 PM

2016-08-19T14:53:42-04:00

The moment I got off the bus for BCT the DSs were very impressive almost similar to Full metal jacket !!!

Response by SGT Robert George made Aug 20 at 2016 10:35 AM

2016-08-20T10:35:24-04:00

Dang I was at the rite aid picking up prescription for the wife and wearing a cavalry ball cap and turned around to greet a Nam Vet that asked were I took basic and I said Ft. Knox and he said he was a DS at that time .. I wish I got his name because I had a short Black E-5 as a DS ...

Response by SSG Mark Franzen made Aug 20 at 2016 12:21 PM

2016-08-20T12:21:31-04:00

Drill Sargent Davis was someone who taught me discipline and how to become a Soldier and I thought he was one of
Many people that helped me.I also I had drill sargent at FT SiLL OKLAHOMA his name was Sargent pipped I believe that is spelling of it he also was a great mentor.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2016 3:04 AM

2016-08-22T03:04:24-04:00

If he smoked us, he pushed with us... instilled history into us... And then the other one left early to attend ranger school (https://www.army.mil/article/138643/Drill_sergeant_graduates_Ranger_School_with_top_honors)

The United States Army | Page not found

Response by A1C Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2016 9:05 AM

2016-08-22T09:05:11-04:00

Our TI was the first person obviously to make an impression on me in my military career and I won't ever forget his professionalism. He cared about us in the way that he wanted us to be the best. He was not going to send mediocre airmen into the real world. He was always stern and treated us like adults, never coddling us. When somebody got to the point of getting into their feelings because they had been yelled at or something small like that he would tell them to go away and return when they got over it. But it wasn't until one night when he sat down one of our peers for a one on one that he became a real role model to me. He took the kid aside and told him that he could see that something was wrong outside the norm of the basic training stress. The kid then in turn admitted that he was planning to commit suicide after he had gotten his next phone call to talk to his family. He could have possibly save that persons life and that's when I knew he was a true leader.

Response by SPC Jeffrey Frusha made Aug 25 at 2016 6:10 PM

2016-08-25T18:10:35-04:00

Compassion.

DS Jones had it. On the other hand, our Junior DS had to get it, and when he did, things began happening faster and better. Rather than let me be a TC holdover, coming off crutches for the final PT test, I NEEDED a personal driving force to keep me moving, despite pain from an undiagnosed herniated disk AND a fractured leg. He KNEW me, and used EVERYTHING he knew about me to push/pull and cajole me through that day of absolute pain and misery. I got that PT test FINISHED. Being on crutches for the final forced-road-march, I would have washed-out, if I had to continue in full gear. Crutches, Basic web gear with gas-mask and butt-pack was pushing the limit, but doable, rather than a fully-loaded Alice pack. I finished on crutches. I still had to mask-up and swing crutches even when masked..

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Aug 29 at 2016 10:17 AM

2016-08-29T10:17:05-04:00

SSG Private RallyPoint Member When I went into the Navy, I was at the limits of acceptable. I have been a large person since I turned 13. For me what stood out was the attitude of "You are not going to fail on my fucking watch recruit!" attitude. It made me want to push through and succeed to prove to them that I appreciated the effort. After passing the PRT test, and knowing I was going to graduate, best moment of Boot Camp was when myself and another recruit who was in the same situation I was were told by our RDC that the "Recruit" cover we had put us out of uniform. He then took the Recruit cover, and we received our "Navy" covers, and joined the rest of our division in receiving our post boot camp orders.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 29 at 2016 12:34 PM

2016-08-29T12:34:00-04:00

I had technically 4 RDCs (recruit division commanders), so it's difficult to decide because they all play specific parts. I would say ABH2 Mitchell because he was all about motivation for PT. Also BMC Garr who had the worst insults yet they were the funniest ever.

Great people after RTC; would go to the moon for them.

Response by PO2 Peter Klein made Aug 29 at 2016 10:08 PM

2016-08-29T22:08:33-04:00

In the Navy we had company commanders. We were his last boot camp company and I don't think he cared. If he finished high school I would be surprised. Everyone of us recruits had at least one year of college. I was in better shape before boot camp than after.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Sep 10 at 2016 10:36 AM

2016-09-10T10:36:26-04:00

Hey, that looks very abusive, where is the PC Police?

Response by LTC Sonya Friday made Sep 18 at 2016 12:52 AM

2016-09-18T00:52:58-04:00

I did basic training at Fort Dix NJ, and my Drill Sergeant (DS) was DS Cabrera. During basic training he was the one who talked to me about ROTC and becoming an officer. He saw something in me and one year later, I went from PFC to Cadet.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 19 at 2016 1:04 PM

2016-09-19T13:04:38-04:00

In addition to my (S)DS being a total badass, as posted before, I also had one, I'll never forget him, SSG (DS) Dylan Browe. This man would not just rip us apart if we were ate up, but he would also take the time to take the Hat off (He used to say that if we saw him without the Hat then he wasn't Drill Sergeant at the moment, he was SSG) and mentor us. From Marksmanship, to Combatives, to Land Nav, to life in general. So my PLT really had the Good Cop / Bad Cop thing going. But we were never surprised. We knew who Good Cop was. My stubborn ass, however, always went to Bad Cop for advice or questions. He was the most badass guy in the company, so I trusted that he would square me away. I was never disappointed, and I absolutely appreciate everything those men did for me.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2016 1:27 AM

2016-09-22T01:27:41-04:00

The man could make himself completely understood despite his vocabulary being limited to the 7 words George Carlin stated you cannot say on TV at decibel levels usually reserved for WW II air raid sirens.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2016 1:59 PM

2016-09-22T13:59:38-04:00

I did not have a DS in boot. I had a DI. Several in fact! ;)

I went to boot camp in 1984. I was the tender age of 23-1/2. I had done several years of college, 1 year of Navy ROTC (non-scholarship), and was out of money and lacking direction in my life. While in ROTC during Spring Break, our senior Marine Officer took anyone that wanted to go to Camp Pendleton and MCRD San Diego for a tour of the Marine Corps. There I learned a lot of the inner workings of what each DI does in a platoon. You have 3 main figures: Father, Hammer & Knowledge. Then, each DI will usually have an area of focus as well.

Platoon 3056, M Co, 3rd Recruit Battalion, 1st Recruit Division, San Diego
SSgt Atondo, Sr DI, "Father Figure", Drill Expertise
SSgt Guerrero, "Hammer", Physical Fitness
SSgt Shute, "Intern", fresh from DI school, did not know his left from his right, aghhhh!
Sgt Wilkerson, "Prac/Knowledge", knowledge, knowledge, knowledge

Our 3 DIs not only had to get us squared away but also had to get the new DI proby squared away. What I remember most was our 3 DIs ALWAYS demanded the best we could give, would not accept less, and KNEW it was more than what we thought it was. We started with 98 kids, dropped to the mid 60s for head count by week 4 and graduated with 86 at the end of week 13. We were the best Platoon of the 8 in our series (2 companies, 4 platoons each) and proved it by taking 1st in PFT, 1st in Practical Knowledge and setting a new Drill score record for the base, and came in 2nd (0.1 points behind platoon 3057 who also set a new record.) Both platoons were put on the plaque for best ever Drill.

Our DIs were never our friends but the respect we earned from them is priceless and set the stage for the rest of our time in. I never thought I would run 3 miles, let alone finish it in 20 minutes! I never thought I would be able to do 20 pull-ups yet I was averaging 85 pull-ups every time I got on the equipment, and my DI would have to order me to stop. I never thought I could truly be a Marine - they scared me to death growing up when I did; Vietnam in your face day-in and day-out. But a Lt Col in Seattle (NROTC) showed me what was possible. The DIs whose names and faces will forever be burned into my mind pushed me harder than I had ever been pushed. But, that 1st day, they DID say it was up to us to make it through. I listened, I learned, I became a Marine.

Semper Fi!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2016 3:13 PM

2016-09-22T15:13:53-04:00

His breath!

Response by SPC Douglas Bolton made Sep 23 at 2016 2:37 PM

2016-09-23T14:37:09-04:00

I had Sargent McDonald for a drill Sargent. Touch as nails, but a caring person on the inside. He one time had me dig a hole and throw a cigarette butt in it and then dig it back up. (I didn't even smoke!) He was teaching me discipline. I never wavered I followed his orders every time he barked at me. Later he sent me to headquarters as a soldier of the month nominee, and chose me to march with the honor guard in the local parade. I asked him why. He said, "I look for those who will learn how to handle discipline, because they will become good leaders later on."

Response by Sgt William Straub Jr. made Sep 26 at 2016 11:03 AM

2016-09-26T11:03:40-04:00

Tech Sgt Thomas A. Hecht. USAF Basic Military Trainer at Lackland USAFB, San Antonio TX. Strict, load, and fair. Hit me by accident one time and I never forgot it. He was on of 3 NCO's I encountered in my 4 years that I would have followed anywhere.

Response by SPC Douglas Bolton made Sep 27 at 2016 5:17 PM

2016-09-27T17:17:27-04:00

My drill sergeant was a mean dude, but at the same time he cared for his men. He would have died for them. He taught me discipline. I listened and obeyed. Towards the end of basic he nominated me for soldier of the month, and chose me to be in the honor guard. Why? because I always did what her ordered me to do without hesitating, or showing my dislike for what he was having me do. He even had me dig a hole, and put a cigarette in and then dig it back up again. He was testing me, and he liked what he saw. I respected him a lot for that approach.

Response by Sgt Dallas D'Angelo-Gary made Sep 27 at 2016 7:37 PM

2016-09-27T19:37:12-04:00

Mine was way back in 1964, and I don't even remember his name. I do know that he was tough, but fair, and I had a lot of respect for him.

Response by CW3 Dick McManus made Nov 23 at 2016 1:42 AM

2016-11-23T01:42:15-05:00

I went thru basic training twice. It sucked both times.

Response by SPC Douglas Bolton made Dec 1 at 2016 11:53 AM

2016-12-01T11:53:21-05:00

My Drill Sergeant was Staff Sergeant MacDonald. He was consistent, and showed no favoritism. One day my buddy was washing his clothes in a sink when the good SSGT called a surprise meeting out in front of our barracks. My body had no dry clothes to wear so he put on his wet, dripping ones on. The SSGT couldn't resist. He made my buddy get in front of us and we had to laugh in cadence at him.

SSgt MacDonald was also in my face a lot. He made me dig a hole in the ground and put a cigarette in it and bury it. (And I never even smoked.) Then he had me dig it back up. He "Volunteered," me for KP more than I was suppose to. These kind of things went on for the whole BT. Then during the last two weeks he nominated me to march as a honor guard for the local parade, and nominated me for soldier of the month. Why? I asked him that very question at the end of basic. He said it was because I was the only soldier he had that never wavered when he was in my face, and followed orders better than anyone else. I felt honored and, still remember SSGT MacDonald to this day. He changed my life in a very positive way.

Response by SPC Michael Stouffer made Dec 8 at 2016 5:54 PM

2016-12-08T17:54:40-05:00

My basic training on Sand Hill at Ft.Benning was full of colorful drill sergeants, but one sticks out in my mind...Drill Sergeant Hackett. He had been in both the Army and the Marines and was a bad ass! We had a guy in our platoon that reminded us of Steve Urkel and I remember one morning when DS Hackett walked in, Urkel said "good morning drill sergeant" in that dame nasally voice. DS Hackett immediately went off on a tirade about how it indeed was not a good morning as there were American soldiers dying in Afghanistan, this was literally 2 weeks after 9/11. DS Hackett proceeded to smoke Urkel mercilessly.

Response by SPC Douglas Bolton made Dec 17 at 2016 12:23 PM

2016-12-17T12:23:51-05:00

I shared one story about SGT McDonald. The drill Sargent I had. This story is about his toughness. We had some, not so happy, dudes in our group. They were still drafting back then. They moaned and groaned on how they thought they shouldn't be there. We had a couple of blanket parties for them to try to get them to shut up.

One day when the SGT. woke us up and rattle our cages like he always did, one of the draftees defied him and wouldn't do what he said. As a matter of fact the draftee challenged the SGT. to a fight. Sgt McDonald wasn't a very big man. Maybe 5'7, and 150#. The draftee who was over 6' and weighed about 200# looked down at the Sargent. The Sargent invited him into his room at the end of the barracks.

There were crashing sounds. There was moaning going on. We were afraid our Sargent was getting pounded. A little time later the Sargent came out. He was bloody, but the draftee was unconscious on the floor of the Sargent's room.

The respect for our Sargent soured right then. We love him even more. The draftee even showed respect the rest of basic.

Response by MAJ Karen Wall made Dec 18 at 2016 10:22 PM

2016-12-18T22:22:03-05:00

He cared and remembered where he had started. SSGT Woolery......WILD WOOL! HUBBA BUBBA!!!!

Response by SPC Darrel Burt made Dec 19 at 2016 6:18 PM

2016-12-19T18:18:28-05:00

My Drill Sergeant looked just like out Platoon mascot. A Bulldog.

Response by PFC David Gettman made Jul 22 at 2017 4:25 PM

2017-07-22T16:25:01-04:00

SFC McDaniels was older than dirt and looked like a dried up piece of jerky. His legs were so skinny they looked like they would snap if he kicked you in your ass, but he was hard as rock and could run all day and night. Treated us like crap for 8 weeks, but when all was said and done, he just wanted us to have I fighting chance should we find ourselves in VN.

Response by SGT Robert Agee made Jul 22 at 2017 5:21 PM

2017-07-22T17:21:15-04:00

When asked how one earned a Smokey The Bear Hat, he had everyone in the Platoon fall out in the hallway, and said, "Men's, (he always called us Men's), If Drill Sgt. Keys or myself ever, I repeat, EVER, hear you call our Campaign hats, Smokey The Bear Hats, I will personally, I repeat, I WILL PERSONALLY, hang each and every one of you up by the ankles, and beat yore balls with a spoon".

Response by PVT Thad Lucken made Dec 25 at 2017 4:28 PM

2017-12-25T16:28:01-05:00

my sfc champagne at fort benning was a combat medic in vn. when i showed up i didnt even know they had their version of a cib. he was a big man, not a little athletic just older than college DS most of them were, he was six foot and over 200lbs, but he did ALL of the pt with us and then some. after i got out and looked back and thought about the fact that even after everything he had seen and been through that he went back and trained us idiot privates it all made sense that i knew he did it because he didnt want us to go in unprepared and all get killed because someone who didnt care had 'trained' us. at the time it did seem strange, the little things he said about how in southeast asia the enemy would use a discarded law tube against us so pick it up, or how much life wasnt cherished or respected in other parts of the world. i never saw him again, but i feel privileged to have been around someone so dedicated to freedom and reality.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2017 10:01 PM

2017-12-26T22:01:33-05:00

One led by example, and not by emotion.

Response by SPC Matthew Frankel made Jun 30 at 2018 11:06 PM

2018-06-30T23:06:41-04:00

His name was SSG Ironeyes. (Echo 3-10, Ft Leonardwood (July-Sep '95)) I thought, "theres a man that Uncle Sam let pick his own name". Never has a MAN been given a more perfect name at birth. His eyes pierced ur soul. Been 23 yrs ago if that tells u anything. Still on my mind.

Response by SSG Harry Herres made Apr 30 at 2019 7:24 PM

2019-04-30T19:24:34-04:00

My DS would not get his hat till the end our cycle. His platoon was 80% military brats all RAs. Not only did he get his hat but took honor plattoon, everyone qualified high marksman or expert. He bought the booze we drank the booze. Sgt. Rex Cobb. Fort Puke La.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2019 9:44 PM

2019-09-30T21:44:25-04:00

I don’t know about anyone else, but my basic training drills were the best NCO’s i have met in my military career by a fair margin. Their discipline, leadership, and mentoring set them apart. They are what the general populace thinks when they think “soldier”.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2019 11:33 PM

2019-09-30T23:33:23-04:00

He was Airborne, a Sniper in Vietnam 101 ABN Inf, bayoneted 3 time in the back, and lived to talk about it.
When he spoke, there was no BS, just what to do right. "SGT. Dallas Brake"
Everyone believed him when he said, "If you cat call my wife walking by, I'll kill you!"

Response by PFC McKinley Phipps made Feb 25 at 2020 12:05 PM

2020-02-25T12:05:00-05:00

The First Sarge was a Veteran that still carried a bullet and still ran rings around us when we double timed.We would run 6 miles to the rifle range and he would run probably 12 miles because he ran around the Company. We were at Fort Ord and we ran from the mountain to the beaches. From cold to hot. That sand burned in the summer time.

Response by SGT Debra Jahnel made Jun 13 at 2020 3:07 PM

2020-06-13T15:07:20-04:00

SFC Dishmon (Tank Hill, Ft Jackson, 1981) had a wicked sense of humor.

Response by CPT Jay Ward made Oct 20 at 2020 8:27 PM

2020-10-20T20:27:45-04:00

He didn't tell us to do anything he couldn't do, but he could low crawl like a lizard, run very fast. etc.

Response by PFC Stephen Trynosky made May 2 at 2021 8:14 PM

2021-05-02T20:14:58-04:00

Day 2 basic training, Ft. Dix, January 1969. Company out together on the exercise field. M/Sgt Jesse L. Glover, the biggest, blackest man I have ever seen in my life stands on the platform and addresses us. "Sojurs", he says, "there is a lot of this crap going around about prejudice and disharmony". I look out on you today and don't see black, don't see white, all I see is GREEN". That I will NEVER forget til the day I die. What a man! 27, a Master Sgt with the goal to be the youngest Sgt. Major in the Army. Three Nam tours under his belt and going back for a fourth with the Big Red One.

Response by SPC Robert Bobo made Jul 4 at 2022 8:03 PM

2022-07-04T20:03:36-04:00

Even though the push ups, shit details, never ending PT , profanity and KP etc, All were good teachers, fair , focused and consistent, We became soldiers prepared for AIT

Response by CPT Jay Ward made Jul 5 at 2022 6:49 AM

2022-07-05T06:49:24-04:00

To teach us how to throw a grenade, he put his hat in a stake, and said if anyone could hit it, there would be no punishment for us. We all tried to hit it, we all failed, but we became more accurate than we would otherwise. An example of motivation.

Response by MAJ Montgomery Granger made Jul 5 at 2022 5:27 PM

2022-07-05T17:27:14-04:00

My drill sergeants were perfect human beings. First in, last out, high & tight and spit shined. An impossible standard set from day one to watching us leave on the bus to AIT. HOOAH!

Response by CPL Sheila Lewis made Jul 6 at 2022 12:05 PM

2022-07-06T12:05:23-04:00

He was a positive role model.

Response by LCpl Troy Gwyn made Jul 28 at 2022 8:27 AM

2022-07-28T08:27:11-04:00

The fact that he wasn't a Drill Sargeant and some limp wrist soldier. He was a Drill Instructor and a U.S. Marine.

Response by SP5 William Bulling made Jul 29 at 2022 6:13 PM

2022-07-29T18:13:43-04:00

SSGT Walace, 1966, Ft Lewis, WA. I was drafted and shipped to Ft Lewis, WA. When we arrived, the Army was filling the 4th ID to deploy to Vietnam. SSGT Wallace told us on Day 1, your in the 4th ID and your going to Vietnam. He and all the other cadre were training us. I can't see anyone preparing anyone any better than he did. A true Soldier and Man....

Response by PO3 Michael MacKay made Jul 29 at 2022 9:03 PM

2022-07-29T21:03:45-04:00

The stories I could tell about Chief Lysle you would not believe...suffice to say the entire time in Basic Training RTC Great Lakes June -August 1987 were epic, I mean, 1940's WWII comedy type epic. The shenanigans the Chief got into with us, those we got into without him, those he bailed us out of...it was nothing short of unbelievable. I have to publish it in a book some day.

Response by Cpl John Mathews made Jul 29 at 2022 10:56 PM

2022-07-29T22:56:33-04:00

Senior Drill Instructor Staff Sergeant Taitano, MCRD San Diego 1981, platoon 1023. He couldn’t have been taller than 5’6” but his presence made him seem 7’ tall. I will always remember him standing in front of the school circle teaching what it means to be a Marine. One other image that sticks with me is when we were in the field at Camp Pendleton, sitting on the ground eating c-rats and he let us see briefly his other side—a smile and a few jokes before getting back to work. He showed us what it would mean to be part of the brotherhood once we earned the title of Marine.

Response by SPC Matt Ovaska made Jul 30 at 2022 8:07 AM

2022-07-30T08:07:11-04:00

I should not comment on the horrible events I witnessed in Basic.

Response by SSG Jack Scott made Jul 30 at 2022 11:27 PM

2022-07-30T23:27:26-04:00

I didn’t have Drill SGT’s in 1982 I had Drill Instructors mean as hell and all were NAM Combat Vets. Just like the NCO’s in my company after Boot Camp. My dad and uncles served in NAM and I learned a lot from those NCO in was an Honor to serve with them!

Response by Sgt James Gross made Jul 31 at 2022 6:33 PM

2022-07-31T18:33:52-04:00

My TI in Air Force Basic was tough but fair and instilled in us the desire to be the best we could. I graduated from Basic in September of 1970. So I can’t recall his name now, but I learned a lot from him.

Response by SSG Ramone Bey made Jul 31 at 2022 7:51 PM

2022-07-31T19:51:27-04:00

Drill Instructor SSG Masters didn't take no shit and turned a Bunch of Piss Ants into The Finest MEAN GREEN Fighting Machines !!! OOORAH !!!

Response by SP5 James Johnson made Aug 1 at 2022 4:52 PM

2022-08-01T16:52:12-04:00

My DI's were just back from Nam and didn't give a shit. They were short so no one picked on them. And they were a bunch of high grade a holes. Jan 1968

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 30 at 2022 4:25 PM

2022-08-30T16:25:42-04:00

Besides butchering my last name on day 1, they left me alone for the most part. I kept my nose down, and my mouth shut and did as I was told when I was told. After my childhood, boot camp was pretty easy mentally. I did struggle with my running, and I always have. Breathing and running are two things that I can't do at the same time. :)
For the life of me, I can't remember either Company Commanders names. I still have the boot camp photo somewhere, so maybe I'll be able to see if they are wearing their name tags. I remember it was a DC1 and an MM2 and there was a BTC running around as Divo I think. I wish I still had the ricky notebook that one of my roommates tossed in the trash. I'll never forgive her for that. Not only did it have some boot camp stuff, but my high school letter jacket, and my first cruise book. Thankfully, I was able to find a copy of the cruise book on eBay several years ago. It just stinks that I had to pay for it twice!
One day at a time, and keep charging!

Response by LTC Trent Klug made Aug 31 at 2022 4:50 AM

2022-08-31T04:50:26-04:00

My wanting in the Marine club.

Response by MAJ Joseph James made Aug 31 at 2022 3:22 PM

2022-08-31T15:22:29-04:00

SSG Larue, Ft. Know, KY 1982. Great leader, worked out ass off. Great guy overall.

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Aug 31 at 2022 4:11 PM

2022-08-31T16:11:47-04:00

Their military bearing and professionalism. They were the cream of the top and set the example to be e.mulated

Response by 1SG Joseph Dartey made Aug 31 at 2022 7:21 PM

2022-08-31T19:21:15-04:00

By retiring mid-cycle. Lol

Response by SrA Allan Yates made Aug 31 at 2022 9:36 PM

2022-08-31T21:36:30-04:00

He would take every opportunity to structure a question for we maggots that would allow him to respond to our answer with "G*D D**N, Y'ALL SOME NASTY MO**ER F**KERS!!" And then he'd throw his head back and laugh maniacally.

He was the greatest show on earth.

Response by SrA Allan Yates made Aug 31 at 2022 9:40 PM

2022-08-31T21:40:12-04:00

He would take every opportunity to structure a question in such a way for we maggots that, after we answered, would give him the opportunity to bellow, G*D D**N, Y'ALL SOME NASTY MO**ER FU**ERS!!" And then he would throw back his head and laugh maniacally.

He was the greatest show on earth.

Response by SPC Daniel Dresen made Aug 31 at 2022 11:25 PM

2022-08-31T23:25:35-04:00

My drill sergeants were awesome for a few reasons. DS Haidek was a rabid little 5'5" barrel of energy and he drilled one thing, he said, "by the end of training, if you learn one thing it will be how to fucking shoot and take care of your weapon". He was big on teaching proper marksmanship. Then you have DS Mahannah... he was tall and impossible to miss, so much so I dropped my tray in the DFAK at camp Buehring, Kuwait when I saw him. He taught life lessons and keeping safe down range. Lastly, but definitely not least, DS Skinner, he taught us everything he knew about NBC/CBRNE and combat lifesaving... and he saved my brother in law when he was a SPC. He's a good man.

Response by SGT M C made Sep 1 at 2022 10:50 AM

2022-09-01T10:50:59-04:00

Awesome is a relative term! All I wanted to do was get away from them, get out of basic get to my MOS training and get to doing my job. We all get the in your face training ,at least when I was in, but awesome is not a term I would use. Prick etc. comes to mind unless of course you are into the S&M mental torture thing.

Response by SPC Michael Budzinski made Sep 1 at 2022 2:33 PM

2022-09-01T14:33:44-04:00

SSG Coleman, he said can do anything unless caught. Had an idiot who left the service and had to go through boot camp as a E-4. Came back from a long march with backpacks, was hot, everyone sweating, nasty and needed showers. So with a long line to get clean, I slipped into the NCO showers, all alone, plenty hot water, no wit and in and out. Dickhead E-4 got in my face telling me NCO blah, blah, blah. Told him to GFY and get away or would beat his ass. He waited for our Drill Sargent like a baby. SSG Coleman asked if used shower, said yes and that was that. He made the dickhead E-4 stay, locked him up and went to town on him for being a snitch. All smiles. Bet that dickhead was a POS lifer or booted for failing to make rank. Had an alcoholic that was giving the Drill Sargents a hard time and called me in and asked to take care of him. Short time knowing but quickly made friends.

Response by SSG Bruce Booker made Sep 1 at 2022 2:52 PM

2022-09-01T14:52:14-04:00

Fort Ord, CA, January 1968. Cold and foggy. We slept at night with the windows open and the heat turned off because of a meningitis scare. SGT Parker was our platoon DI. He was squared away. He was firm and tough, but he was fair. He earned respect. Then there was his sidekick, CPL Caton. He was a not so squared away weasely little prick who screwed with us for no reason other than that he could. We hated him. One night, several weeks into training, he came to the barracks to screw with us in the middle of the night for no reason other than that he could and he liked to. Some guys met him in a stairwell. They spent some time adjusting his attitude. We didn’t see him for a while after that. When he did come back, he backed off on being a worthless prick. And he seemed to avoid being alone around us a lot after that. I hope the Army had a lot more DIs like SGT Parker. I hope CPL Caton never became one of them.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 1 at 2022 4:28 PM

2022-09-01T16:28:12-04:00

S/Sgt Woods was totally awesome. His military bearing was spot on , but he was an understanding person. His service in the Korean War made him the leader he became.

Response by SFC Marcia Smith made Sep 1 at 2022 6:26 PM

2022-09-01T18:26:26-04:00

I was a buck sergeant DS and loved to instill pride in my trainees for themselves and the ARMY.

Response by MSG Douglas Wilson made Sep 1 at 2022 7:13 PM

2022-09-01T19:13:33-04:00

Being the meanest most strack soldier on post Circa 1971, Ft. Lewis, WA

Response by SPC Gordon Holman made Sep 1 at 2022 7:34 PM

2022-09-01T19:34:33-04:00

Sgt Briggs was a bad ass

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2022 11:05 PM

2022-09-17T23:05:51-04:00

Drill Sergeant (SSG) Hart. His 3 minute speech included the fact that if you referred to them as my "Drill", the "Drill" or specifically "DI" for Drill Instructor, which is a non-Army term and is mutually exclusive to Marines, you will be pushing until he got tired. 9 Years later I used that speech almost to the letter on my first Trail.

Response by PFC John Roscoe made Sep 20 at 2022 8:14 PM

2022-09-20T20:14:13-04:00

Drill Sgt. Baucom was not into shouting, abusing or going overboard. He seemed like he was really not pleased with the situation- this is when the army was really trying to address institutional racism, and he had the only Black assistant DS in the company. Sure enough our platoon was targeted for every gig possible. He was fucked no matter what he did. He soldieired on, got us all through it- and that little Louisiana dude was a competentant platoon leader DS, in a changing army. 45 years later I remember that man. A relatively quiet leader and instructor that got his job done the best he could. Drill Sargeat Shaw- the assistant- was an awesome dude, tht knew exactly what was going on and dealt with it like a professional- both these dudes were just a few years out of combat zones in the RVN

Response by PFC John Roscoe made Sep 20 at 2022 8:15 PM

2022-09-20T20:15:26-04:00

Drill Sgt. Baucom was not into shouting, abusing or going overboard. He seemed like he was really not pleased with the situation- this is when the army was really trying to address institutional racism, and
he had the only Black assistant DS in the company. Sure enough our platoon was targeted for every gig possible. He was fucked no matter what he did. He soldieired on, got us all through it- and that little Louisiana dude was a competentant platoon leader DS, in a changing army. 45 years later I remember that man. A relatively quiet leader and instructor that got his job done the best he could. Drill Sargeat Shaw- the assistant- was an awesome dude, that knew exactly what was going on and dealt with it like a professional- both these dudes were just a few years out of combat zones in the RVN

Response by CWO3 Robert Fong made Nov 8 at 2022 11:07 AM

2022-11-08T11:07:14-05:00

DI, I'll be honest with you. I went through Basic Light Infantry and AIT Heavy Weapons Infantry at the Hawaiian Infantry Training Center, Schofield Barracks at Quad "I" in 1960. There were no such things as "Time Out Cards", and other touchy-feely things. You bunked in a squad bay, one footlocker and one wall locker. During the first 8 weeks there would be no "Pogy Bait", Post Exchanges, Movies, etc. You did, however, have Study Hall, KP, Guard Mount, PT, and all manner of weapons and squad maneuver training. Our DI's on the first day of training wanted to know who the "Bad Guys" were and to step forward. They used all sorts of colorful language; they planted an 11-1/2 boot when it was required. They allowed some folks who failed to pay attention to feel a vertical butt stroke. They ran us up Kolokole Pass and back down with full field packs and BARs after drinking Kool Aid. If you couldn't cut it the first time around, you were recycled over and over until you caught on. You ate your meals on the first 2" of your seats and you did not have the luxury of selecting your food items. You ate K-Rations once a month.
At the conclusion of BCT/AIT the DI's gathered us all together in the Squad Bay. It was then and there that they told us that their job was to keep us alive in combat so that when we came home, we could tell our grandkids about "The Big One." They wanted to minimize Gold Star mothers. If we thought that they were hard on us, then they really had no idea how hard the enemy could be. We were trained to be an effective, efficient, deadly fighting machine able to fight alone or in teams.
Drill Instructors do no favors to their recruits if they mollycoddle them or try to be their mothers. They need to be the closest thing to the enemy that their recruits will ever come to before combat. HARD CORE!

Response by SSG Eric Blue made Nov 16 at 2022 9:27 PM

2022-11-16T21:27:20-05:00

DS Little was one of the ONLY Black FISTers I'd ever seen. He didn't mentor me directly, but he made sure that I saw virtually everything he did that was mission-related as a soldier in the bush and as a Forward Observer to ensure my success. He pushed me harder and longer than he did anyone else in BCT because he saw that I wasn't here to play around like most of my classmates in basic. He knew that I understood the seriousness of what I had chosen and he motivated me to give my best every time. Not for praise or accolades or anything like that, but simply because I wanted to be the best ME that I could. The fact that I'm a hybridized martial artist like him and like his senior made both of them admire me a little more. So much so that they "suggested" that I attend the boxing & kickboxing smoker held on Fort Sill when I was there, even though I had already signed up for the Silk concert and trainees were allowed participation at ONLY ONE MWR event.

Response by MSgt Janice Trojan made Nov 28 at 2022 11:22 PM

2022-11-28T23:22:44-05:00

I had a female Buck sargeant TI was senior to a male TI SSG trainee. She set him up for a situation. She ordered no matter what he did we sat down. We understood it, it was awesome. He yelled, regrouped and yelled more. She came thru and and remedied the situation. I totally liked it.

Response by SPC Maurice Evans made Feb 12 at 2023 1:40 PM

2023-02-12T13:40:02-05:00

you could tell he really wanted to train us as best he could to survive in Viet Nam where most of us at Ft. bliss 1969 we going. i was in communications and didn't go there but i wasn't afraid of him but respected him and went to him many times with questions or problems I had learning or being good at. He was very encouraging which is why we were the best platoon in the best company.

Response by SPC Tamara Trammell made Feb 12 at 2023 4:20 PM

2023-02-12T16:20:51-05:00

Fort Sill 2010.
Drill Sergeant Montoya. He made damn sure everyone knew he expected soldiers to use their heads as much as his muscle and kept a special eye out for nerds like me.

Response by SPC Thomas Klimczyk made Feb 12 at 2023 5:11 PM

2023-02-12T17:11:52-05:00

Sgt McEntire at ft. McLellan Alabama. He was mean as hell, but, he was so humorous! He drove me in his pov to take care of some personal business. We bonded as he was a totally different person and was so helpful. A glimpse of his natural self, was eye opening. He cared about his soldiers.

Response by SPC Douglas Bolton made Feb 12 at 2023 11:05 PM

2023-02-12T23:05:47-05:00

He was very tough, but fair. If you followed his orders you were good. I obeyed everything, even had to dig a hole and put a cigarette in and then dig it up again. Towards the end of basic he nominated me for soldier of the month , and placed me on the honor guard. I had to ask him why. I didn't feel that special. He sida, "Because you never once question my orders."

Response by SFC Ernest Thurston made Feb 13 at 2023 9:47 PM

2023-02-13T21:47:20-05:00

He was politically incorrect, funny and tough all at the same time. I went through Basic in May of 1974 at Ft Jackson SC. MY senior Drill was Drill Sergeant Brown (SFC). He was a tall black guy from Georgia and had problem with pronouncing some words that had th or sh in the beginning of the word. It just so happens that my last name Thurston starts with TH. On day one when we were lined up outside the barracks with our duffle bags on our shoulders. He was making bunk assignments. He would call a name and you had to run up and say "Yes Drill Sergeant and then he would send you to your bunk assignment. He called my name about five times but I didn't understand him because it sounded like he was saying Surson. I asked the guy in front of me if he said my name and just got a shrug of a shoulder. So I went up to him and said, "Drill Sergeant, did you call THURSTON". He said yes, I called SURSON Are you Surson? I said "I guess so Drill Sgt. then He said where the hell you been Surson, I been calling you all day, now get up stairs and put you bag on you bunk and get back here.
Later that day he stood on the front stoop of the barracks with his coffee in his hand and introduced himself. He said, I know you have heard of Black power on the street, and I know you have heard of White power. Well I'm here to tell you this and make sure you hear it. Around here, there is no black power, there is now white power. There is only one kind of power, that is BROWN POWER. That is me, Drill Sergeant Brown and I have all the power! Then he gave us the command of Half Right Face, Front Leaning Rest Position Move!
That same day we were in formation and a couple of the guys behind me were goofing around and they knocked my hat off of my head. So I broke ranks to pick it up. DS Brown called me and the other guy out in front of the formation and asked what our names were. I told him Thurston, Drill Sgt. He said no it isn't. Your name is SHITBIRD. The other guy got the name TRAINASSEE. He told us to go grab the trash cans carry them over our shoulder by the handle. Then he said I want you to run as fast as you can up to the other end of the Company area yelling out your new name. Every time your left foot hits the ground yell "I am a SHITBIRD". That was the first part of Day one. There are many more stories like that every day.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2023 2:30 PM

2023-02-14T14:30:50-05:00

What made one of my DIs awesome, to start, was his name: "Merder"... as in "murder" with an "e." I was his favorite (as it seemed to me at the time)... as a Squad Leader I knew my stuff in Basic and was gung-ho in every way. Best story: During the last 1-mile run at Ft. Knox before AIT (I was 19-D Scout Recon) I was about 30 feet back in second place from Hutchinson who was a good runner from Cleveland. As we came around the final 1/4 turn I heard DI Merder yell my name, which was "Hennessy" but in his language was "HennessyYouPieceAShit"... I heard him yell, "HennessyYouPieceAShit," if Hutchinson beats you you better keep right on runnin'..." I beat him. I credit DI Merder's after-burner effect. I'll never forget him.

Response by PFC Ken Mason made Feb 18 at 2023 9:46 PM

2023-02-18T21:46:36-05:00

Ft. Bliss 1981 - 1982. DI's Crook and Daggett. Crook inspired me and Daggett cared. He REALLY cared. He called ahead to my permanent Duty Station and got me hand-picked and my time in service was spent feeling like I had people looking out for me. He knew people, pulled strings. Made sure I was kept challenged, invested in, not allowed to go to waste. DI's are wonderful men sometimes! They do it because they want you to have what they've got burning within. I get it. It's magical, what they do. Thank you for seeing the soldier, the professional, the gentleman in me Sgt. Daggett.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2023 7:35 PM

2023-02-22T19:35:42-05:00

My Drill Sergeant at Fort Benning, in 1967, was SFC Murphy. He was SF, on a break from repeated/extended tours training the Hmong mercenaries. He was in charge of our BCT platoon, but let his minions do the yelling. He was always laughing. He somehow seemed to take an interest in each one of us (some, more than others). SFC Murphy didn't agree with the training we were getting, and let the Command know by training us in an intricate Foreign Legion marching drill. We hustled barracks cleaning, to find time to practice, then sacrificed an overnight pass (every trainee in the platoon volunteered!) to hone this drill to perfection, over the weekend. Then on Monday morning, for PT, we double-timed to HQ and performed this awesome drill on the parade ground. I mean...that's leadership! (He also taught us how to really confuse and defeat Charlie.)

Response by LCpl Michael Cappello made Mar 6 at 2023 12:30 PM

2023-03-06T12:30:12-05:00

Our Drill INSTRUCTORS were ALL awesome. I would buy ANY and EVERY one of them a drink anytime. Thanks SDI SSgt Thompson, DI Sgt Williams, and DI Sgt Womack We of Plt. 2040 D Company 2nd RTBN PISC Salute you. Semper Fi

Response by SP5 Geoffrey Vannerson made Mar 28 at 2023 2:42 PM

2023-03-28T14:42:44-04:00

My favorite one was Drill SGT Moreing who was at Ft. "Blister" (Bliss) TX. He was the DI they sent when someone or the platoon needed to be "smoked." Man must have known a 1,000 cadences. Had a great sense of humor (when you got to see it.) End of Basic and AIT a few of us who he liked and who liked him went to the PX and bought him a 1/2 gal of his favorite alcohol (Old Grandad.) as a thank you. He use to tell us ("if you don't do what i'm telling you, this time next year, you gonna be a 1 year old baby ghost.") Another one of my favs was whenever an officer went by and said "carry on" very quietly, and only to us he would say "think we ain't." Very few HAPPY memories, but always a few GOOD ones to look back on. (Air Defense Artillery 1982)

Response by SGT John Overby made Mar 29 at 2023 3:37 PM

2023-03-29T15:37:53-04:00

My DI in 1969 was SFC Thomas. He was a clone of Sammy Davis Jr. to a tee, We were at Ft. Dix (sp!) and in WWII barracks. I was from TN and near day one he walked up to me and began to rub his hands on my face and asked me how it felt to a southern boy to have a black man rubbing over me. My response was of course: "no problem to me Drill Sargent Thomas." It wasn't because: 1. I didn't care; 2. I knew better than to say otherwise if it had been an issue with me.

DI Thomas taught bayonet training and was as fast as greased lighting through the procedure. The last night of BCT a punk-soldier from Cincinnati found some engineering tape and wrapped it around four second floor post creating a rectangle. He then went to DI Thomas' room door and knocked loudly, yelling "SGT Thomas come out here, I want to fight you, NOW!" SGT Thomas opened the door and stepped out, looked the punk in the eyes and said: "Let me explain two things to you. "1. I didn't earn my stripes to lose one because of you and 2. I would whip your ass every which way but loose. Now get that tape down and get your ass into your bunk." Knowing how fast he was at the bayonet training procedure, now 54 years later I still believe SGT Thomas would have mauled the guy.

Response by SSG Rick Miller made Mar 29 at 2023 3:39 PM

2023-03-29T15:39:11-04:00

My DS, by the name of SSG Charles S. Beer, was quite honestly batshit crazy. He was a Vietnam vet with an SF tab and a CIB. In his dress greens, he had a stack of ribbons that went up his chest almost to the shoulder. He was determined to have us push Ft. Knox down into Tennessee form Kentucky, and he almost made it happen. He was a hard but fair man. He never caused any injury to anything except our pride, and he could do that with a word. He was also one of only two Infantry Drill Sergeants in our training Company. We were road marching back from BRM and hit a crossroads where there were deuce and a halfs waiting. Senior Drill said Beer, put them on the trucks. DS Beer replied hell no, this is second platoon, we'll walk. After that, nobody could tell us anything except our DS. Beer was 11B, and his assistant DS was an 11C. I for get the Assistant's name. It has been 45 years. I enlisted when Moses was a road guard.

Response by CA Jonathan Mann made Mar 30 at 2023 10:20 PM

2023-03-30T22:20:32-04:00

I have been in positions of authority, and I don't like dealing with idiots.
When it was my turn to be yelled at by my CC with saliva spewing from his open mouth. I couldn't wipe the smile off my face; lord knows I tried, so he cold cocked me. He was a little guy and was the spitting image of Don Knotts.
I knew it was just part of the boot camp regimen to reprogram recruits to bow down to the discipline of the line of command. I ended up marching in sand with my full kit, hold my piece over my head. I was never more fit in my life. I gained 20 pounds of solid muscle and not an ounce of body fat.

Response by Sgt Greg Crider made Mar 30 at 2023 11:42 PM

2023-03-30T23:42:44-04:00

Nope, I HATED basic training. Waste of time in my opinion. Couldn't wait to complete it so I could get my technical training to do the job I really joined for.

Response by SPC Ray Rigsby made Mar 31 at 2023 6:26 PM

2023-03-31T18:26:06-04:00

Is that like some sort of sick joke? He is probably dead by now and I pray he died a miserable death! I won't go into details because he isn't worth wasting my time on!

Response by CAPT Carl Robertson made Apr 1 at 2023 8:00 PM

2023-04-01T20:00:42-04:00

Staff Sargent Cliff Conner, USMC. Drill Instructor at Aviation Officer Candidate School, 1975 Class 19-75, Pensacola FL. Put the fear of God in me from day one. Gave me and the members of my class life seasons that have stayed with me to this day. There are many that I came to respect in my 28 years as a naval aviator but non more than Staff Sargent Cliff Conner. RIP my friend.

Response by SPC Rick Price made Apr 2 at 2023 8:08 PM

2023-04-02T20:08:18-04:00

His honesty w us and commitment to discipline

Response by MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D. made Apr 3 at 2023 2:17 AM

2023-04-03T02:17:04-04:00

Mine was wounded while with the 1st Cav in the Ia Drang Valley in Nov. '65. A short, baby-faced guy who absolutely suffered no fools. He had a buck sgt. asst. named Camacho from Guam who was in the 199th LIB during Tet '68. Both were tough as nails . . .

Response by SGM Ronald Cheatom made Apr 16 at 2023 4:01 PM

2023-04-16T16:01:01-04:00

SFC Reese and SFC Landers were good teachers, and they possessed great leadership qualities. Sgt Landers was an infantryman who served in the Americal division in Vietnam, and he had great knowledge of field craft. What I found was their greatest quality was there sense of humor, and how their approach to us trainees was more like a wise uncle with a little "salt". Here it is 42 years later, and I can see them.like they are right in front of me.

Response by SSG Shawn Mcfadden made Apr 29 at 2023 5:19 AM

2023-04-29T05:19:42-04:00

He was a hard ass, but he was fair across the board.

Response by CPT Kurk Harris made May 28 at 2023 3:25 PM

2023-05-28T15:25:26-04:00

Graduation.

Response by SSG Eric Blue made May 28 at 2023 11:06 PM

2023-05-28T23:06:21-04:00

DS Michael Clark & DS Jehran Little were my drill sergeants. They treated me like a private, of course. But they saw the light in me and did what they could to make that light burn brighter. Maybe it's because I'm Black just like they were. Maybe it's because I'm a lifelong martial artist like one of them. Maybe it's because I'm a 13F like the other one. Maybe it's because one of them was a Marine at one point and he learn that I'm the grandson of two Montford Point Marines. Regardless of what the reason was, they pushed me to excel...which wasn't hard for them seeing how I wanted to be the best that I could be. I think they appreciated my effort more than my success in BCT and the fact that I didn't settle for just meeting the standard like a lot of my classmates did.

Response by MSG Bob S made May 29 at 2023 1:41 AM

2023-05-29T01:41:23-04:00

SSG Gene Brewer was the was on me like white on rice the whole cycle. As I found out 11 years later when he and I crossed paths in Iraq when he was a SGM and I was an SSG he told me that from day one he saw something in me he wanted to mentor.

Response by PO2 Tom Hauser made Jun 1 at 2023 10:42 AM

2023-06-01T10:42:02-04:00

In the Navy in 1966 we had CPO's in charge at NRTC San Diego. Our Chief would slap us in the
face, punch us in the stomach, PT our asses till we dropped, cuss us out for any perceived infraction,
call us names, and kept us intimidated 24/7. Fuck that bastard!

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2023 8:30 PM

2023-06-01T20:30:36-04:00

His Cadence! "Harmony Church 1982"

Response by SPC Scott Ogle made Jun 1 at 2023 8:57 PM

2023-06-01T20:57:52-04:00

My Drill Sergeant, SFC Brewer was everything I wanted to be, he embodied what it was to be a Soldier. Obviously, my team leader and squad leaders were huge influences too. I just wish I realized how impactful they were on my life before I was medically retired.

Response by PO1 Robert Ryan made Jun 3 at 2023 10:20 AM

2023-06-03T10:20:32-04:00

I just remember his greeting to us. SSG Phillip MAI. "I hate you Rebel Mother Fuc%ers and Punks from New York. Welcome to Basic on the Hill. Being from Woodside NY my life took a new direction for 10 weeks. E-2-1 Tank Hill Fort Jackson South Carolina April 4, 1967.

Response by PFC Tim Arnett made Jun 3 at 2023 10:50 AM

2023-06-03T10:50:57-04:00

I PROCESSED THROUGH D-2, 3RD PLATOON, FORT SILL OKLAHOMA FOR 6 WEEKS BASIC/6 WEEKS AIT (13 BRAVO-CANNON CREWMAN) 1/77-4/77. MY DRILL INSTRUCTORS WERE STAFF SERGEANT SERENO AND SERGEANT KLINETOBE.
WHAT I APPRECIATED FROM THE START WAS THAT SSG SERENO WAS A WOUNDED VETERAN FROM THE VIETNAM WAR, AND ALTHOUGH HAVING BEEN WOUNDED IN HIS LEGS HE HAD GREAT PHYSICAL STAMINA AND ABILITIES TO TEACH THE SCIENCE OF MARCHING AND SO MUCH SO THAT HE WAS KEY IN TRAINING THE ENTIRE COMPANY ABOUT HOW TO GO FROM REST TO ATTENTION TO LEFT/RIGHT FACE WITH HIS LEG FULLY EXTENDED AT A LEVEL 90 DEGREES EXTENTION THROUGHOUT HIS INSTRUCTION, INCLUDING HIS PIVOT (AMAZING).
HE CALLED ME HOMEBOY AS WE WERE BOTH FROM WEST VIRGINIA, BUT I NEVER ATTEMPTED ANY FAVORS. YES HE DID SPEAK ILL OF MY MOTHER AND AT TIMES I SAW HIM ON THE WEAPONS RANGE A FEW TIMES USING A CLEANING ROD TO CHASTISE THE HELMUTS OF RECRUITS WHILST IN THEIR FOXHOLES ON LINE.
HIS CHARISMA WAS APPRECIATED AND HE DREW RESPECT FROM THE OTHER PLATOON RECRUITS SO MUCH SO THAT HE WAS VOTED DRILL INSTRUCTOR OF THE CYCLE.
ONCE WHEN WE WERE MARCHED TO THE NEXT STREET TO C-2 BATTERY, HE HAD TO BALL OUT A CERTAIN RECRUIT (OF C-2) WHO WAS SSG SERENOS BACK WAS TURNED HE SALUTED HIS BACK WITH THE MIDDLE FINGER. WELL WE IN D-2, 3RD PLATOON WEREN'T GOING TO LET THAT GO FOR ONE SECOND, AND SO PRIVATE (E-1) SMITH, WHO WAS STATIONED WITH ME AT OUR PERMANENT STATION (PINDER BARRACKS, ZIRNDORF GERMANY, A-BATTERY, 1ST-22ND FA), GOT SOME MORE WELL NEEDED ATTENTION.
OUR ASSISTANT DRILL INSTRUCTOR, SGT KLINETOBE WAS A VERY NERDY LOOKING FELLOW, AND TALKED KIND OF STRANGE, BUT BOY WHEN WE GOT OUT IN THE DIRT FOR SOME FOOTBALL, HE THREW AS THOUGH HE COULD HAVE BEEN IN THE NFL.
ONE EVENING WHILE OUR PLATOON WAS PREPARING UNIFORMS AND OUR BARRACKS FOR INSPECTION, I WAS CALLED INTO HIS OFFICE, AND HE BEING AROUND 5'-6" AND ME 6' 2" HE ORDERED ME TO LOWER MYSELF ONTO MY KNEES IN FRONT OF HIS DESK SO HE WAS CHEW ME OUT EYE TO EYE. THEN HE ORDERED ME TO DO AN ABOUT FACE AND GET THE HELL OUT OF HIS OFFICE, TO WHICH I STUPIDLY ATTEMPTED ON MY KNEES. HE LAUGHED AND SAID GET ON YOUR FEET FIRST. I AM ALMOST CERTAIN THAT HAD I ATTEMPTED TO GET TO MY FEET FIRST I WOULD HAVE BEEN DRESSED DOWN JUST THE SAME. LOL.
I WAS A 17 YEARS YOUNG KID WHEN I JOINED MIDWAY THROUGH 11TH GRADE, AND WHAT THESE TWO MILITARY MEN ACCOMPLISHED WAS TO SET ME ON A PATH TO MANHOOD AND RESPECT FOR MY COUNTRY AND THE UNITED STATES ARMY, SOMETHING I WILL NEVER FORGET.

Response by 1LT Neal Schwartz made Jun 21 at 2023 10:44 AM

2023-06-21T10:44:01-04:00

1967. Army Engineer 2Lt S.G. Wacker, 2nd Platoon Leader, Artillery OCS, Fort Sill OK. Lt Wacker inspected my rifle without even looking at it. He kept his eyes peeled directly into my eyes, making the fake motions of inspecting a rifle, and pronounced, "Your rifle's dirty, 20(?) demerits, get in formation." This was the weekend formation for the Jark, the punishment tour for 20(?) or more demerits in a given week. Then he called me to the front of the formation to do the Jark with him up MB4 (Medicine Bluff 4), the Hill, famous in artillery talk. I thought I'd never make it, but I stayed with him as some others passed out form the stress and heat, but there was no way I was going to let him beat me. I was so straight I never got demerits, but he insured I got the opportunity to run the Jark at least once. I've tried to locate him over the last 50 or so years to no avail, to thank him for doing that for me. I can't even imagine anyone graduating Artillery OCS without experiencing the Jark. It was not the same way I felt at the time. If anyone should happen to read this and know of an Army officer, Steven G Wacker please give a shout out. I'd still like to talk to him and thank him.

Response by SGT Doug Blanchard made Jun 26 at 2023 8:15 PM

2023-06-26T20:15:41-04:00

It has been several decades back since I was in BCT, 1976 as a matter of fact. But one of my fellow boots that was married at the time lost his wife and unborn child in a car accident. DS Edward's went above and beyond in helping my fellow boot get Red Crossemergency leave to go home and bury his wife. Red Cross had made the arrangement for him to come home, but it was going to be at least a week before he could get a flight out of Lawton. OK. So DS Edward's drove him to Dallas-Ft Worth airport the next day to get a flight home.

Response by SSG Steve Knox made Jun 27 at 2023 6:58 AM

2023-06-27T06:58:27-04:00

Senior Drill Sergeant Clint McMichaels. We called him "Drill Sergeant Clint" when he wasn't around because he reminded us of "Gunny Hiway" from the movie "HEARTBREAK RIDGE". He would always let us know if you want to wear this uniform, you better "d.. w... earn it!" Fort Knox, KY December1987, before graduation from bootcamp, DS Clint sent word for me to report to his office. I knocked on the door and verbally requested permission to enter. A loud scraggly voice yelled "ENTER!" I reported as we were trained to do so in "red" phase. DS Clint stood up and yelled "DROP!" I immediately went to the front leaning rest position and began pushing Fort Knox into the ground. After about 5 or 6 reps, DS Clint yelled "RECOVER!" I recovered and stood at attention before him. After a few seconds, DS Clint yelled "DISMISSED!" I did an about face and walked out closing the door lightly behind me. During graduation, I received the Armor Crewman award. I had "d.. w... earned my uniform. HOOAH, Senior Drill McMichaels.

Response by Sgt Arthur Grant made Jul 2 at 2023 2:35 PM

2023-07-02T14:35:28-04:00

I have to go into some background. My dad had retired at the beginning of my adolescent years, and we moved from the nice town of working professionals where we lived to redneck central central Florida. Long before Disney, there was a place called Silver Springs, and my dad loved it, so we moved down there. Dad bought a boat, and was lost at sea in the Gulf of Mexico four months later, at the beginning of my seventh grade year. I didn't fit in at all, had no father to guide me, and even the coaches didn't try with me: they stuck me on lunch room monitor! What on Earth would the Marines want a guy like me for?

I scored very high on the electronics part of the ASVAB.

I was 17 years old, 117 pounds, 6'1" when I went to Parris Island. It was my Drill Instructor Sergeant Bill (I saw it on one of his documents) Lauer who whipped me into shape. Combined with double rations at perhaps the best chow hall in the Corps (because congressmen often visited), junior drill instructor Sgt Lauer took me from my previous condition to 145 pounds, which was still not great, but it was a far cry from what I had been. I owe that guy.

Response by Cpl Jefferson Cooper made Jul 2 at 2023 9:58 PM

2023-07-02T21:58:10-04:00

When I joined the Marines in 1989, I was painfully shy. After countless sessions of Drill Instructer Staff Sergeant Ferguson (who looked basically like Dwayne "the Rock" Johnson adapted to USMC height/weight regs) screaming in my face in totally non-pc unfiltered rants, asking women out was so much easier...

Response by CW2 Donald Loughrey made Jul 3 at 2023 1:30 PM

2023-07-03T13:30:56-04:00

I was in one of the first Army Basic Training cycles after VOLAR (Voluteer Army) was put into action. That was in May 1974 at Ft Dix A/6/3. It was also the last cycle for DS Flournoy, who was young, professional and the first NCO I encountered of any significance after enlisting for Combat Arms for 4 years for the "Big-Time" $2,500.00 bonus. Eight weeks later I flew to Ft Polk, La, for Infantry School as a member of B/5/3 in North Fort, Ft Polk. DS Trehan was older, profane, tough and a Veteran of Vietnam and possibly Korea. He had a slight limp and used phrases I had never heard before nor since....such as "I am harder than Woodpecker Lips! Don't try my patience!" He was magnificent and I'll never forget him. He wouldn't have recognized the Army 22 years later when I retired. I often wonder how he wound up...

Response by PO1 Robert Ryan made Jul 4 at 2023 10:46 AM

2023-07-04T10:46:29-04:00

His ability to also encourage you not just smoke you for general principle.

Response by SGT Jim Giffin made Jul 5 at 2023 12:50 PM

2023-07-05T12:50:05-04:00

Drill Sgt Haynes and Drill Sgt Feasenhiser. were my Platoon Drills. They had a way of communicating with just a look and the Knife Hand. They pushed me to my limits and beyond. A 4/3 Ft. Leonard Wood June 1976. We also had Drill Sgt Terry Jones who I am positive the character of Major Payne was created after. Drill Sgts Gorman, Williams, and Lamar were some of the rest of the Drills. Crazy how after all these years they are still in my head.

Response by MSG Ronald Williams made Jul 5 at 2023 4:56 PM

2023-07-05T16:56:35-04:00

i went through basic in 1956/7 at Ft Chaffee AK. my only memory is it was wet and cold but enjoyed the experience. i enlisted out of the reserves so i was familiar with the army.

Response by SSgt Erin McAuliffe made Jul 9 at 2023 8:52 AM

2023-07-09T08:52:00-04:00

After Graduation I met him at the NCO club and then we started dating. Air Force 1992.

Response by SP5 James Johnson made Jul 9 at 2023 12:58 PM

2023-07-09T12:58:41-04:00

My memories of my DI's are anything but favorable. Basic at Ft Campbell in Jan of 1968 was hell. My DI's were 11Bravos back from Nam and had short time left. They were sadictic and ignorant. There's more but who cares.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2023 3:10 PM

2023-07-09T15:10:51-04:00

SGT Parish, the DI of our platoon, was a no-nonsense man who cared for his charges. I've never forgotten how he treated us with respect but expected our very best. I remember that his wife had a baby during our basic combat training under him. It had to have been a joyous, prideful occasion for him to be a brand new father. But he never lost focus that he was responsible for getting us in shape so that we could pass the final, Basic Combat Training examinations. He stood proudly with us, the Basic Combat Training graduates of his platoon. And we stood proudly with him, our Basic Combat Training DI. I sometimes wonder about him and his baby, now a 56 year old adult. . . .

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Jul 9 at 2023 3:15 PM

2023-07-09T15:15:04-04:00

SSG French and SSG Foster were allowed in 1992 to make life miserable and pay for our mistakes. It saddens me the character building they were allowed to do then we cannot do today. I was never abused, hazed, or anything I would consider horrible but things were done that contributed to the man and father I am today that is no longer allowed.

Response by SGT Douglas Bruce made Jul 10 at 2023 12:27 AM

2023-07-10T00:27:22-04:00

Drill Sergeant Tucker was awesome because he was tough but fair. Drill Sergeant Compton was the exact opposite. He was just an ass who Drill Sergeant Tucker corrected twice that I know of.

Response by Sgt Mervyn Russell made Jul 10 at 2023 6:54 AM

2023-07-10T06:54:59-04:00

I had a post all written out, seems as though I lost it. They were all awesome.

Response by PO2 Ronnie Chandler made Jul 28 at 2023 5:38 PM

2023-07-28T17:38:51-04:00

I was Navy so we called them Company Commanders of which I had 2 I got the measles and was set back, but my 2nd was po1 Thompson I can still see his face from 1975 and I hear his voice in my head regularly. He was a father a brother a leader and a pastor all in one. He always made sue his Sailors were ok. He taught us by example and he never lied to us.

Response by CPT Robert Madore made Aug 6 at 2023 9:39 PM

2023-08-06T21:39:12-04:00

He actually cared. He never yelled nor demeaned us and always treated us with respect.
He could not run, so we never did either.
He was SSGT Stevens, Ft KNOX, September 8, 1966 -------

Response by SFC Jerome Ludwig made Aug 7 at 2023 8:43 AM

2023-08-07T08:43:59-04:00

He spent 3 years killing communists. OUTSTANDING!

Response by SPC James Butler made Aug 7 at 2023 7:41 PM

2023-08-07T19:41:31-04:00

I never understood how our Senior DS could throw a metal trash can across the barracks and never break anything. All three of our platoon's Drill Sergeants were true professionals. Even though I was a reservist and only stayed one enlistment, I still remember some life lessons and the mentorship that was provided in BCT. At the end of the cycle we all understood how big of a deal it was to have such professionals. It was probably why they were in the Army commercials back in 2000/2001

Response by CPL LaForest Gray made Aug 7 at 2023 7:54 PM

2023-08-07T19:54:44-04:00

The Drill SGT is the 1st REAL PROFESSIONAL SOLDIER you interact with, that you learn to trust this/these (CADRE ) stranger(s).

You see them for 12 weeks (ARMY - BCT) and grow to learn from them and how RESPECT is earned both ways as each phase progresses.

In AIT the Drill SGT trust you with more responsibility, if you’re paying attention you grasp it’s about “REACHING BACK/Each One Teach One” … these soldiers want to help other have a productive professional career while learning to commit to die if that’s the fate of assignments.

That’s the blank check.

The 1st LEADER a new recruit learns from is the Drill SGT.

Response by CPT Earl George made Aug 9 at 2023 6:38 PM

2023-08-09T18:38:13-04:00

I respond to this question from a different perspective. I commanded a BCT company at Ft Knox and had 14 drill sergeants work for me.( the training NCO and the 1SG were both drill sergeants). The were all volunteers (E6 0r E7 inrank) and highly professional. I was most pleased with how they worked together within they individual platoons. You could tell the difference as I lost personnel to PCS moves etc. MY new 1SG had not been a drill sergeant and several of the platoon had E5's waiting to go to drill sergeant school. It was a delight to see what we had accomplished together every 8 weeks.

Response by SGT James Searle made Aug 10 at 2023 3:39 PM

2023-08-10T15:39:00-04:00

In basic at Ft. Polk in '71, my platoon's DS was SFC James E. Alford, Jr., a charismatic man who was a class act in every way, whether that be "my way or the highway" or the Army way or any other way. Whereas the mien and disposition of some other members of the training cadre suggested that they might be suffering from terminal constipation, SFC Alford was as no-nonsense as they were but also was equally personable---and, during down time, displayed a great sense of humor. At the end of the cycle, the platoon unanimously agreed to thank him with a half-gallon bottle of his favorite whiskey, Jack Daniels (a gesture that apparently so irked one of the other DSs that he essentially guilted his platoon into doing the same for him). So, wherever you might be, SFC Alford, I thank you and (despite your instruction that I'm not supposed to do so) I salute you.

Response by SPC Brandon Bell made Aug 10 at 2023 4:51 PM

2023-08-10T16:51:39-04:00

Drill Sergeant Garcia in D Co. 2/58 2013. He was SF I believe. No blue disc but was training infantrymen. He would take off his round and brown and throw on his patrol cap and slide into formation with us and start talking mad trash on himself and other DS’s to see who would join in and then smoke the hell out of all of us. Good times, good times. Another time I was on CQ for the night and had just completed my walkthrough of the bay and sat back down at the desk when he just appeared behind me and said “Everything good here?” And as soon as I went to turn to him and respond he was gone. He was always fair and when he smoked you he did it with a smile and in a humorous way that you couldn’t help but like the guy. He would also tell jokes while smoking us and add extra reps for every laugh. He was a thinner more slender build but he ran like a damn Gazelle lol.

Response by SSG Bill McCoy made Aug 11 at 2023 11:19 AM

2023-08-11T11:19:17-04:00

When I went through Army Basic, I was prior service and only back from Nam for a bit over a year. I was Navy then and served as a Corpsman (medic) with the USMC infantry. Myself and another prior service, after the first formation & meeting with DS Dread, "D-R-E-A-D, and you will rue the day we met!" were told to stand-by when the formation was dismissed. The other prior service did Nam with the "Big Red 1."
We were asked where we lived ... this was at Ft. Dix, NC. Both of us were from PA. We replied and were promptly told, "Go home! Call me a week from this Sunday!" We'd call him at 1800 and 1815 each Sunday and he'd tell us to be at Dix on a cretain day and time. We only had to return for the PT Test, M-16 qualification/hand grenade throw, puggle stick fight and graduation. LOL
I was relieved, but only because my concern was that we would have otherwise been put in recruit leadership positions which, in Basic would've sucked while being fun. Oh, we had to go to the graduation but along with the Company XO, we had to sit in the stands. WHY? LOL Because we all had combat ribbons and the CO (CPT) only had the NDSM. The XO (1LT) was a Mustang and had three Silver Stars, BSM's with V and a couple of Purple Hearts ... he had five rows of ribbons - RARE back then! Yet, he was being RIF'd out of the Army with all his experience. I don't even recall the CO's name, but the XO was 1LT Stitt ... a soldier's soldier!
Navy Basic was a lot different. Our "DS" known as a "Company Commander," was a TP1 (Torpedoman 1st Class Petty Officer - E6) and hid name was Burke. Typical submariner .... skinny as a rail and all sinew and muscle. His uniform was somehow, always PERFECT no matter how hot, rain or shine! His big deal was PT ... especially before we went from dungarees to whites. Run, run, run and run, EVERYWHERE and do the PT obstacle course at LEAST once a day. (No wonder he was in such great shape!)

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2023 12:25 PM

2023-08-11T12:25:37-04:00

I went through Basic Combat Training (BCT) JUN-AUG 1986 Ft. Bliss, Tx. Drill Sergeant's SFC Davidson, SFC Clarke, and SGT Wiliams I remember with admiration. They were highly professional, tough, fair, and I believe they wanted to see you succeed as a soldier. I remember running into SSG Williams in sight and sound on Leighton Barracks, Wurzburg Germany. A voice said, "Hey don't I know you/" A shock went up my spine and I turned around to see SSG Williams. I was a PFC at the time this occurred. He said "Picklesimer you were one of the good ones" I replied "Wow, and all this time I thought you didn't like me" We laughed and caught up a little then parted ways.

Response by SPC(P) Nick Bondgien made Sep 14 at 2023 7:33 AM

2023-09-14T07:33:02-04:00

Drill Ssgt Miles. E-5C-1 *Disneyland*. Awesome DS. He led by example and scared the dogshit outta me at 17. Would love to shake his hand again over a beer and let him know how his mentorship affected my outcome some 35yrs+ later. His example was the driving force for me to have DSschool added into my 2n enlistment.

Response by COL Carl Jensen made Sep 14 at 2023 1:44 PM

2023-09-14T13:44:39-04:00

They were WWII and Korea Vets.. My Plt Sgt was about 5' 5" and he knew he had a Plt. of mostly draftees that were "College Frat Boys" as he put it. He loved to make fun of us but he never harassed us. Nam was approaching, but we were drafted to protect Berlin and the economy. Only one Platoon Drill Sgt. was the harassing type of the 4 platoons. It was a quiet transformation back in 62'. OCS became what I though basic was going to like.

Response by SGT Fred Flick made Sep 14 at 2023 8:34 PM

2023-09-14T20:34:05-04:00

12c 1983 ft lost in the woods. Alpha,1,2. Sfc Robinson. Vietnam veteran senior drill sgt. Guy was a walking killing machine. Look that would make the biggest guy in the company cry, actually did. Give you 2 day head start if you go AWOL, after you dead meat. Biggest bad ass I ever met. Respected 100 percent. Never forget him.

Response by SPC Daniel Rankin made Sep 15 at 2023 10:16 PM

2023-09-15T22:16:14-04:00

I was in my mid thirties when i entered into the service, and one of my DI's was going to be soft on me because of my age, when I messed up he would only give me about 10 pushups, I would do about 20. He was totally impressed with my strength and the fact that I would push myself so far. When he asked me why I told him that I did not want special treatment because of my age. He decided after that to make me a squad leader and pushed me so hard that it made me a better person than I could ever have been. He listened and that is why I enjoyed his command.

Response by SGT Michael McCrary made Sep 17 at 2023 5:20 PM

2023-09-17T17:20:00-04:00

Ft Lost n da woods. DS Kimble from Ms. Told us we could do what we wanted. It's gonna cost tho. The little lessons are still in my head

Response by SGT John Schmelzkopf made Sep 18 at 2023 4:25 AM

2023-09-18T04:25:34-04:00

I remember CPL Hershey, Ft Dix, 64, back then they did things a little different. First Day, handing out the Temp Stripes, "Who wants to be a Squad Leader' raise your hands", a bunch of hands went up. He started pointing out pairs and told them to fight it out, stopping them when he saw best man. Each time less hands went up, then when he had all the Squad Leaders, he asked who wanted to be Platoon Sgt and That was it. He was a Cool man, fun and Sharp, got me Strac. But in them days it was scary, but fun to look back on, the Jump School TAC's were really sharp, loved to Drop Us. We had "Jody Calls" back then when Double Time, that would get you Stockade Time if you used them now in this new ARMY. They Always had a Question that no matter what, got you Dropped for 10 or 20. One TAC had a zinger, "Would you have sex with my Old Lady", of course the answer was always "No SGT", " Whats amatter with my Old Lady, Drop and give 20". Well one day he asked me after a long nasty run, Standing in Formation, Dusty, Sweaty and breathing pretty heavy. He got in my face about 6", Roared the question, I puffed out my chest and yelled out, "I will if you want me too, SGT". I was scared but could see I got him, he had a hard time hiding his grin, dropping me for 20.
We had fun, SFC Cloud and SSG Campos always told us we were going to Nam and to do a good Job so they wouldn't have to go. Nam had not really started yet, only Green Berets, Advisers, then. I Graduated and got Orders for 173rd ABN BDE, Sept, Okinawa, when I got there they had already left, May 5, 1965, for TDY Status, I Joined 1st Bn May 11 at Vung Tau. SFC Cloud and SSG Campos joined us a few months later, SSG Campos became a good friend. After 90 days a C 130 landed and paid us our TDY Pay, lol.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2023 7:47 AM

2023-09-20T07:47:44-04:00

DS Crastor. The guy was amazing. Had a great name, was super intimidating but also very real and understanding. Something about him made you respect and fear him even though you just met him. Would have run through a wall for him in BCT and I might still now.

Response by SPC Steve Fickler made Sep 21 at 2023 4:06 PM

2023-09-21T16:06:56-04:00

Staff Sergeant Tony 'Doc' Holliday yelled at me after the Graduation Ceremony at Ft Did in 1968. I thought I was in trouble AGAIN. I was a 24 year old draftee. I followed him to his quarters, wondering what he wanted. He hadn't treated me any differently than any other for the last six weeks. There was a half pint of whiskey on a small table with two chairs. He told me to sit. He began with, "I've never done this before and don't ask me why I'm doing it now, except you gotta live through this." Then for a half hour he explained to me what I was to expect in Vietnam. SOMEHOWT he knew exactly what I would face. He told me who to talk to, buddy up with and what NOT to do. He poured the last of the booze in our cups and stood saying that Id MAKE it if I just listened. I did!!!! Everything he'd said would happen....did. And I'm still here 53 years later. Oh yeah, I am a white guy and Sgt Holliday was black.

Response by LTC Dick Bulova made Sep 21 at 2023 10:00 PM

2023-09-21T22:00:05-04:00

My Basic Training was at Fort Ord, CA in the summer of 1956. All the non-coms were CIB wearers from Korea with the Platoon Sergeant, SFC Dye, also a CIB star from World War II. These career men, had just returned from Occupation duty In Germany. With the division draftees gone (5th Inf. Div.), they were dedicated to teaching us how to stay alive in combat and perform our mission. Almost no chicken-shit whatever.

Response by SP5 Michael Lewis made Sep 23 at 2023 6:31 PM

2023-09-23T18:31:10-04:00

I joined the Army in December 1974, t the age of 17 and was still growing. My DS instilled in me a lot of traits that taught us not only about military, but for me some life skills. He taught me the correct way to handle my weapon (never touched one prior to joining the service. How to take care of ourselves. A lot of things I learned during my BASIC and AIT training. I had the same DS for both BASIC and AIT. Did not have to start over with another DS. Went a lot smoother. I still remember all of the training. I thank them for all they did for all of us way back then.

Response by SP6 Roger Zabkie made Sep 23 at 2023 10:56 PM

2023-09-23T22:56:44-04:00

Fort Lost in the Woods! Funny!
I did Basic there in winter 1954-55 & never wanted to see Missouri again.

Response by SP5 Wick Humble made Sep 24 at 2023 11:08 PM

2023-09-24T23:08:10-04:00

SGT Silky, from OK; he was hardly awesome, but his best feature was making us all go from hating and fearing him to a level of respect (and even friendship) in 90 days, back in '69. Ours was one of the first year after the 'grad school' deferment was ended, and half our platoon were Bachelor level, or even Master's degree holders: after the first week on being denied 'Platoon of the Week' privileges at Ft. Lewis we figured out where our best interests lay and won ALL of the subsequent awards until 'graduated' -- again. He was our age, and human enough to ask a few of us for help studying for his ACT and entrance exams and we discovered his sense of humor and humane qualities. One of our other DS, also a Vietnam veteran, was a sadistic PTSD'd nut, and his platoon never let him have one Sunday PM off, which was poetic justice. Silky was honest about 'Nam (Where my best hometown pal and platoon buddy, Dean W. was killed four months later) and didn't pretend to be 'SGT Rock' or a doctrinaire 'hero'. Gave us some realistic attitudes about combat which I hope served some of us well later. Plus pride and confidence in the heavy old M-14; some disdain for the 'Mattel' M-16.
Also, he took delivery of a new Camaro during our cycle; some ride! [Sounds stupid, but he also looked like Audie Murphy!] Like me, he'd be 78 now.

Response by SGT Eric A. made Oct 3 at 2023 4:50 PM

2023-10-03T16:50:58-04:00

Drill Sergeants consistently presented the very, very best in military discipline & esprit de corps. They were a constant, awesome example of greatness in serving our nation.

Response by SGT Douglas Bruce made Oct 10 at 2023 9:43 PM

2023-10-10T21:43:13-04:00

Drill Sergeant Tucker was awesome because he was tough but fair unlike Drill Sergeant Compton. Both were Veitnam Vets but I think Compton had lost touch with reality.

Response by 1SG Dean Mcbride (MPER) (CPHR) made Nov 19 at 2023 11:59 PM

2023-11-19T23:59:30-05:00

Standards changed a lot both during my 22 years of service and after my retirement in 1982. The Drill Sergeants I encountered in 1960 Fort Ord, California were not among the Army's Cream of the Crop. The majority came across as a bunch of uneducated bullies that, at times, reverted to physical methods to get their point across. I encountered Drill Sergeants again around 1972 in Fort Polk, Lousiana. I was assigned to the 7th Special Forces Group in Fort Devens, MA whan I received orders for Ft Polk and DI School. I was "selected" for the first "Involuntary Drill Sergeant Program"! I reported into Polk and was assigned to a Basic Training Company while waiting for my class to start. The Drill Sergeants I worked with were generally pretty good soldiers. However, there were a few that fit the same mold as those I encountered in 1960. Due to the fact that I was not a volunteer for the program and did not want to be in it, my primary goal was to get back to Special Forces before I became trapped for the rest of my career in a Basic Training unit... I quickly visited the Reinlistment Office before I could be assigned a class date and reinlisted for Okinawa. Only assignment available in Okinawa was the 1st Special Forces Group. I was quickly back in Special Forces and assigned to an "A" Team! 21 years after my encounter with Drill Sergeants in Fort Ord, I was once again back in a Basic Training unit. This time as a Company First Sergeant in Fort Knox, Kentucky. Quality of DI had changed a lot by then and I had a very professional team of DIs working for me. An SF Combat Patch on an Armored Base was not favorable - a year later, I retired!

Response by SPC Thomas Kosakowskii made Nov 22 at 2023 6:28 AM

2023-11-22T06:28:56-05:00

He didn't try and kill us

Response by SSG Shawn Mcfadden made Nov 22 at 2023 7:19 AM

2023-11-22T07:19:53-05:00

He was hard, but fair. That's why he was respected.

Response by CWO3 Robert Fong made Dec 15 at 2023 10:22 AM

2023-12-15T10:22:48-05:00

He kept me alive!

Response by SFC Douglas Gust made Dec 19 at 2023 8:59 PM

2023-12-19T20:59:07-05:00

My everyday DS SSG Luise Perez had the quickest witty sayings. I got in trouble many times for laughing. My favorite quote: "Trainee Gust you're as useful as a slug's trail without a shine". He was a vet of the Ia Drang valley. Nothing but respect and I will never forget him or the skills he taught me.

Response by Sgt L S made Dec 22 at 2023 11:04 AM

2023-12-22T11:04:34-05:00

Correction to Herself - Dragon Lady encouraged me through two obstacles in the Confidence Course that were rough for me, as I am short even for a woman. I will never forget her for that, thank you DL.

Thanks for acknowledging female warriors, smh.

Response by SGT C Reed made Dec 22 at 2023 4:13 PM

2023-12-22T16:13:13-05:00

Both of my Drill Sergeant's were awesome. (1985, Ft Jackson, Tank Hill). They pushed hard and seemed to really get to know each soldier and 'personalize' their conduct to each of us. I was the only JROTC in my platoon, so they used the hell out of my knowledge without letting me feel like a teacher's pet. I taught so many classes! I was also one of the youngest kids there (17) so there were times my mentoring was a little more parental. I feel they really pushed me to be independent and a leader. One thing that stands out - I was an excellent shot. Captain of the marksmanship team in HS and I found hitting the comparatively LARGE popup targets much easier than anything I'd shot at on my HS team. On qualification day they were short-handed, so I was pulled out of my platoon and put in the washout shed to retrain everyone who failed at qualifying. I was there ALL DAY and got pretty much everyone through. At the end of the day, it was finally my turn to shoot. At first, they couldn't find my rifle (!). Turns out it had been loaned out and used by numerous others throughout the day. It was visibly dirty, inside and out, and I had no time to clean it. I got on the range and started shooting, I hit every target until my rifle jammed. I could not fix it. One of my DS got on the ground, grabbed my weapon, and worked hard to get it unjammed, but to no avail. Time ran out. Turns out, I'd hit just enough targets to earn marksman and 'qualify' anyway, and the crew in charge of the range wouldn't give me a re-do for a better score. My DS, then my company commander, and the DSs from other platoons all went off on the range crew... I mean, they really lit into them, enough where they could have got in trouble for disrespect, yelling about all I'd done to help out that day and how my training had helped so many get through.... well, in the end, I did not get to re-qualify. I think it was something personal between the range guy and my CO. My DSs were so mad. I mean they were genuinely pissed off. So, yeah, it sucked that I walked away with a much lower score than I could have earned, and they knew it, but it showed me what it meant for a leader to have their soldier's back, and that was a lesson I never forgot and used often.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2023 8:57 AM

2023-12-23T08:57:07-05:00

Sgt Wallace was our "DI" at Ft. Lewis, WA for BCT, AIT and beyond, starting at the beginning of January, 1966. The Army was building up the 4th ID mainly with draftees. From day 1, he said pay attention, you're going to Vietnam. The cadre that was training us were all going to Vietnam with us as our leaders. He was tough but fair. If we screwed up he always said "you done stepped on your dick".

Response by CPL Scott Smith made Dec 23 at 2023 9:48 AM

2023-12-23T09:48:20-05:00

He scared me into manhood.

Response by 1SG Ron Schlatter made Dec 25 at 2023 4:48 PM

2023-12-25T16:48:33-05:00

I had three Drill Sergeant’s that made a difference in my career. DS Yeomans taught us how to march and call cadence. DS Johnson taught us how to wear a uniform with pride and look sharp. DS LaFlore was the toughest on all of us. He conducted PT every day and ran us until we were exhausted. He was there waiting for a decision on a medical discharge. He had one lung and could out preform all of us no matter the tasks. I remember our last day he was extremely hard on us. I asked DS Johnson why, he said that DS LaFlore was being discharged under medical conditions. All three of these NCO’s started me a path that served me well for 26 years. There were others in my career but they made a difference in my life!

Response by SPC Jason Hayes made Jan 22 at 2024 9:03 PM

2024-01-22T21:03:53-05:00

Ft Jackson, 89-90. Can’t remember his name, but our senior was a male secretary with a drinking problem.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 20 at 2024 6:43 AM

2024-02-20T06:43:44-05:00

I had SSG Jefferies at Ft. Jackson in 1994. He was the strongest and most fair person I had ever felt with. I was a tad older than most of my class, so I felt he and the others, SSG Cleves and others expected myself to step up and guide the young soldiers. This helped me grow by being more responsible and see why quality leadership is very important. I am still in as a National Guard member now with soon to be 30 yrs.

Response by Cpl Greg Berman made Feb 20 at 2024 3:06 PM

2024-02-20T15:06:41-05:00

" What made your Drill Sergeant awesome?"

Be called a Drill Instructor.

For me it was calling them a Drill Instructor and not a Drill Sergeant .