What made your Drill Sergeant awesome?

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.

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.

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.

One led by example, and not by emotion.

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

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.

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.

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."

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.

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.