What would you say is better, Drill Sergeant or Recruiter?

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Oct 2019 21:00:19 -0400

Response by 1SG Steven Imerman made Oct 25 at 2019 9:02 PM

1SG Steven Imerman — Fri, 25 Oct 2019 21:02:41 -0400

Drill. In a good economy, like now, recruiter duty can seriously damage your career if you do not make your quotas.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Oct 25 at 2019 9:02 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Fri, 25 Oct 2019 21:02:54 -0400

Better for who? Better for what?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2019 9:07 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Oct 2019 21:07:57 -0400

Both have their purpose. Without recruiters you don't have trainees to train into Soldiers. Without Drills you don't have Soldiers to send to the operational force. Different skills and mission. Equally important.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2019 9:42 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Oct 2019 21:42:28 -0400

Better for what? Both are important.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2019 10:03 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Oct 2019 22:03:14 -0400

Both very important, I’d say recruiter if you actually search for the best and brightest and not just quota hunt

Response by LTC Wayne Brandon made Oct 25 at 2019 11:11 PM

LTC Wayne Brandon — Fri, 25 Oct 2019 23:11:26 -0400

Drill Sergeant, then recruiter but only if you are presented with the opportunity for the latter; don't volunteer unless you have a burning desire for that work.
Things you learn 'under the hat' stay with you forever; one of which is a well developed judge of character. As a recruiter this skill in particular will assist you in determining who is best likely to make it and who will founder and likely fail. The job of the recruiter is two fold; to recruit the best candidates for success and make mission. If you are going to lose a potential recruit, make sure it is the right one; the one the Army won't miss.

Another skill you will learn is that of a counselor who can inspire a young person to make a decision for the Army which would serve you well as a recruiter.

Finally, you will learn to teach effectively which is something relatively few know how to do.
That is one skill set that will be useful whether on AD or as a civilian.

In my view, the work as a Drill Sergeant will serve you in many capacities when you move beyond that assignment; Recruiting to a lesser extent. (IMHO)

Response by SSG Brian G. made Oct 25 at 2019 11:16 PM

SSG Brian G. — Fri, 25 Oct 2019 23:16:27 -0400

It's not about being better. There is no better. A Drill Sergeant needs a recruiter to be able to have recruits. A recruiter cannot do their job, would not be in that position without a Drill Sergeant. They work glove in fist.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 26 at 2019 11:14 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 26 Oct 2019 11:14:42 -0400

Drill Sergeant = your success depends on your leadership skills.
Recruiting = your success depends on your sales skills; young adults sticking with what they're not sure they want; honesty of potential recruit; parents, friends, GF/BF, other family members negative influence/advice/interference with what you thought was a solid recruit. Risk of going from hero to zero.
Many have excelled as a Recruiter, and continue to do so.
I suggest there is less risk outside of you ability to mitigate as a DS.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 26 at 2019 2:13 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 26 Oct 2019 14:13:01 -0400

Being a Drill Sergeant was the best 3 years of my life (volunteered for my 3rd year). The hours are long and you are going to get frustrated but if your not prepared to stick to regulation and not cut corners don’t go drill. Or recruiting for that matter I have received plenty of trainees that should have never came based off of disqualifications that their recruiter told them to keep secret. It does happen and it does come out opening up investigations on the recruiter side. I have also had people I know get their hat and badge taken from cutting corners and doing the wrong thing. Both will pretty much be career killers. As long as you have a passion for training Soldiers, upholding the standard, and working with others as close as a family you will have a great time. But I will say this it also depends on your fellow drills. If you have a company of drills that can’t get along you will hate life. If you have a command that won’t back you up and are worried about numbers you won’t want to be there. Once morale goes down in a tradoc company people don’t want to be at work, their passion goes away and they just stick to the requirements such as times they have to be there and stuff they have to teach. That affects the quality of Soldiers which unltimatey affects the force. But if you have a group of drills and a supportive command that works all together. You will want to and enjoy being at work, teaching Soldiers and watching their progression. The quality of those you teach will greatly outshine the others and you will feel great about it once you run into them in the future and they are future officers, warrant officers, and NCO’s. Overall as I stated before my time as a Drill was the best experience of my life and I’m glad I volunteered for it. Hope this helps.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2019 3:21 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Oct 2019 15:21:59 -0400

Response by SFC Ken Marsh made Oct 29 at 2019 8:54 AM

SFC Ken Marsh — Tue, 29 Oct 2019 08:54:04 -0400

I did both. Drill Sergeant first and Recruiter later. Being a Drill made me a better Recruiter as I had great credibility when talking about Basic Training and AIT. The fact that I refused to candy coat what to expect sometimes pissed off my Commanders, but I never had a DEP loss (non-shipper) or a Trainee Discharge during my time as a Recruiter.

Response by SFC Michael McCauley made Oct 30 at 2019 11:26 PM

SFC Michael McCauley — Wed, 30 Oct 2019 23:26:54 -0400

Personally I'd have to go with Drill, I could never Lie well enough to be a Recruiter LMAO.