Posted on Jun 5, 2015
Who was your Drill Sergeant/Drill Instructor in Basic Training?
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Do you remember your Drill Sergeant, if not by name, could you describe his/her impact on training you, the mannerisms, the pet peeves, the swagger?
The impact of direct leadership during your earliest days in service help form the type of service member you will be throughout your career. That direct leadership changes very little as you progress. The more senior you become in service, the more distance you have between you and your immediate leadership however, that direct leader has a huge impact in shaping (mentoring) you. So, who was that Drill Sergeant/Drill Instructor and how that leadership impacted your career?
The impact of direct leadership during your earliest days in service help form the type of service member you will be throughout your career. That direct leadership changes very little as you progress. The more senior you become in service, the more distance you have between you and your immediate leadership however, that direct leader has a huge impact in shaping (mentoring) you. So, who was that Drill Sergeant/Drill Instructor and how that leadership impacted your career?
Mentorship
Drill Sergeant
Basic Training
Training Soldiers
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 335
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Drill Sergeant Kevin Jones and Drill Sergeant Gerard from The Virgin Islands, both E-6s. September to November, 1988, 2nd Platoon, Charlie Battery, 1/31 FA, Fort Sill, OK. They ripped me apart on Day 1 by focusing all attention on me, but built me up as a soldier and squad leader by the final week. I DEFINITELY needed all that extra attention too. Made me a very successful soldier at Permanent Party in Germany.
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Navy recruit training. 1978 Glakes Company 185. BMC B L Arndt. I don't think he ever shouted directly at any of us. When he shouted, it was to all of us. When he directly addressed one of us, his disappointment came with lower volume and lower pitch. It sounded like Dad's reaction to being disappointed. Most military want to think their DI/CC was above average. I suspect that BMC Arndt actually was above average among CCs.
Almost everyone in our company had guaranteed A schools, so we were going to learn our ratings later. Chief Arndt taught us how to be sailors.
Almost everyone in our company had guaranteed A schools, so we were going to learn our ratings later. Chief Arndt taught us how to be sailors.
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Sr Drill Sergeant SFC Heath, Plt DS SSG Oliver: BCT 1977 B-5-3 Ft Leonard Wood.
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My 2 Drills in A-1-1, Fort Benning, in 1967 were SSG Dengerude (we called him Danger-Rude and it fit) and SFC Murphy. Murphy was SF, just returned from working with the Hmong in Nam. Command didn't like him, because he was the real deal and they were mostly wannabes. He got the whole platoon to volunteer to give up their only weekend off to practice intricate French Foreign Legion marching drills so he could parade us (against orders) in front of the Training Brigade HQ on Monday morning. We learned about leadership from him.
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Good afternoon CSM Michael J. Uhlig. Excellent post. Thank you for sharing this. I recall when I went to RTC Orlando. My Company Commanders were RM2(SW) McCelhaney and AS2(AW) Tomlin. When I switched over to the Army and went through the WTC course at Ft. Still I couldn't recall my DS names. The same when for Ft. Benning. But, I do still recall their faces. The DS's we had at Ft. Still was one short Filipino DS who always said "it would behoove you". lol. the other was a stocky Black DS. They did an excellent job though.
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His name was Lewis. He was a Ssgt. He quickly earned the nickname, 'Screwy Lewy'. This was at Ft. Dix.
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My senior drill Sergeant was SFC Charlot and my other drill Sergeant was SGT Thornberry. I will say, Thornberry was the meanest and toughest. Charlot was a little more easy going, but by NO means a pushover!! They both taught me it was ok to be tough and hardcore, but you can still be compassionate and approachable. I was only 17 at the time, but those two men helped me grow up. If I could talk to them today, I would just want to say, THANK YOU!!
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