Will a 3rd-year extension for Drill Sergeant benefit me?

2016-05-16T23:44:12-04:00

Will it benefit me. I have an assignment orders for 101st already. Branch said there isn't many SQD LDR jobs? Most of my buddies who left don't have jobs. Is this extension a good idea? Should I jump back into forscom or stay here. Being a DS always looks good. It's an amazing job with the worst hours ever. The wife supports it, my CoC supports it. Is it a good idea? This is my second look for SFC. My current NCOER is says 1 out of 8. Should I stay the course or jump ship and continue to war.

Response by SGT James Puff made May 16 at 2016 11:46 PM

2016-05-16T23:46:55-04:00

If you enjoy being a drill, stay one more year and revisit your opinions next year.

Response by SFC Trevor Wilkinson made May 17 at 2016 12:18 AM

2016-05-17T00:18:01-04:00

Hey brother, first of all as being an Old, Crusty, Retired E-7 from this Army that I loved and served, you have to make decisions on your gut feelings and trust that all will be well. As a Drill Sergeant, yes you look great as I respected my Drill Sergeants and still remember them (1987) Go with your gut brother and I am sure that Mama want's you to get off the trail so you can be with her, but i appears to me that she is an Army wife and she will be there for you no matter what!
The life of a DS is stressful on the Soldier, Mama and the Private's, SFC is in your vision, do what it takes brother as you have sincerely earned it!! I have a CIB, but I always wanted the DS Badge that I let people steal my dreams, please do not allow that!! Trev

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2016 12:23 AM

2016-05-17T00:23:39-04:00

Will your branch consider an extension once you have assignment instructions? Usually AI overrule any personnel requests.
Assuming your branch will honor your request, is there anything you can accomplish in your third year you didn't accomplish in the first two years? Your branch manager doesn't know how many squad leader positions are filled, the branch only assigns you to the brigade. It's up to the brigade to manage it's strengths.
I would go back to the line, but if you really love your job, stay another year. Sometimes path to promotion is doing what you love.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made May 17 at 2016 1:08 AM

2016-05-17T01:08:22-04:00

If you love what you are doing, do another year. It won't hurt your chances at SFC. You have to take charge of your career. No one else will.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made May 17 at 2016 1:26 AM

2016-05-17T01:26:01-04:00

SSG Private RallyPoint Member Do what you enjoy, redouble your efforts to support and praise your spouse! I have already posted a card to Mary Ann, I will soon return, but Athe card praises her! Pay yourself and your family!!!! Time w/ them is valuable! Take care of the bread winner!!!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2016 5:03 AM

2016-05-17T05:03:25-04:00

I would not stick around if you do not have your squad leader time as a SSG. You will not be as competitive against your peers without enough time on the line. Drill and recruiter are not looked at as highly as they were 5-6 years ago. The jobs are out there, I only have half of my SSG squad leaders. Do everything you can to be more competitive for those jobs, like Ranger School. Just some food for thought, good luck.

Response by 1SG Harold Piet made May 17 at 2016 7:09 AM

2016-05-17T07:09:55-04:00

CSM in your MOS field would be the best adviser. I always was able to stay in a leadership position and that assisted in my rise to success. Asst Sqd LDR., SQD LDR. , Motor Sergeant, Platoon Sergeant, 1SG. Only the CSM's of your MOS can give you a real feel of what DOA is looking for now.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2016 8:10 AM

2016-05-17T08:10:26-04:00

Obviously it's a matter of opinion but I would go back and work to get squad leader time. It's important to move around. Boards need to see NCOs who take on new challenges like you did when you became a drill sergeant. If you are already successful as a drill sergeant, it's expected that you will be again. What will set you apart is going back and being successful at an mos that you have been out of for two years. You also have a chance to be a platoon sergeant. Good luck.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2016 8:21 AM

2016-05-17T08:21:01-04:00

It won't hurt you nor will moving back to the force and being a squad leader. Do what you feel comfortable doing! Since you married, do what's right for her.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2016 8:21 AM

2016-05-17T08:21:01-04:00

It won't hurt you nor will moving back to the force and being a squad leader. Do what you feel comfortable doing! Since you married, do what's right for her.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2016 9:17 AM

2016-05-17T09:17:26-04:00

The war is probaby going to be there after next year anyway. So if you like being a drill sergeant go for it. If your 1 out of 8 and all your records are strait and your photo looks good you probably going to get picked up this year for 7 anyway. Being a drill sergeant in the first helps with the promotion but doing a third year I don't think will make a difference since the board is next month. I'd say do it if you really just want to keep being a drill sergeant.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2016 11:09 AM

2016-05-17T11:09:15-04:00

If you still believe you are the right man for the job of Drill Sergeant then stay another year. Talk it through with your spouse because it really is a hardship sometimes on the family. Another year on the trail won't hurt your promotion potential. We need good NCO's to mold these new millennial Soldiers. Give em hell Drill Sergeant. Hope to see you on the promotion list soon. Good luck.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2016 11:17 AM

2016-05-17T11:17:18-04:00

I agree with some of the others - 5 or 8 years ago it would not have mattered, since we were not as drawer down, and getting so much smaller. What this means is any mistake in not getting the correct rating time within our MOS can end up costing not only promotion, but being QMP'd. This happened yesterday to another soldier I know - on of the toughest, speed most competent NCO's I ever met., so understand my reply is coming from a perspective of shock of this happening to him. The trail is its own rewards, so I can understand not wanting to leave. However, I would do this:

Do you know any SNCO / of CSM at the 101st, at any level? If so, reach out to them, explain your situation and ask them if the are willing to make sure to get you a Squad Leader slot.

If you do not know anyone, I would call the BDE CSM (set up an appointment to speak via phone if at all possible), and simply explain your situation, and ask him if he can help you out. the worst he can say is no.

In either case, you will have more actionable information to act on, which will produce a better outcome for you and your family.

This We'll Defend!!

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made May 17 at 2016 11:48 AM

2016-05-17T11:48:19-04:00

One thing to remember as a Drill Sergeant you run the risk of being an E6 Private, if you know what I mean. It's hard to keep current with your MOS/rank- If you have any doubts drive forward.

Response by SFC Rene Rivera made May 17 at 2016 11:49 AM

2016-05-17T11:49:15-04:00

I agree with SGM Wettstein

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2016 12:41 PM

2016-05-17T12:41:22-04:00

You received an awful lot of good advice here; the only thing I can add is when you make your choice, no matter what way it goes, don’t second guess yourself, damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2016 2:56 PM

2016-05-17T14:56:08-04:00

If you can accomplish new challenges within that year that will help your career progression, then do it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2016 3:29 PM

2016-05-17T15:29:02-04:00

Stay as a DS. There will be another option down the road there always is.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2016 4:31 PM

2016-05-17T16:31:11-04:00

It will do you good since according to the new AR (which at this time can't remember of the top of my head) states that Drill Sergeants will count for squad leader. I read this myself when it came out last October. In the other hand if you have all of your squad leader time then do stay another year if they can place you as a Senior Drill Sergeant. By doing that it will show the Army the you're seeking professional development and seeking more responsibility instead of showing them that you just want to be a SL for ever. The minimum to be as a SL but it shows more responsibility and professional development is Weapons Squad Leader or scout/sniper section leader. Those positions are greater then a regular squad leader. Other positions of higher but lesser then PSG is OPS NCO which is additonal positions of greater responsibility for SSGs. Hope this helped.

Response by SFC Robert Bower made May 17 at 2016 6:20 PM

2016-05-17T18:20:50-04:00

You need to go brother. . Stay in your mos and try to get a PSG slot. Or staff. . Master Gunner would help if you don't have it yet.

Response by SSG Darian Jones made May 17 at 2016 6:24 PM

2016-05-17T18:24:09-04:00

If you enjoy what you are doing stay the course

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2016 6:37 PM

2016-05-17T18:37:18-04:00

I would wait until the board convenes and you find out if you are selected. If you are selected for promotion it is a high probability of your assignment changing again due to limited PSG slots. If you make the list get a FORSCOM assignment and move on. If you have your Squad Leader time and for some reason you do not make the list then I would say it's 50/50 3rd year or PCS.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2016 7:03 PM

2016-05-17T19:03:27-04:00

I have made my decision. Thanks everybody for the outstanding advice. I decided to extend. My new Commander has promised me a good set of schools and a SFC slot as the position of Senior Drill of the Company. My wife is on board because of the stability and she has made some good friends. It seems like a no brainier but everyone who has been a Drill knows how mentally and physically draining it is. Thanks again everyone!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2016 9:43 PM

2016-05-17T21:43:00-04:00

I always say war is the answer! However, it's going to be some time before our hands are untied and we can fight again. So for the time being, I say raise the next generation of warriors!

Response by SFC Mike Edwards made May 17 at 2016 10:17 PM

2016-05-17T22:17:55-04:00

Stay. But put in your Warranty package, that way you don't have to keep looking over shoulder for SFC.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2016 11:59 AM

2016-05-18T11:59:08-04:00

That really sucks. Have you considered trying to be a DSL at the Academy? You know a lot of them are E-7's. If I was in your shoes that's what I would do. If it didn't work out then I'd stay on the trail for another year.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2016 2:09 PM

2016-05-19T14:09:41-04:00

Do two years on the trail and then get back to your MOS in a deployable unit. If at the end of two years on the trail you aren't a "T" a third year isn't doing you any good. You proved you could be a Drill Sergeant now go show that you can perform with a FORSCOM unit.

Response by SFC Jeff Couch made May 20 at 2016 10:56 AM

2016-05-20T10:56:54-04:00

SSG what do you feel like the right choice for you and your family is I am not for sure but do they stil have that up or out policy in place as for me I just stayed with what I was enjoying what I loved good luck with whatever choice you make 101st all the way

Response by CSM Guy R. Niles made Jun 9 at 2016 3:30 PM

2016-06-09T15:30:43-04:00

SSG Lawrence Johnson / Larry, if you have already completed the requisite tour of duty as a "Drill", then leave and get beck to the line otherwise, you run the risk of not being competitive in your CMF. Time in TRADOC is a Good Thing; however, too much time can impact the ability for the next Stripe or Rocker. Get out, Get back to a Combative Command and get relevant!

Response by CSM Patrick Durr made Jun 30 at 2016 2:06 PM

2016-06-30T14:06:50-04:00

Having sat on DA promotion panels, and having served the third year myself,...it depends. Your DS time accounts on the board as Squad leader time. If you're in the zone, consider your time. Also consider your skills, basic skills for Basic Trainees, as you know, just don't keep your fighting skills up to date. Going to the 101st or anywhere in the 18thAB, gives you deployment and training opportunity with current up to date equipment...mostly. As a SSG, if you can get a Senior DS position, you'll get PSG credit for that. Pro's and Con's either way. DS time is all considered good time to the board. Sometimes being able to go home at night is worth the additional year. Take it while you can.

Response by CSM Stephen Walls made Jul 19 at 2016 9:56 AM

2016-07-19T09:56:16-04:00

The question should be, will it benefit the Army and the soldiers under you, go where your told and always take leadership positions... Mostly, soldiers that continually take "schoolhouse" assignments come up short in their careers ! Always do things that elevate your subordinates successes, your successes will reflect that effort !

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jul 20 at 2016 4:35 PM

2016-07-20T16:35:42-04:00

As this is your second look you had (maybe) one report as a DI before the board. If you love it and your wife supports it stay, but do not do a 4th year.

Good luck!