Whats the better career move? Drill Sergeant or Recruiting?

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Dec 2013 20:22:11 -0500

Response by SFC James Baber made Dec 20 at 2013 8:45 PM

SFC James Baber — Fri, 20 Dec 2013 20:45:03 -0500

I would say Recruiting as you are less likely to have the headaches of people making false allegations against you and I think you are in a better position to provide the military with quality Soldiers before they come in.

Also being a DS it is next to impossible to get rid of the dead weight after it is already in.

Just my 2 cents

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Dec 20 at 2013 8:46 PM

SGM Matthew Quick — Fri, 20 Dec 2013 20:46:58 -0500

Both assignments are weighted equally, based on the MOS career paths...it may be a person decision.<br><br>If you go Recruiting and are successful and enjoy it, you can receive near automatic promotions to SFC and a higher than average promotion to MSG/1SG.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Dec 20 at 2013 8:47 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Fri, 20 Dec 2013 20:47:42 -0500

Depends on which better suits you. Any job, done well, is better than one done poorly..

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2013 9:01 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Dec 2013 21:01:05 -0500

Depends on what your end-state goals are. Both are equally rewarding and hard at the same time. However, Drill Sergeants are looked upon with a little more reverence and honor than recruiters in my opinon. No disrespect to my recruiters out there but thats what I have come to see. To the best of my knowledge, I have seen personnel in recruiting who have done top notch work get promoted to E-7 if they convert to 79R. At the end of the day, either one of those special duty assignments brief well on your NCOER if you do solid work and will keep you competitive for the senior grade promotions. Its just a matter of which path you choose to go down and which headaches you are willing to deal with ...unless Uncle Sam chooses for you by way of DA Select.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2013 9:02 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Dec 2013 21:02:48 -0500

Hmmm, I look forward to seeing all of the responses because I am considering one of these special duty assignments myself.

Response by SFC James Baber made Dec 20 at 2013 9:07 PM

SFC James Baber — Fri, 20 Dec 2013 21:07:42 -0500

Forgot to add, I was a volunteer recruiter not DA select, and I worked in a TRADOC AIT company as an operations/HQ platoon SGT and had 8 DS I worked with, so I got to see both sides of the coin, that is why I preferred Recruiting over Drill.

That was for the ones that may have thought I was just putting a general opinion out there.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2013 9:11 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Dec 2013 21:11:39 -0500

I was thinking Drill only because it carries Platoon Sergeant time with it, which I think holds a lot of weight.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Dec 21 at 2013 5:06 AM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 05:06:30 -0500

Its all about what you like; for me it was Drill Sergeant it was mentally and physically demanding. I had something to prove within myself as a leader. I wouldn't take back the experience for nothing.  To be on a high level, was and still the best feeling in the world as an Drill Sergeant. I made my E-7 on the trail. I got paid, less as a Drill (375) vs. Recruiter (450) oh well who says life is fair all the time. Both demanding positions, but think about this, which one do you remember the most Drill Sergeants or Recruiters?

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 21 at 2013 5:14 AM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 05:14:52 -0500

Excellent question. I myself was considering a tour as a Drill Sergeant or Recruiter. I strongly believe it's a plus. My question is which of the two is viewed much favorable for the MSG board? Maybe someone has the answer.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 21 at 2013 7:12 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 07:12:15 -0500

Without question Recruiting is much harder than being a Drill Sergeant but for some reason Recruiters are selected less for promotion by DA boards. Pull up any board analysis and you will see for yourself of the population selected x were DS' while only y were recruiters every board, every year. I had a few buddies I served with as a DS who were double badgers and said they would do ten years as a DS before one day of Recruiting. Now, maybe they're over exaggerating but I have rarely met someone that really liked it. I base my opinion of Recruiter being harder solely on you operate alone and as a DS you have battle buddies. If you need a break, you can take one. Not recruiting, not ever! You're in ALC you say, where's my numbers? You're on leave ha, where's my numbers? You put three in last month but this month only one? You're a dirtbag, come see me on Sunday! You get the jest but in retrospect many are not afforded the choice and must make the best out of it, believe me I met my fair share of DA selected Drill Sergeants and they were less than happy to be there. 

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 21 at 2013 9:45 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 09:45:42 -0500

if I could do it all over again, I would have become a Drill Sergeant before becoming an officer.

In my opinion a Recruiter can get any scum bag in basic training but a Drill Sergeant is responsible of putting Soldiers in the military.

From the civilian perspective, being a recruiter could develop your sales and human resources skills and Becoming a DS will develop management, team building, mentoring skills. Both are good options

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2013 12:55 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Dec 2013 00:55:07 -0500

Do what YOU want and feel like you will be a better fit for.  If you enter a decision based on whether or not it will "get" you promoted, your outcome might not be what you expect it.  Never ask what the Army can do for you, ASK what you can do for the  Army.  This reminds me when an NCOs wanted to attend the SAMC board because they thought it would get them promoted.  Needless to say, the individual did not do so well in the board because their passion and desire was not in it.  You can look at trends and analysis all you want; at the end of the day, how successful you are depends solely on YOUR performance.  I wanted to be a DS, but the Army had different plans for me and sent me to AIT PSG course instead.  I earned promoted based on my performance and not job hunting; do your best in everything that you do and your day will come.  I wish you luck in all that you do. 

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2013 11:14 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Dec 2013 11:14:36 -0500

I disagree with your brother. I think Being a drill sergeant pushes you to the limits in regards to handling stress, juggling 6 additional duties, solving issues, and a myriad other ways. My DSs have to expend much energy sometimes knowing that there will be little or no return. Training individuals who may or may not be interested in what you have to say with a 100% turnover rate every 12-14 weeks is a hell of a challenge. Oh, and they cannot discard their field craft like recruiters can......

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2013 1:31 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Dec 2013 13:31:47 -0500

Check out the FY13 SFC Board AAR. It states that Recruiter and Drill Sergeants were viewed favorably by the board. Not that one is any better than the other, but they are both career enhancing assignments and that contribute great things to our Army.

I believe both are equally challenging and I am going to state why:

Both have long hours - DS's and Recruiters start earlier than normal line units (DS are up early with Recruits; Recruiters are up driving 4 hrs to get the person to MEPS by 5)

Both deal with annoying, immature, childish teenagers and adults that are stubborn

Both might (at times) feel like they are wasting their time and not getting ahead.

Both have deadlines: If you don't graduate a certain percentage then it could be viewed as the DS is not doing their job effectively (even if you are by weeding out the ones that just can't make it), Recruiters have goals as well and if we don't meet those goals then the world will end lol.

Both spend long hours, day and night: DS spend numerous hours and the person might not graduate; Recruiters spends numerous hours and s/he might not ship to BCT (back out)..

Both are rewarding: (DS) transforming that civilian into a Soldier, (RCTR) changing a persons life forever!

Both receive well respected badges and Special Duty Pay.

End state: Both are great career enhancing assignments that look favorable to the board and will make your career better with the experience!

I say drop a packet for both and see which one the Army thinks you will be better suited for.

Good Luck!!

Response by LTJG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2013 3:16 AM

LTJG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 03:16:38 -0500

Depends on your personality and skills. BOTH can be fantastic career moves, or horrific career moves depending on you.

The people I have worked with in the past who came from Recruiting or Pushing Boots seemed to bring different skills to the table. My former drill instructors were amazing at getting people moving and on task. They crushed arguments and drama quickly with crisp finesse, and made the gears turn smooth like magic. My former recruiters were able to tackle administrative paperwork, organize promotion/awards packages, network, and prioritize taskings quite well. I could look to these guys to handle complex administrative tasks/requirements correctly, the first time.

As far as promotion boards were concerned, success in either weighed about as well as the other. They were BOTH favorable.

Response by LTJG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2013 3:38 AM

LTJG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 03:38:35 -0500

Drill.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2013 9:00 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 09:00:57 -0500

You may also want to consider one of the full-time SHARP positions as a special duty assignment.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2013 10:15 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 10:15:24 -0500

Back when I was still Army I remember our Retention NCO briefing us "If you ever want to make it to E-7 you either have to make soldiers as a Drill Sergeant or put people in as a Recruiter." Is it still like that?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2014 6:06 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Feb 2014 18:06:47 -0500

As someone who got pulled for a recruiting stint, I vote Drill Sergeant by a wide margin. Plus, the mentality of some (by some, I mean most) of the career 79R is maddening.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2014 3:26 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 15:26:30 -0400

Drill Sergeant all the way!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2014 5:26 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 17:26:18 -0400

Drill Sergeant by far. Being a Recruiter is all great but you "SOLD CARS" in better sense. Being a DS is the beginning of one career and you learn how to train and talk to Soldiers (Not Just Yell) but have that there incase you need it. Good Luck

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2014 9:54 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Aug 2014 21:54:12 -0400

Are you a better teacher and mentor or are you a better salesman?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 19 at 2014 5:58 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 05:58:21 -0400

SGT Girone,
I was a Drill Sergeant in E.Co. 3/13 IN for a year and have been a Drill Sergeant Leader at the USADSS for the last year and a half. You ultimately have to do what fits you better. Being a DS is physically and mentally exhausting. You will learn things about yourself and your leadership style that you never thought that you would. If you love working and developing Soldiers I recommend looking into being a Drill Sergeant, but if you are only looking at it as far as a promotion stand point you might want to stay away. I promise by the time you are done on the trail you will be ready to return to your MOS because it will be a refreshing change of pace. Anyone who ever said being a DS isn't challenging is wrong, because it is. 0400-2000 Mon-Sat and whatever time you have to be there on Sunday for 10 weeks will challenge your mental capabilities because eventually the small things add up. Good Luck on your decision I wish you the best in your career decision.

Response by MSG Martin C. made Aug 19 at 2014 6:49 AM

MSG Martin C. — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 06:49:19 -0400

Well I was both DS and Recruiter and hands down DS was the most rewarding job I ever done besides leading my troops down range.
However you should pick whatever it's best for your personality and style not everyone is fitted to be a DS or Recruiter.

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made Aug 19 at 2014 7:23 AM

1SG Michael Blount — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 07:23:32 -0400

Forgot to mention - if you want OCONUS assignments - DS is the way to go. We train foreign armies. Just in case you were still sitting on the fence.

r,
1SG B

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 19 at 2014 2:22 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 14:22:49 -0400

DS was the best assignemnt I ever had and wish I could go back.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Aug 19 at 2014 2:26 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 14:26:41 -0400

Better question is which suits you better? Not everyone can do either job.

Response by SPC Michael Frugoli made Jan 27 at 2015 10:03 PM

SPC Michael Frugoli — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 22:03:05 -0500

Have to do what you think is better. its been said. you need to like what you do.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2015 11:27 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 11:27:36 -0500

Drill Sergeant. But if you like sitting behind a desk and can sell??? Recruiter. Being a drill sergeant is fun. Long days, but rewarding. Best job I've had as a soldier hands down.

Response by LCpl Donald Faucett made May 5 at 2017 12:34 PM

LCpl Donald Faucett — Fri, 05 May 2017 12:34:17 -0400

DI for sure.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2018 11:30 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Apr 2018 11:30:34 -0400

I was a Drill Sergeant, but I would like to try recruiting.

Response by SFC Charles Temm made Dec 16 at 2018 1:21 PM

SFC Charles Temm — Sun, 16 Dec 2018 13:21:21 -0500

Drill hands down. Both have long miserable work hours but Drill duty at least keeps you in the loop for your MOS & keeps you fit to serve if needed back in the line.

I did both and Recruiter was hands down the worst job I ever had in the Army and the only one I hated every day. The bright spots came later when I met some of the kids I put in but that was only AFTER left recruiter duty.

Response by MAJ Richard Cheek made Jan 13 at 2019 6:46 PM

MAJ Richard Cheek — Sun, 13 Jan 2019 18:46:43 -0500

Drill sgt you get out of it what you put in get the wrong zip code as a recruiter you are dead.