So long, platoon sergeants! Army begins turning AIT instructors into drill sergeants

The troops deserve more than a shake and bake Drill Instructor. We who EARNED 'The Hat' worked HARD to learn ALL the ins & outs of Drilling the Troops to help them perform at Optimum levels. I think that the Drill Sergeants should have been given a vote before the Pentagon jumped the gun (IMHO)

I can understand all the different opinions and respect each one. As a prior AIT PSG who then became an instructor at the Drill Sergeant who instructs the converstion course I have began to see it in a different light. I will be the first to say the role and duties of a DS on a BCT rotation are much different than the roles and duties of a DS at an AIT rotation. But think about this, there are only 4 BCT sites teaching the exact same POI and there are 27 sites teaching AITs with hundreds of MOSs. Also the TDAs for a BCT are much better in regards to student to cadre than AIT. All of these have logical reasons. A BCT Drill will be the first instructor and authoritian these young troops see and meet. But it will take that well seasoned DS at AIT to finalize the transition into Soldier. One is much heavier in teaching where as the second in much heavier in administrative. Both require 9 weeks at the academy with approved material to certify each of these NCOs. My biggest take away is to not dismiss the job of an AIT PSG it now AIT DS. It’s fair to acknowledge the fact the jobs are different but both require highly disciplined and physically fit NCOs who are capable of making quick and decisive decisions that effect anywhere from 40 to 500 troops with each action. It’s important we put quality leaders in front of the new blood and we build leaders who are capable of operating in both environments. If the Army believes that the hat and badge will help build a better war fighter and they want to give both individuals extra pay for the emence responsibility and long hours these NCOs will under go during their 2-4 year stent as a DS, then I support that 100%. I am glad there is an instentive to help get highly quilfied leaders into these needed position. I just don’t support making it a fight because it takes both outstanding NCOs to build that recruit!