A Path in Life: Becoming a Drill Sergeant

A Path in Life:

Becoming a Drill Sergeant

By Staff Sgt. Deidra Jackson

108th Training Command (IET) Public Affairs

HICKORY, N.C. — Being a mentor means giving guidance and insight to someone with less experience. Being a drill sergeant means giving guidance and insight to civilians becoming Soldiers, it is not just another military occupational specialty but a way of life, a path in life that separates Soldiers from leaders. To be a drill sergeant means being part of a team that encompasses some of the best Soldiers that the Army has to offer.

“Mentoring and relationship are two words I think of when I hear mentorship, it’s a relationship between a person with knowledge and experience which you are seeking,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Lamont Christian, Commandant of the U.S. Army Drill Sergeant Academy in Fort Jackson, South Carolina.

“When that relationship is forged than the mentoring process that takes place never ends, it continues well after you’ve earned your badge,” he said.

The Drill Sergeant Mentoring Program was started a year ago by the 3/518th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion, 98th Training Division (IET). The program was established because the first sergeant, at the time, saw a high turnover rate at the Drill Sergeant Academy. The program focuses on the different areas that candidates will be graded on at the academy such as drill and ceremony, instructing physical training and basic rifle marksmanship.

“Becoming a drill sergeant to me would mean that I have the capability of teaching, mentoring and molding new Soldiers in a positive light,” said Sgt. Louise Milton, 436th Civil Affairs Battalion, Sanford, Florida.

“Showing Soldiers they have the same capabilities as I do; to succeed in the Army or in a civilian atmosphere,” she said.

The path to becoming a drill sergeant is one of great courage, strength and dedication. The selection process is like most others; nominated or volunteer, put in a packet, interviewed and select the dates to attend the academy. Once you are in the academy, the next step is graduating. Upon graduation, a Soldier starts on a career that helps turn civilians into Soldiers. Although the path to becoming a drill sergeant seems like a straight forward path the academy is actually not.

“To see a private that I trained graduate basic training helped me see the end result of nine weeks of hard work and the transformation from civilian to Soldier,” said Drill Sergeant Luis Lopez, 3/518th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion, 98th Training Division (IET).

Attending the Drill Sergeant Academy is no walk in the park. Most Soldiers say it is like being in basic training all over again except this time you are learning how to train Soldiers yourself. There are a lot of changes happening with the military and preparing Soldiers for the academy is one of them.

“Recognizing the power of a drill sergeant and the impact that he or she has on every Soldier that serves in this country is pretty deep,” said Christian.

Approximately 13-15 Soldiers present at the Mentorship Program were interested in becoming drill sergeants, “I am currently working transfer on six,” said Capt. Melanie Stewart, 3/518th BCT Bn, 98th Training Division (IET).

I am a Drill Sergeant!

Command Sgt. Maj. Lamont Christian, commandant of the U.S. Army Drill Sergeant Academy in Fort Jackson, S.C., addresses potential Drill Sergeant Candidates during a Drill Sergeant Mentorship briefing. Photo by Sgt. Javier Amador, 108th Training Command (IET), Public Affairs