Drill Sergeant

09/19/2024

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/rjv75hqpx8Y

B- 3-13 marching to victory graduation week

12/03/2018

When I was a Drill Sergeant (91 – 94), we used to be at the barracks by 0415 hrs. Wake up was at 0430 hrs. & PT at 0530 hrs. We needed to be ready to go by 0730 to get to training sites and or classrooms.

One afternoon, we were moving out as a company to a training site, I was normally the cadence caller, the CO was there talking to the Drill Sergeant as Soldiers were getting into formation. The CO look at me and said, “Wow SGT Rivera, did you shave this morning?” Mind you I do not grow a full beard. I stop and look at the CO and told him; “Sir, we have a different concept of what morning means. I was up around 3:30 this morning getting to work. Thus I have been at work now for about 8 hours, where you probably got in at what 0900 hrs.”

He walked away.

12/03/2018

My OSUT Company Commander once gave me an ear full because a Soldier that has been in Basic for about a week saw us walking back from the dining facility and went to Parade Rest instead of saluting the CO. He told me that I am not training those Soldiers correctly. The young Soldier reacted incorrectly in both instances, but I could understand his point of view.

After correcting the Soldier, I told the CO to put himself in the Soldiers’ position. He sees a Smoky the Bear hat coming towards him and someone wearing a soft cap. He is not looking at ranks. He is looking for the least painful way to get through that situation. The Soldier’s survival instincts kicked in, not his vision to salute an officer.
Nothing that a few front, back, go will not cure.

12/03/2018

I prefer the Fox 40 over other whistles because of the higher pitch. Great for PT and in the evening PT sessions in the sawdust pit.

11/27/2018

Someone posted the alarm clocks on sale. Even better.

11/26/2018

Alarm clock.

04/16/2018

RIP - just paying respect to the man that most of the recruits had in mind when they arrive at basic training.

12/13/2017

If I was to see my Drill Sergeant today, I would tell him...? or her?

06/22/2017

What did you do for family day? Our company put a tank on display, we did some demonstrations, PT, marching, weapons and involved family members in bed making competitions. Talk about getting a spouse or a teen family member face to face with a Drill Sergeant – it was a hoot. All for fun.

11/15/2016

2nd Plt, C 2-13th; DS Doc Holiday and DS Lopez. This is the cycle where we had reserve Drill Sergeants doing their 2 week summer rotation whit us.

11/15/2016

DS Soderberg as a PVT in Basic Training