Photo By Sgt. Javier Amador | Command Sgt. Maj. Lamont Christian, commandant of the U.S. Army Drill Sergeant School...... read more read more
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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, then 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, 2nd Brigade, 98th Training Division (IET). The program was established because the first sergeant, at the time, saw a high turnover rate at the Drill Sergeant School. The program focuses on the different areas that candidates will be graded on in school 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 school. Once you are in school, 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 school 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 Sgt. Luis Lopez, 3/518th Infantry, 2nd Brigade, 98th Training Division (IET).
Attending Drill Sergeant School 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 school 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).
| Date Taken: | 02.07.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 03.06.2015 14:07 |
| Story ID: | 156199 |
| Location: | HICKORY, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 364 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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