Drill Sergeant Course graduation

Photo By Master Sgt. Deborah Williams | Guest speaker, Command Sgt. Maj. Chad A. Utz, 3rd Battalion, 60th Infantry, congratulates graduates of class 514-14 during the graduation ceremony at the U.S. Army Drill Sgt. School held Oct. 30. Twenty newly hatted drill sergeants from the 108th Training Command (IET) completed the 9 week course and were part of graduating class.  

FORT JACKSON, SC, UNITED STATES

10.29.2014

Story by Master Sgt. Deborah Williams 

108th Training Command- Initial Entry Training

FORT JACKSON, S.C. - Drill Sergeant Class 514-14 graduated 89 drill sergeants here Oct. 29. The ceremony began with arrival of the Official Party, Invocation and the Commandant’s remarks. Command Sgt. Maj. Lamont Christian, U.S. Army Drill Sergeant School commandant, expressed the need to be able to adapt to change.

“You are embarking on a journey, a journey through a world of change. You will be part of that change for our Army as we evolve and go forward,” said Christian. “Today that challenge begins - all the way to the end.”

In the United States Army, drill sergeants are assigned the duty of indoctrinating new recruits entering the military into the customs and practices of military life.

Guest speaker, Command Sgt. Maj. Chad A. Utz, currently serving as the 3-60th Infantry command sergeant major, also spoke of change as a drill sergeant training our future Soldiers.

Utz said, “Victory truly does start here especially when talking about change, adaptability and leadership.”

“We have a depth to our environment. As a drill sergeant, you have to understand change and the ability to adapt to your environment. Our mission is to transform civilians into Soldiers. Every civilian will make this transition differently,” continued Utz. “As a drill sergeant you have to help them with this change within the limits of their environment.”

“Since I was a first sergeant and now a battalion command sergeant major here at Basic Combat Training (BCT), I have personally seen BCT change from PRT to rifle marksmanship. You too will see a change; be adaptable. Every Soldier you come in contact with will remember your name,” concluded Utz.

Drill sergeant candidates are held to the highest standards while going through the school as preparation for their tours of duty. They must meet the U.S. Army HT/WT standards and pass an APFT with 60 points in each event with a total score of 180 points to be accepted into the course. This is a physically demanding course; therefore, DSCs should arrive at the Drill Sergeant School in a high state of physical fitness.

They are required to be proficient in Drill and Ceremony IAW TC 3-21.5 and be familiar with FM 3-22.9 Rifle Marksmanship M16/M4 Series Weapons (including Change 1) and FM 7-22 Army Physical Readiness Training.

“I have been out of the country down range and I had an opportunity to meet with some of our Soldiers. If you haven’t figured it out yet, things are not slowing down, they may be actually picking up,” said Brig. Gen. Ray Royalty, deputy commanding general, 108th Training Command (IET).

What’s my message, “We keep hearing about downsizing, losing Soldiers and maybe so, but there are still a lot of things going on. You will have very important missions when you get out on the trail-very important,” said Royalty.

“You are the exception, so you are going to have to live up to that. It is not easy because we all have our weak points, but everyone will look up to you in terms of mental, moral and physical capacity all the time. So again, you will have to live up to this being a drill sergeant.”

Royalty presented every graduate from the 95th and 98th Training Division (IET) a coin, “I am proud of each and every one of you – see you on the trail.”

Successful completion of Drill Sergeant Duty greatly enhances opportunities for promotion. Many senior noncommissioned officers are former drill sergeants. To learn more about becoming a drill sergeant with the Army Reserve contact the 108th Training Command (IET), Charlotte, N.C. @ [phone] Ext. 4214/2836 or email: [e-mail] or Internet: https://www.us.army.mil/suite/page/593383.

• Date Taken: 10.29.2014
• Date Posted: 10.31.2014 09:09
• Story ID: 146661
• Location: FORT JACKSON, SC, US