Drill Sergeant

[JBfox]

Hello, Everyone

 So I know we've got quite a large portion of military experience here, and I'd love some feed back. Right now I have a little over six months left in my contract, and the Army just dropped DS school orders in my lap. I was considering reenlisting, but this school is now my only option. I'm really unsure of what to do here. So some things i'm taking into making this decision are: My MOS reenlistment bonus right now is giant, Tier 7, which is something like 30k for three years at my rank; I'm currently E5 promotable, you need the next level NCO academy in order to get promoted now, and I probably won't be able to get that till next year; DS generally has a two year commitment to it now, I'm 23 days into HRT, medical is and most likely still will continue to be fully covered, but a good portion of transition will be while I'm on this assignment; I don't necessarily have a plan if I get out, I only have HS education, and not a lot of prior job experience; I could go back to school, but I'm having issues deciding on what to study into; I'm worried about employment if I get out, if school pans out it'll cover some financial issues with the Post 9/11 GI bill, but that might not necessarily be enough; Medical outside the army, I'm 25, and I'd turn 26 not long after my ETS date, can't really ride on parents, the VA is kinda an option.

 If anyone has any prior experience as a DS/DI I'd like to know what you thought about it, and I'd like to hear about what some of you would do if you found yourself in my shoes. Thank you for your time reading this and for future replies. Hope you all have a great day.

~JB

[Briana]

Wow!  You've got a lot to think about.  Lot's of options with opportunity.  I'm glad you're thinking about employment when you get out.  Far too many don't and find their career/job opportunities limited.  One thing you can do is make a simple list of the things you like to do or are interested in vs. the things you don't like to do or aren't really interested in.  Based on that list of things that you like, you can start to develop a list of possible career choices.    i.e. Like working with people or helping people --> health care careers like physical therapist, occupational therapist, nursing, physician assistant, x-ray technology, laboratory sciences etc.  Or the hospitality industry like hotel management etc.  Like computers and technology?  Desktop support, networking, programming, telephony, design, etc.

Something to think about when considering school.  College isn't for everyone and a college degree doesn't mean success.  Ask any psychology, sociology, history, etc. major.  Skilled trade programs can be just the ticket.  Look at that list of things you like to do. You like building things, tinkering, fixing things etc.?  Construction trades, construction project manager, HAVAC technology, automotive technology, electronics, etc.  I have a friend that went into automotive technology, got her program degree from a JC, got further training from Ford and is making great money.  More than if she had done most any 4 year traditional college program  in psychology, English, gen ed, etc. 

Ok, VA healthcare...  It's not awful but it sure could be better.  And it seems to depend on where you live.  I've done it in two different states and the process similarities are there...but I've also noticed some considerable differences approaches to various services.  I guess you could say that just like with civilian healthcare, regional differences do apply.  

I believe there is at least one if not more that were former DS/DIs on this forum.  They can better answer that.  In general, you have to ask yourself, is that what you want to do?  If you do go that direction, just please don't yell at me.  I've had enough yelling for a lifetime and then some.  I'll do what ever is commanded, just ask.  <wink>  LOL  :-)

[danats2]

I did my two years as a Drill Sergeant and I have to be honest with you it was the worst job I've ever had. That being said if you are selected and fail to graduate or don't successfully complete your two years it's almost certain Army career death. I was Infantry 11M4X.  At least it was before I retired in 2000. The QMP then was relentless. But that was a long time ago and it was still run by Dinosaurs. Now it's ok to be LBGTQ from what I understand. Maybe your transition could get you disqualified without hurting your career. In my days my friends would have probably killed me it they new the truth / the real me! And the Army would have discharged me if I survived long enough. Times have changed! Life is short! LIve your life NOW!

[danats2]

Sorry I forgot the re-up bonus! This would be my plan Do the best you can at DS, Re-up and take the money! Put it in the bank and also anything you can afford to put in with it! Keep going with your transition as far you can and maybe just maybe there will be a policy change and both of us can get SRS thru Tricare or Va for free. If not you'll have a good bit of $ for your surgeries cause they aint cheep!

Breast Aug = $6000

Face = $10,000

SRS = $20,000

[Guest LesleyAnne]

I really have to go along with danats2, She's been a DI, and that says quite a lot. She hated the job, and I can certainly understand that.... I hated my DI, but isn't that's the way it's supposed to be. He did teach me to duck when needed to without saying "what?". Thinking back he probably saved my sorry behind. I know it doesn't seem like it when you're miserable in a job, but two years is short relatively speaking. The bonus is pretty significant and I would be looking at that pretty seriously. Just as danats2 stated surgeries are not cheap! For me FFS has been priced at $28K (old and ugly has it's price :-). While doing your time, and that includes as a DI transition shouldn't get in the way. Changes aren't so severe that you can't disguise them if that concerns you. Transgender girls rarely get breast development over a 'B' cup. 

It's easy for me to say that I'd take the $30K re-up bonus since it's been so long ago for me to even remember my time in lol (got out in 1972), and time has a way to make you forget how miserable you were, but knowing what I know now, the money talks. Sorry, most of my decision would be based on that $30K. 

Again I think danats2 has a good handle on it, and I'd probably take her advice. 

Ultimately I think you'll make the best decision based on your personal goals. 

Thanks for your service girl :-)

Lesley

[StephanieVikingGirl]

I was an infantry sergeant, but I did socialize with some DIs back in BNOC phase two at Fort Indiantown Gap, PA, back in the Spring of '92.  They had plenty to complain about with the job, but heck light infantry isn't a walk in the park either.  However, like some others have noted, $30K for a re-up sounds hard to pass up.  I certainly am glad that the DOD has changed so much.  I could have served longer if transition was an option when I was in uniform.

hugs,

Stephanie

[JBfox]

 Thank you, everyone for your replies. I've had a hard time coming to a conclusion with this decision about this. It is a lot of money to pass up, and now that transition is being covered it makes it really tempting to just suck it up and stay in. I think my biggest issue still though is I don't think my heart is in it anymore. I feel worn down by the semantics of the organization, and If there's anything that's ever bothered me during my time in so far is when people are on that home stretch out. It's hard to work with people who don't want to be there. I wouldn't want to find myself in that position.

~jb

[Guest LesleyAnne]

That home stretch is what we used to call "short timers syndrome". 

I certainly empathize with your difficult decision. You're a soldier though, and I have complete confidence you'll make the right decision for you. :-) 

All the best to you. 

LA