I have lots of questions and need some answers. My husband (USAR) is leaving for WLC (FT. McCoy) this week and will return in two weeks. From there he will have 2 weeks at home and then will be going to Drill Sgt. School (Ft. Knox). What can I expect while he is gone? I have heard a lot of conflicting stories. Such as- there is no contact except for letters, they can/can’t have their cell phones or laptops, they have weekends off to go and do as they please on and off post, they stay in hotels off base (he isn’t taking a POV), and that graduation from Drill Sgt School is informal and they is really no need for family to be there. If there are any wives or soldiers that can give me some accurate answers I would greatly appreciate it.

Is he going to the Reserve DS School for 2 weeks or the real deal?

He is in WLC for 2 weeks now, then he is heading to Knox for 8 weeks for Drill Sgt School.

I know that the Drill Sergeant Schools will be consolidating into one school at Ft. Jackson soon.

Drill Sergeant school does not treat individuals like newby Privates. All DS Candidates are highly qualified NCOs and are treated as such.

There is a lot of studying. Giving presentations/lectures to a wall or tree.

Having the POV is a need at most of these schools, unless he has someone else to depend on.
That is not always a good thing.

Wow, living in a hotel. I wonder how he is going to have inspections to prove he knows how a wall locker and bed is to be made.

Graduation is a big thing.
Going under the hat and pinning on that badge is something to be proud of.

He may not have been communicating with the right people on this matter.

Which Training Division is he joining?

I wish he would go to Jackson rather than Knox, simply because it's an hour away verses 10 hours to Knox. But he wants to go as quick as possible so he can pick up a slot in April 2010 as a Drill Sgt at Jackson. He can't take a POV due to us only have one truck. I'm sorry I am still new to this Drill Sgt wife thing, do you mean the unit he is with now as a reservist or something else entirely different.

OK I am getting confused.
Is he going full active or is he staying in a Reserve unit?
I was in the 108th Division that covered the Carolinas and Georgia. Ft. Jackson is now the Division's area of assignment and rotate in for annual training every year.
But, only in 15 day shifts.

Sorry about the one car deal.
That sucks.
If I had an extra, I would say, come up to Easley and borrow it.

He is in the 98th, but don't they fall with the 108th? He is staying reserve until April 2011. But he was told that he can take a Drill Sgt slot at Jackson for a full year starting April.

I just signed up and found this, so I'm sorry for the delay! My husband is at Jackson for DS School right now. Hmm, where to start. It's a 9 week long school. They encourage them to take their laptops, so mine did, as well as his cell phone and POV. I would suggest yours take his too for those times that he does have off so he doesn't have to depend on others. I've gotten calls almost every night. The nights he hasn't called me are usually those that are at the end of a day that started at 3am and didn't end until 8pm or later and he had to study or prepare for the next day. As for staying in a hotel off post.. Mine is staying in a hotel on post, paying month by month, but we'll be reimbursed a few weeks after he gets home. We've had friends go through the school too who were also staying on post. I imagine the only time he would have to stay off post would be if they didn't have a room available. He has Sundays off, Saturdays are not a guarantee as they can and often do work them 6 days a week. It's hard and the days are definitely long, not to mention them being gone, but if you've already experienced a deployment, 9 weeks is a walk in the park.

My husband was DA selected as an E5 for DS School and he's doing a fantastic job down there. It's a huge opportunity for an NCO and I'm happy he's been given the chance to do something he's really wanted to do. We're two weeks from graduation and I can see myself bursting with pride when he officially receives his hat and badge.

My boyfriend is leaving for Drill Sergeant school at Fort Jackson in June. He is currently deployed to Afghanistan and due back to the States in Jan 2010. I know he will have long hours, but I want to know what I can expect as far as any time off or visits. We are discussing a future together and I am well aware I will bear the burden of running the household and future family. I am independent and do all of that now. He wants to get married, but I am having a hard time seeing where that would fit in. Is this a 2 year stint with an option for another year, or is it 3 years? The silver lining is that it is temporary and I can certainly deal with that. We have survived deployment well and will have been together for 2 years prior to his departure for DSS. Any help or advice would be GREATLY appreciated. I worked for the Army for 2 years as a contractor, so I am not new to the Army life. I am well aware of the resources available to Army spouses and family, so I know I will have to do a lot of the 'discovery' on my own.