DVIDS – News – Army Reserve Drill Sergeants and Fathers

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Drill Sergeants hold one of the core jobs of the military: to train soldiers who will serve as defenders of the country and future leaders. They are central to initial US Army entry training.

While it’s true that an Army drill sergeant spends long hours training and motivating civilians to become combat-ready soldiers, many agree it’s a rewarding career, explained 1st Sgt. Carlos Declet.

Both 1st Sgt. Declet and Staff Sgt. Hector Burgos, of the 1st Battalion, 389th Regiment, U.S. Army Reserve in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, shares the same military profession and is also a father.

“Being a drill sergeant is very demanding, but the memories and the love you get out of it are endless,” said the proud 1st Sgt. Declet. “I never ask people to do anything I don’t want to do; the same goes for my child.”

1st sergeant. Declet has a son named Carlos Manuel Declet Claudio, 8, who instills discipline with simple chores like tidying his bed and room. “How should your room be all the time? he asked his son during this interview. “Clean like yours,” answered Declet Claudio.

In the army, his role makes him a mentor for many soldiers, but he is aware that his son, Declet Claudio, also sees him as an example to follow.

The most important thing when you’re mentoring someone is trust and patience because people don’t necessarily instantly understand what you’re saying or teaching, said 1st Sgt. Declet. “My son thinks I know everything and imitates everything I do.”

On the other hand, Staff Sgt. Burgos is the father of a daughter named Amaia Isabelle Burgos Aleman, 6, and he says he enjoys every moment with her.

“A month after he was born, I was deployed to the Middle East and it was a difficult time for me, then when I returned a month later, I was again activated to provide support to the civil authorities. to carry out humanitarian missions,” the staff said. sergeant. Burgos.

Before becoming a drill sergeant, Staff Sgt. Burgos belonged to the 471st Engineering Company. In the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and María, Army Reserve soldiers supported the defense support of civil authorities in different areas of the island by clearing obstructed roads, delivering fuel to hospitals and assisting the local community.

“In 2021, I graduated from the army drill sergeant school because it was a personal goal that I always had in mind,” the staff sergeant said. Burgos. “I know my daughter is proud of me; she’s ‘daddy’s girl’ and I will always be there to guide her and teach her the values ​​of discipline and respect.”

Drill sergeant candidates attend Army Drill Seargent School in Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Since 2018, the 1st Battalion-389th Regiment has been under the 1st Mission Support Command.

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