Just a few days ago I received the following message that really made me feel proud. "Drill sergeant macdougall! I never got the chance to thank you after graduation for being such a great instructor and leader! I know I wasn't the best in basic but I am here at Fort Bragg now and just keepin after it and team leaders and such say that I'm one of the best in the platoon and they wish they could have at least one squad full of guys like me.....and I tell them its cuz of 2...read more

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Over the past three days Indianapolis has been a mad house with anticipation of the Indy 500. This is the largest race event in the United States drawing in about 400,000 spectators this year. CRAZINESS!! My hotel was about five miles from the track and it took over four hours to get there, and I took off at 4am. The following that this sport has just astounds me. I participate in NHRA Top Fuel events as well as NASCAR and they have nothing on this. I can honestly say that one...read more

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Over my last eight years in the Army I have learned an insurmountable number of things. From the skills I gained during BCT, AIT, specialized schools, college, or on the job training, I have found none that are more rewarding than training a young Soldier. I can remember looking at my Drill Sergeants many years ago and hoping that one day I would be able to emulate their professionalism and life knowledge. They were like a pot of gold that couldn't be tarnished. Their word was law...read more

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This past week I traveled to Orlando where I was at the national DECA convention. After that concluded I headed 80 miles down the road to Lakeside where I got to spend the day with three JROTC classes. Over the peroid of an hour we had the opportunity to talk about military customs, bearing, and all the advantages of joining the military. My battle buddy DS Raby even gave them a taste of how a DS is in their natural environment. I think some of the kids actually got scared for a moment....it...read more

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So It has come to that time again....the decision to stay in or get out. When I began to think about my options for a mid-career enlistment I realized it wasn't much of a choice at all. I am currently 25 years old, deployed multiple times, been to countless military schools, attend college, own two vehicles, own a house, have full health coverage, free gym membership, don't have to pay state taxes, get a discount at Lowes (my favorite perk of all), have a steady income, get to travel...read more

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Hey readers! I am at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando Florida for the National DECA convention. The Army has a booth set up to not only test the mental strength of the Students but also their physical capabilities. They are here to compete against students from all across the country. In the Army zone we are explaining the countless opportunities our military offers to civilians that want to be a part of an all volunteer Army. Its amazing how motivated some of these kids are to...read more

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A Drill Sergeant in Minnesota?!?! You bet! As a member of the Drill Sergeant Exhibitor Program I spent last week in the frigid cold north conducting PT with a few high schools around the state. And let me begin by saying the Minnesota has the physical education program figured out. There were a few class I had that were equipped with heart monitors. Students could track their progress through out the school year and see how various exercises affected them. As a physically fit Soldier I...read more

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In mid Feburary I was selected to be a member of the Drill Sergeant Exhibitor Program. If you ask most Drill sergeants about this program they probably wouldn't be able to describe what this job entails. I am one of seven Soldiers in the entire Army who is currently participating in this program. So what is this great job your probably asking. I basically travel around the country and tell high school students, adults, seniors, and anyone who is interested in listening, my...read more

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