Drill Sergeant - Army Strong Stories

So There is More to Social Media than Facebook? Apparently So! And the Army is Getting it Right.

Levi Peffer — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 10:09:00 GMT

By: Levi Peffer
I think it’s fairly easy to see that the Army uses tools such as Facebook, Twitter, and ArmyStrongStories.com to help interact with potential recruits and help educate the everyday citizen of our country. I have come to see firsthand that this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the Army and how it uses social media in a variety of ways, most notably to reach potential recruits. The Army has leveraged these tools in garrison, operational environments, and...read more

Active Duty to Reserve Duty Part Deux... Tips

Levi Peffer — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:47:00 GMT

By: Levi Peffer
It’s been quite a while since I’ve blogged and life has changed quite a bit since then. Late last spring I left Active Duty (for the second time) and transitioned into an Army Reserve position near my hometown. My time at Fort Benning will definitely be looked back upon as one of the most fulfilling and rewarding experiences of my life. I made a lot of great friends, accomplished many goals, and hope that I trained a Soldier or two to standard while I was...read more

DSEP Fargo, ND

Robert Olson — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:17:41 GMT

By: Robert Olson
While in Fargo, ND it was -40 degrees, windy freezing week. But was a chilling experience. Currently in Springfield, MO training Army and Navy JROTC and Future Soldiers of America. Awesome experience!...read more

2012 All American Bowl

Robert Olson — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 01:14:00 GMT

By: Robert Olson
The all American bowl in San Antonio at the Alamodome was an experience of a lifetime. Check out army stories on your device to see upcoming events....read more

Steve Harvey Foundation Mentoring Weekend

Eddie Taylor — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 21:59:00 GMT

By: Eddie Taylor
I attended the Steve Harvey Foundation Mentoring Weekend and it really opened my eyes on why programs like this are needed. Young men from the ages of 13-18 years old were selected out of 4,000 applicants. 100 were selected for this special weekend with outstanding leaders throughout our communities. The army led the way with at least 20 different primary mentors, and one guest speaker. Looking at the look in some kids eyes, you felt the hunger of wanting guidance...read more

I Love Training Soldiers Everyday

Roslyn M. Robertson — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 00:27:00 GMT

By: Roslyn M. Robertson
...read more

Being A Drill Sergeant Is A Unique Opportunity

Jason Smith — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 01:22:00 GMT

By: Jason Smith
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NAACP convention in LA

Michael Grant — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 03:57:15 GMT

By: Michael Grant
Hello Drill Sergeant Grant here again. I'm currently down here in Los Angeles, CA at the NAACP convention. Which has been outstanding. The Army booth was open from the 23 till the 26th. We had a great time interacting with all of the participants there. Communicating about education, money for college and promoting officership in the minority arena. The military appreciation dinner was on Tuesday, the youth luncheon was yesterday and tonight is the culminating event. The presidents dinner. Its...read more

Red Bull Grand Prix MotoGP

Erika Watson — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 01:37:00 GMT

By: Erika Watson
Hey ya'll. It's been awhile since I have posted. I have completed my last event for the Drill Sergeant Exhibitor Program (DSEP). This event was super awesome. Drill Sergeant MacDougall and I went to support Monterey Bay Recruiting Company in Monterey, California with the 2011 Red Bull Grand Prix MotoGP held at Mazda Racceway Laguna SECA. Also there to support was the Army Multiple Exhibit Vehicle (MEV) and the Army Orange County Chopper bike. The Californians and other fellow...read more

2011 SKILLS USA, Kansas City, Missouri

Erika Watson — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 20:55:00 GMT

By: Erika Watson
Hello again…The lastest trip with some of the Drill Sergeants on the Exhibitor Program was to Kansas City, Missouri to participate in Skills USA. Here’s a little rundown on what this organization is. Skills USA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry representatives, working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. Skills USA is a national organization serving teachers and high school and college students who are preparing for careers in technical, skilled...read more

What kind of leader are you?!

Alec MacDougall — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 20:50:00 GMT

By: Alec MacDougall
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

AKO photo

Mark De La Cruz — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 20:48:00 GMT

By: Mark De La Cruz
Recently I completed an event in NY where I was asked to do some pull up and push up competitions and things of that nature. The PAO for the BN I was supporting was there obviously taking pictures and things. Come to find out, one of the photos the PAO took was of me doing push ups with some kids and the photo ended up on the AKO homepage. How did I find out about it? An entire slew of people from units I had been to around the Army saw me and decided to say something. The emails and phone...read more

My Army Uniform is a Symbol of Strength

Jason Smith — Tue, 31 May 2011 20:58:00 GMT

By: Jason Smith
A symbol of strength is what my Army uniform is to me. Each and every day that I’m fortunate enough to put it on, I transform from an ordinary American citizen to an extraordinary American patriot. I’ am overwhelmed with pride just knowing that every time I put my boots on, I step into a challenge that only a few are willing or able to take on. I jump into a world of opportunities whether it’s pursuing a strong education, or strengthening my leadership skills by...read more

Indianapolis 500

Alec MacDougall — Sun, 29 May 2011 20:50:00 GMT

By: Alec MacDougall
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

Indiana

Erika Watson — Mon, 23 May 2011 20:55:00 GMT

By: Erika Watson
Hello again, another Drill Sergeant Exhibitor Program trip complete. This trip I went to Indiana. The first couple of days were spent at Indianapolis Motor Speedway to support with Emerging Technologies. Also there was the Army action trailer which had the cool Xbox full of games. Army Strong setup was for Saturday and Sunday. Saturday was a well spent day. I had the chance of riding in an awesome car at about 120 mph on the track, of course with a qualified driver. That was the highlight of...read more

Be a Symbol of Strength

Alec MacDougall — Sat, 21 May 2011 20:52:00 GMT

By: Alec MacDougall
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

Solar power racing

Alec MacDougall — Thu, 12 May 2011 00:16:00 GMT

By: Alec MacDougall
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

Reenlist?

Alec MacDougall — Wed, 11 May 2011 20:54:00 GMT

By: Alec MacDougall
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

My Drill Sergeant Had An Impact On Me

Roslyn M. Robertson — Wed, 11 May 2011 02:00:00 GMT

By: Roslyn M. Robertson
...read more

Mental walls

Mark De La Cruz — Tue, 10 May 2011 20:48:00 GMT

By: Mark De La Cruz
I am apart of this Exhibitor Program where Drill Sergeants go around the country and talk to high schools and do different events so that people can get some exposure to what a Drill Sergeant is and does, because let's face it, if you don't live near a training post, you don't see us. It's an oustanding program that has really opened my eyes as far as where my trainees are coming from. One thing in particular that I've noticed are these mental walls that students/trainees...read more