Advanced Individual Training platoon sergeants were

United States Army The United States Army (USA) is the primary Land warfare, land service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is designated as the Army of the United States in the United States Constitution.Article II, section 2, clause 1 of th ...

non-commissioned officers A non-commissioned officer (NCO) is an enlisted rank, enlisted leader, petty officer, or in some cases warrant officer, who does not hold a Commission (document), commission. Non-commissioned officers usually earn their position of authority b ...

(NCOs) responsible for the health, welfare, mentoring, disciplining, physical fitness, and "Warrior-Task" training of soldiers attending

Advanced Individual Training United States Army Basic Combat Training (BCT) is the recruit training program of the United States Army, for service in the U.S. Army, U.S. Army Reserve, or the Army National Guard. Some trainees attend basic combat training along with their ...

(AIT) after having graduated

Basic Combat Training Military recruit training, commonly known as basic training or boot camp, refers to the initial instruction of new military personnel. It is a physically and psychologically intensive process, which resocializes its subjects for the unique dema ...

(BCT). NCOs in the enlisted grades of E-6 or E-7 were assigned as AIT platoon sergeants and incurred a minimum 24-month tour of duty. AIT platoon sergeants replaced Army

drill sergeants A drill instructor is a non-commissioned officer in the armed forces, fire department, or police forces with specific duties that vary by country. Foot drill, military step, and marching are typically taught by drill instructors. Australia Aust ...

(who previously were responsible for soldiers attending both BCT and AIT) during a transitional period from 2007 to 2008. The program was discontinued in 2018 and drill sergeants returned to AIT.

History

On July 31, 2007, the AIT platoon sergeant program was initiated. Prior to this,

were responsible for managing AIT soldiers. The Army replaced AIT drill sergeants as a way of allowing AIT instructors to serve in leadership roles as squad leaders, further enabling the platoon sergeant to manage the platoon in the same manner he or she would in an operational unit. It also allowed soldiers to feel more comfortable addressing both personal and professional issues with the platoon sergeant. The Army believed that the intimidating leadership style of Army drill sergeants seemed better-suited for developing new recruits in BCT. AIT platoon sergeants did not wear the signature

campaign hat A campaign hat, sometimes called campaign cover, is a broad-brimmed felt or straw hat, with a high crown, pinched symmetrically at the four corners. The campaign hat is occasionally referred to as a Stetson, derived from its origin in the company ...

that their predecessor drill sergeants wore. Pilot programs for the position were tested at Fort Lee, VA; Fort Bliss, TX; and Fort Jackson, SC. Platoon sergeants were replaced in 2018, with the Army indicating that platoon sergeants were not respected in the same manner that drill sergeants were. Serving platoon sergeants were "converted" into drill sergeants, earning the right to wear the campaign hat and

Drill Sergeant Identification Badge The U.S. military issues instructor badges to specially training military personnel who are charged with teaching military recruits the skills they need to perform as members of the U.S. Armed Forces or teach continuing education courses for non- ...

via a 10-day "conversion" course.

Training

The AIT platoon sergeant course was a six-week school taught at the U.S. Army Drill Sergeant Academy, Fort Jackson, SC. The course was the first six-weeks of the U.S. Army Drill Sergeant Course, with AIT platoon sergeant candidates training alongside drill sergeant candidates. NCOs were trained on the following course modules: * Applying TRADOC's Training Guidance & Investment Strategy * Effectively Educate and Train as IET Leaders * Enforce Wellness and Fitness in AIT * Demonstrate Competency in Warrior Tasks and Battle Drills * Lead squad /platoon size elements in AIT * Manage and mitigate risks by using the Composite Risk Management * Differentiate IET components and utilize support systems in producing quality Soldiers Candidates were assigned the Skill Qualification Identifier of 'Y' upon successful completion of the course After the platoon sergeant program ended in 2018, all BCT or AIT drill sergeants attend the identical drill sergeant course, still located at the U.S. Army Drill Sergeant Academy. Both BCT and AIT drill sergeants are assigned the "H" Skill Qualification Identifier.

References

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