Drill Sergeants Debunk Myths
April 09, 2009
Army News Service
For years Hollywood has presented Army drill sergeants as gruff, in-your-face, yelling, and spitting Mad Max machines. And perhaps once-upon-a-time its stories portrayed an image that was partly deserved.
But like all stories that include once-upon-a-times, this one too has more than one version.
"I think the biggest misconception about drill sergeants is that we are paid (to be) mean--which completely isn't true," said Staff Sgt. Stephanie Rodriguez, a drill sergeant from Fort Jackson S.C. "It's more of a tough love-type story.
There is a time for discipline and a time for praise, and where I am from, everyone gets both."
Rodriguez, who was originally a chemical operations specialist, said that her main role as a drill sergeant is as a mentor.