June 26, 2012
By Stephanie Slater, TRADOC
FORT EUSTIS, Va. — Six of the U.S. Army’s best drill sergeants began vying for the title of 2012 Army Drill Sergeant of the Year, today at Fort Eustis, Va.
Four competitors from the active component and two competitors from the reserve component will endure physical and mental challenges during the four-day competition, which tests their knowledge of Warrior Tasks and Battle Drills and their ability to teach these tasks to new Soldiers.
The competition is hosted by Initial Military Training, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command.
On their first day, the drill sergeants were first assessed on their ability to demonstrate and instruct urban orienteering, such as clinches in combatives and correct actions to take in response to a role-playing Soldier suspected as suicidal. A second round of assessments included tests on drill and ceremony movements and providing care under fire.
The active and reserve Drill Sergeants of the Year will be announced during a ceremony June 29.