How to Get on a Drill Instructors (Sergeants) Good Side By Michael Volkin * Is it possible to never get yelled at or punished by a drill instructor (DI) in basic training?
The simple answer to that question would be “no”. However, there are ways to minimize that “special attention” drill instructors like to give recruits. The first aspect of avoiding unwanted criticisms is to come to basic training prepared. You have to know what to expect from your DI and more importantly know what a DI expect from you. I talk about this at length in my book The Ultimate Basic Training Guidebook, but I will re-cap some important points for you here. Remember, the job of a DI is to break you down as a civilian and build you up into a soldier. That is a tall order, and these DI’s only have a couple months to accomplish this task. It is important to understand that DI’s do not hate you personally. If they call you a name, just let it roll off your back. This might seem like simple advice, but I have seen many recruits have their spirits broken by mere words. Undoubtedly there will be recruits going through basic training with you that think they know how to handle any situ
