Earn the Drill Sergeant Badge and Campaign Hat at the Drill Sergeant Academy, Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Nine weeks of leadership, training methodology, and physical readiness that transform NCOs into the Army's premier trainers.
The Academic Phase builds the doctrinal foundation every Drill Sergeant needs. Candidates study Army regulations governing Initial Entry Training, the training doctrine that governs how Soldiers are made, and the counseling techniques required to develop recruits.
Drill and ceremony mastery begins here — candidates must execute and teach every movement in TC 3-21.5 to standard. Voice projection and command presence are evaluated from Day One — if you cannot command a formation, you cannot be a Drill Sergeant.
Physical Readiness Training (PRT) methodology teaches candidates not just to be fit, but to train others using the Army's standardized physical training system. Written exams test doctrinal knowledge throughout this phase.
Practicum is where the classroom meets the training field. Candidates conduct actual BCT training events, running lanes, delivering classes, and leading physical training sessions as if they were already wearing the campaign hat.
Teaching ability is the core competency tested here. Candidates must deliver instruction to standard — clear, organized, and effective. If a recruit cannot learn from you, you are not a Drill Sergeant.
Candidates who cannot manage IET Soldiers, fail to maintain training schedules, or demonstrate poor leadership under pressure are identified and counseled. Peer evaluations add another layer of accountability.
The Validation Phase determines who earns the campaign hat and Drill Sergeant identification badge. Every skill learned in the first six weeks is tested under graded conditions — teaching, drill, PT leadership, and military knowledge.
The Commandant's Board is the culminating event. Candidates appear before senior cadre and must demonstrate their fitness, military knowledge, teaching ability, and readiness to assume the responsibilities of a Drill Sergeant.
Successful graduates earn the right to wear the iconic "brown round" and the Drill Sergeant identification badge — symbols of the Army's most visible and demanding leadership position in Initial Entry Training.
Winter at Fort Jackson is mild. Temperatures rarely drop below freezing for extended periods. Morning PT sessions can be chilly, but the moderate climate makes outdoor drill and physical training comfortable compared to northern posts.
Spring at Fort Jackson transitions quickly from pleasant to hot. March classes enjoy moderate weather, but by May the heat and humidity build rapidly. Candidates arriving in late spring should begin heat acclimatization before reporting.
Summer is the most physically punishing season at Fort Jackson. Brutal heat and humidity turn drill pads into furnaces. Candidates must project their voice for hours in sweltering conditions while maintaining impeccable bearing. Heat casualties are a constant threat.
Fall is the best season to attend DSA. Temperatures cool significantly from summer's extreme heat, humidity drops, and outdoor training conditions are ideal. Cool morning PT and comfortable afternoon drill sessions allow candidates to focus on performance rather than survival.
The Drill Sergeant Academy runs approximately 12 classes per fiscal year. Classes run year-round at Fort Jackson, SC. Source: TRADOC / Fort Jackson DSA.
| Class | Report Date | Graduation | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| DSA 01-26 | 06 Jan 2026 | 06 Mar 2026 | Winter |
| DSA 02-26 | 03 Feb 2026 | 03 Apr 2026 | Winter |
| DSA 03-26 | 03 Mar 2026 | 01 May 2026 | Spring |
| DSA 04-26 | 31 Mar 2026 | 29 May 2026 | Spring |
| DSA 05-26 | 28 Apr 2026 | 26 Jun 2026 | Spring |
| DSA 06-26 | 26 May 2026 | 24 Jul 2026 | Summer |
| DSA 07-26 | 23 Jun 2026 | 21 Aug 2026 | Summer |
| DSA 08-26 | 21 Jul 2026 | 18 Sep 2026 | Summer |
| DSA 09-26 | 18 Aug 2026 | 16 Oct 2026 | Fall |
| DSA 10-26 | 15 Sep 2026 | 13 Nov 2026 | Fall |
| DSA 11-26 | 13 Oct 2026 | 11 Dec 2026 | Fall |
| DSA 12-26 | 10 Nov 2026 | 08 Jan 2027 | Winter |
Academic failures, weak PT scores, and poor teaching evaluations end Drill Sergeant dreams. The Brown Round is earned, never given.
Every failure at DSA has a type. We built a fix for each one.
Command voice is non-negotiable. If a formation of 200 trainees can't hear you, you fail. Practice projecting from your diaphragm until it's second nature.
Drill Sergeants lead from the front. If you can't outperform your trainees on every ACFT event, you have no business wearing the hat. Get your score up now.
DSA is a teaching school. You must deliver clear, organized instruction that Soldiers can learn from. If you can't break down a task and teach it step-by-step, start practicing now.
Every day as a Drill Sergeant is public speaking. Formations, classes, counseling sessions — you are always on stage. Overcome it before you arrive.
AR 350-1, TR 350-6, TC 3-21.5 — you will be tested on these. Showing up without studying the doctrine is a fast path to academic failure.
Bearing, confidence, and discipline are evaluated constantly. A Drill Sergeant commands respect through presence alone. If you don't have it, develop it.
Key Takeaway: The Drill Sergeant Academy tests your ability to teach, lead, and maintain standards — not just your physical fitness. Arrive knowing the doctrine, ready to teach on your feet, and physically prepared to lead from the front every single day.
The Drill Sergeant Creed
I am a Drill Sergeant. I will assist each individual in their efforts to become a highly motivated, well-disciplined, physically and mentally fit Soldier, capable of defeating any enemy on today's modern battlefield.
I will instill pride in all I train. Pride in self, in the Army, and in Country. I will insist that each Soldier meets and maintains the Army's standards of military bearing and courtesy, consistent with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army.
I will lead by example, never requiring a Soldier to attempt any task I would not do myself. But first, last, and always, I am an American Soldier. Sworn to defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, both foreign and domestic.
I am a Drill Sergeant.
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