Best Drill Sergeants at company/battalion level

[nrandolph]

Folks,

Often we discuss how important drill is, I rant about it on our WV newsletter nearly every other month. But before I digress, I was wondering whom you've encountered or worked with, that runs the best drill and maybe you could give an example of their teaching? I'm curious about those that absolutely insist on doing it until it's right (i.e. hand position, foot placement, step size, clean execution). Hopefully this might stimulate some discussion on an important subject.

Thanks,
Neil Randolph
1st WV

[lukegilly13]

Re: Best Drill Sergeants at company/battalion level

I have to say that Chad Wrinn of the Breckinridge Grays performed a drill at Morgan's Raid that was beyond a shadow of a doubt the best I have ever been through. When asked to handle skirmishers, Chad instructed our mess (including 2 soldiers who had never reenacted before) on the proper procedure of obtaining the correct space between each soldier and how to change that space under fire. He created a drill to take us from a column of 2's to the proper formation for skirmishers. We went through the drill only twice and performed it near perfection during the battle. I had never seen this proceedure carried out correctly and of course we impressed several commanders. Send him a PM if you want!

[Dan Wambaugh]

Re: Best Drill Sergeants at company/battalion level

Neil,

Matt Caldwell is one of the best I've worked with. Years ago when I was very wet behind the ears Matt ran a quick drill session as a one day prove out march and the lessons he taught, and more importantly the way he taught them really stuck with me. A couple of weeks after that I got a call from one of my unit members saying that the Captain and 1st Sergeant resigned and would I take the 1st Sergeant's spot, I said yes and then he went on to say "Great! Now you'll need to plan our camp of instruction next weekend!" All I could think to do is imitate Matt that weekend and it went off wonderfully.

Of course, being the jerk I am I've never thanked Matt for that or said anything to him directly. :) But thanks to him I got started on a path to my favorite time I spent in this hobby, and my favorite role of drill instructor. Thanks Matt!


Best,

Dan

[JustRob]

Re: Best Drill Sergeants at company/battalion level

We had a First Sergeant in 69th NYSV, Co. A who memorized the School of the Soldier.

As a result, he could recite the movements using the correct terminology, rather than say, "grab your gun here and move it here."

[RJSamp]

Re: Best Drill Sergeants at company/battalion level

Don't know if they get any better than John Wedeward, 33rd Wisconsin. doesn't matter if it's a squad, company, or battalion......breaks it down to the very simple elements and then takes baby steps from the basics.....

[Gallo de Cielo]

Re: Best Drill Sergeants at company/battalion level

Wesley Crisp, Brian "Gunny" Hicks, and Adam "OX" Johnson get my votes.

(Can't get an image of Mr. Hicks to load- I know others can assist).

[BrianHicks]

Re: Best Drill Sergeants at company/battalion level

I don't rightly know that my name should be associated with this particular thread, especially if Drill competency is the primary consideration, among all period skills of the Senior NCO, Drill is what I personally consider one of my greater challenges to get right. But Fred, I appreciate the consideration and hope to see you again in the Piney Woods.

[Mark Susnis]

Re: Best Drill Sergeants at company/battalion level

My vote goes for guys like Troy Cool, Samuel Cathey, and John Stillwagon of Southern Guard fame...

v/r
Mark Susnis

[HOG.EYE.MAN]

Re: Best Drill Sergeants at company/battalion level

My vote goes for guys like Troy Cool, Samuel Cathey, and John Stillwagon of Southern Guard fame...

v/r
Mark Susnis

Mark... I agree.

At a group level, I would vote for the many talented members of the Mudsills who were the best I ever saw. Goose bumps every time.

[Strawfoot]

Re: Best Drill Sergeants at company/battalion level

Best drill sergeant I ever seen in my life was Steve Hansen of the 2nd/4th US, Sykes Regulars, National Regiment. Runyon's pretty good, so's Mark Mason. Sgt Major? Probably Mr. Hicks, but my sentimental vote is Wesley Crisp. You didn't ever want to piss off Wesley.

Line Officer? Hit the field with some pretty good ones... Calloway, Butler, Don Rivera of Sykes Regulars, Smotherman, Cal Kinzer is a class act. Nate Petersburg is a beast.

Field officers would undoubtedly be Mark Griffin of the Red River Bttn, Pat Craddock, and guys like Dom or Silas, who write novels on the stuff. Chad Greene knows his battalion drill. The drill he conducted at Perryville in both in 2001 (on a 100 man company level) and 2002 (175 man battalion level) was some of the best I've been a part of, ever.

Needless to say, I love drill.

Mike Phineas
Arlington, TX

[Boy of '61]

Re: Best Drill Sergeants at company/battalion level

Sergeants I would have to say Nate Dapper and Andy Willenbring (especially Andy for knowing the drill) from the Co. A 1st Minn. Line Officer I would say Tom Shaw also from the 1st. Field officers I would have to say Rob Murray and Jim Moffet of the Western Brigade.

[fedcampaigner]

Re: Best Drill Sergeants at company/battalion level

Unfortunantly, I have not had the pleasure of meeting the men listed above. Being on the west coast makes it hard to make it to the better events in the east. However, I do have to mention one of the best battalion commanders: John R. Kalleen. Not only a good friend but one hell of a tactician and a great leader.

[Cincinnati Rebel]

Re: Best Drill Sergeants at company/battalion level

At the company level, the best sergeant in conducting drill I have ever seen/worked with is Chad Wrinn. He has a knack for covering all the basics, and getting (properly done) complicated maneuvers out of a unit without taking an ungodly amout of time to do so, even with a number of recruits in the ranks.
CW, your skirmish drill on the mountain & at Georgetown was top notch. Never seen all of it done right, or with such precision.

[Rmhisteach]

Re: Best Drill Sergeants at company/battalion level

Pards And comrades,

These are fellas who have taught me an aweful lot and are good men to boot.

Nick Medich

Mark Hidlebaugh

Steve Acker

Terry Sorchy


RM

[Coatsy]

Re: Best Drill Sergeants at company/battalion level

Jeff Grantham of my old group, the evil, mean, hardcore, Co G 10th Texas Infantry was the Southern Counterpart to Mr. Rob Carter's entry. Grantham, an engineer by trade, memorized Hardee's and could cite it as a preacher cites the bible. Jeff really hammered S.o.t.S. and S.o.t.C into my grey matter.

Kiev Thomason, Eric Gott, and Gunny Hicks are the other constant orderlys from my reenacting time span that are top notch, know their drill, AND know how to run a company of weekend warriors in a manner that is befitting the Boys of 61 to 65.

At Sgt Major, Gunny Hicks is the top choice.

At the company commander level the Captain of the Ram-Rods, Nate Petersburg is tops. So are Robby Mitchell and Tripp Corbin. Both men know skirmish drill, platoon drill, and overall battalion drill well. Also Jesse Bailey of the old 10th Texas new his stuff as well. He was a great company commander to have as a newb.

At battalion level Hunter Poythress of the GVB is THE BEST. That man knows drill. And he explains it in a way that even the greenest Newbie gets it.

Finally.... Craddock. I don't even need to go into detail.