---
title: "11 things screaming drill sergeants are actually thinking"
date: "2018-07-11"
modified: "2020-10-22"
authors:
  - name: "Logan Nye"
    job_title: "Senior Contributor, Army Veteran"
    link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/logan-nye/"
url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/military-life/screaming-drill-sergeants-actually-thinking/"
categories:
  - "Basic Training"
  - "Join the Military"
---

# 11 things screaming drill sergeants are actually thinking

![](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17318965/origin.jpg>)

In spite of their manner, most drill sergeants (and drill instructors, and training instructors, etc.) don't actually hate troops.

---

It's all part of teaching recruits how to survive in the military. So, if they're not blacked out on hate when yelling at trainees, what are training NCOs actually thinking about?

### 11. The most ridiculous stuff they could make you do.

![](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17249770/origin.jpg>)
*Original photo: US Army David Dismukes*

### 10. How bad they smell.

![](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17249773/origin.jpg>)
*Original photo: US Marine Corps Sgt. Reece Lodder*

### 9. ...or how stupid they are much work they still need.

![](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17249774/origin.jpg>)
*Original photo: US Army Staff Sgt. Michael Oliver*

### 8. Maybe they're thinking about doctrinal changes, like having to teach Coast Guardsmen the "Guardian's Creed."

![](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17249775/origin.jpg>)
*Original photo: US Coast Guard Tom Sperduto*

### 7. Drill sergeants count down to the end of basic training too, but the countdowns go for years.

![](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17249777/origin.jpg>)
*Original photo: US Army*

### 6. It's hard to deal with new seamen without a warm cup o' joe.

![](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17249779/origin.jpg>)
*Original photo: US Navy Journalist 1st Class Preston Keres*

### 5. It's even worse for instructors' training officers.

![](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17249781/origin.jpg>)
*Original photo: Minnesota National Guard*

### 4. They may not be angry at recruits, but they're still looking for excuses to yell. Nothing a recruit can do will save them.

![](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17249783/origin.jpg>)
*Original photo: US Marine Corps*

### 3. Sometimes, the instructor is getting over a hangover. Recruits shouldn't yell their responses during this period.

![](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17249786/origin.jpg>)
*Original photo: US Marine Corps Sgt. Reece Lodder*

### 2. Often, they're just tired of seeing your despair.

![](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17249789/origin.jpg>)
*Original photo: US Army Sgt. Javier Amador*

### 1. They want to break up their boredom, maybe by giving the unit impossible or confusing drill commands.

![](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17249791/origin.jpg>)
*Original photo: US Air force Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo*

## Author
Logan was an Army journalist and paratrooper in the 82nd. Now, he's a freelance writer covering military history, culture, and technology. He has two upcoming podcasts and a Twitch channel focused on basic military literacy.

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/JustLoganNye>)  
[Facebook](<https://www.facebook.com/ProfHarlequin-111921498198749>)