drill sergeant
Boot camp authority
A drill sergeant is a noncommissioned officer who trains military recruits, known for intense physical conditioning and loud, aggressive instruction.
The term extends to anyone who pushes others with similar severity: My piano teacher was a real drill sergeant about scales.
The stereotype—shouting in recruits' faces, demanding perfection—makes it shorthand for harsh disciplinarians.
Initial military instruction program
- recruitNew member sought
- platoonSmall infantry formation
- barracksSoldiers' residential building
- infantryGround combat troops
formation · enlistment · uniform · regiment · company · brigade · basic training · cadence
Strict or ship's aft
- unyieldingRefusing to give way
- strictRigorous, without flexibility
- harshUnpleasantly severe or rough
- intimidatingInspiring fear or unease
demanding · uncompromising · imposing · authoritative · severe · rigid · grim · formidable
Instructions to obey
- shoutLoud vocal outburst
- barkSharp canine vocalization
- authorityPower to enforce obedience
- directUndeviating or to guide
instruct · demand · lead · control · oversee · bellowing · whistle · commands
Prescribed course of treatment
- structureArrangement of interconnected parts
- obedienceCompliance with authority
- punctualityBeing on time
- rulesPrinciples governing behavior
strictness · regulation · accountability · rigor · precision · correction · compliance · order
One who teaches skills
- mentorTrusted wisdom-giving advisor
- conditioningLearned behavioral adaptation
- physical fitnessBody's capacity for exertion
- enduranceSustained effort capacity
drills · exercises · repetition · fundamentals · teamwork · motivation · transformation · toughening
boot camp
Initial military instruction program
infantry · formation · enlistment · uniform · regiment · company · brigade · basic training · cadence · marching
stern
Strict or ship's aft
- unyieldingRefusing to give way
- strictRigorous, without flexibility
- harshUnpleasantly severe or rough
intimidating · demanding · uncompromising · imposing · authoritative · severe · rigid · grim · formidable · gruff
orders
Instructions to obey
direct · instruct · demand · lead · control · oversee · bellowing · whistle · commands · roll call
regimen
Prescribed course of treatment
- structureArrangement of interconnected parts
- obedienceCompliance with authority
- punctualityBeing on time
rules · strictness · regulation · accountability · rigor · precision · correction · compliance · order · punishment
instructor
One who teaches skills
- mentorTrusted wisdom-giving advisor
- conditioningLearned behavioral adaptation
- physical fitnessBody's capacity for exertion
endurance · drills · exercises · repetition · fundamentals · teamwork · motivation · transformation · toughening · indoctrination
- drill instructorsDI, boot camp instructor
- military trainersboot camp instructor, weapons trainer, training officer, flight instructor
- drill leadersDI, boot camp instructor
- militarysoldiers, army, troops, officers, navy
- boot campbasic training, recruits, formation, platoon, cadence
- military personnelsoldiers, soldier, midshipmen, officers, troops
drill sergeantencourager
One who heartens others
Mr. Rogers · life coach · therapist · kindergarten teacher · guidance counselor
drill sergeantraw recruit
Untrained new soldier
boot · trainee · civilian · four-star general · cadet
drill sergeantsoftie
Tenderhearted person
pushover · free spirit · hippie · enabler
drill, drilling, sergeant, drilled, sergeants, cordless drill, fire drill, redrilled, redrilling