According to a news release, “through the four-day event, Drill Sergeant Leader Kline endured a formal board, where she was required to answer questions pertaining to her everyday life of a Drill Sergeant and Non Commissioned Officer and perform tasks in front of Nominative Command Sergeants Major.”

She was also tested on her knowledge by memorizing and teaching 36 classes, covering physical readiness training, tactical classes and movements, rifle marksmanship and other topics.

“Following taking the Army Combat Fitness Test, Drill Sergeant Leader Kline ‘rucked’ a total of 17.5 miles over a span of three days with a combat load of seven magazines around her waist, a ruck with 35 pounds on her back, and her assigned primary weapon — an M4 series carbine,” the news release said. “She took on two obstacle courses that tested her mobility to endure obstacles as a soldier, from height of obstacles, to obstacles that required her ultimate strength to get through.”

Kline was also tested on her skills as a marksman, with limited rounds to group and zero a random weapon, that she would then use to qualify during her qualification table. With a map, compass and protractor, she maneuvered throughout a land navigation course at South Carolina’s Fort Jackson by foot to find five points.

The four-day event finished with a 10-mile ruck march, leading into “Battle, March and Shoot,” which the news release said is a stress shoot due to the distance participants must walk with a heavy load on their backs, a series of exercises after crossing the finish line, and shooting assigned weapons that requires participants to hit pop-up targets in limited amount of time while transitioning to different fighting positions.

“I had other plans this year to try and go on a trip to Colombia with The Drill Sergeant Academy to build our relationship with the Colombian Army,” Kline said, according to the news release. “We are the only Drill Sergeant Academy in the Army, therefore not only do we train America’s sons and daughters to become drill sergeants, but as well as foreign armies like Brazil, South Korea, Colombia, etc. However, due to a change of plans, the trip ended up being canceled and the competition doors were open. I always made it a goal of mine to get out of my comfort zone and take on new challenges, so if one door is closing why not walk through the one that is open.”

Kline said competing for Drill Sergeant of the Year “was something I always had on my mind and heart, so I felt this was a sign as I was rounding my final year on the ‘trail.'”

Kline shared her appreciation for the support she received from her First Sergeant, 1SG Alexander Rivera, and her teammates in the 3rd Platoon.

“I think the bigger picture for wanting to compete was for my trainees while I served as a Drill Sergeant on the trail at the 3rd Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment, as well as my Drill Sergeant Candidates while serving as a Drill Sergeant Leader at The United States Army Drill Sergeant Academy,” Kline said, according to the news release.

As the Drill Sergeant of the Year, “I could be an influence of positive change in today’s Initial Entry Training and Drill Sergeant Program, and help drive home the importance of treating all trainees and soldiers with dignity and respect,” she said. “As a female 92G (Culinary Specialist), I wanted to also open the eyes of others and influence young soldiers, that you don’t always have to be in a Combat Military Occupation Specialty to win things. You don’t have to be the stereotype that people believe. I’m extremely honored to hold this position and look forward to being the influence for young men and women.”

Kline will compete for the title of the 2025 United States Army Drill Sergeant of the Year in September of this year.