Photo By Staff Sgt. Dana M Clarke | U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jake Mrzena from Class 12 of the Drill Sergeant Hall of Fame...... read more read more
FORT JACKSON, S.C. – Nine new faces will be enshrined on the walls of the U.S. Army Drill Sergeant Academy at Fort Jackson after being inducted into the Drill Sergeant Hall of Fame in a ceremony September 18, 2025.
“The most pivotal point of every DS career is their time served on the trail as a Drill Sergeant. The one person whom every individual who serves within the Army clearly remembers is their Drill Sergeant”, said Command Sgt. Maj. (R), Thomas Campbell, co-founder of the U.S. Army Drill Sergeant Association. “It's an honor to recognize the individuals who have had a massive impact on the continued improvement of the Drill Sergeant Program by inducting them into the Hall of Fame, where their names and faces will be seen by all future Drill Sergeants, along with their contributions to the Drill Sergeant community that they’re entering into.”
The induction ceremony, which coincided with the annual U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserve Drill Sergeant of the Year Competition, emphasized the academy's evolution since its founding. Since its establishment in 1964, the Drill Sergeant has been a pillar of excellence for the Army’s next generation of American warfighters.
“My time on the trail, from Fort Benning to the Drill Sergeant Academy and concluding at the Center for Initial Military Training, has been the most impactful and memorable of my career to date”, said Sgt. 1st Class Jake Mrzena, the 2024 U.S. Army Reserve Drill Sergeant of the Year. “Being inducted alongside these legends within the Drill Sergeant community means a lot. I’m grateful to the Association for believing my contributions were equal to this great honor”.
This induction ceremony was one of the most significant to date, with inductees coming from currently serving Soldiers and civilians, to retirees and Medal of Honor recipients
being recognized for their service and support to the Army’s Drill Sergeant program.
Inductees included:
• Lt. Col. (R) Harold Nobles for his service within the Army as a member of the initial Drill Sergeant pilot program, before commissioning, and continued service to advancing the Drill Sergeant Program while both in and out of uniform.
• Command Sgt. Maj. (R) William Payne for his exceptional service as the Commandant of the 108th Training Division overseeing the Drill Sergeant School for the U.S. Army Reserve.
• Command Sgt. Maj. Joshua Bitle for his service serving has the Commandant of the U.S. Army Drill Sergeant Academy and the rapid transformation of Drill Sergeant Program of Instruction (POI) and standardization.
• Sgt. Maj. Andrew Palmer for his service while serving as the Deputy Commandant of the U.S. Army Drill Sergeant Academy where he created and validated updated Rifle Marksmanship POI for Drill Sergeant Candidates.
• Capt. (R) James Ross for his service as one of the first instructors for the Pilot Trainer Preparation Course in 1964 which was the Army’s initial Drill Sergeant Concept.
• 1st Sgt. (R) Robert Rose for his selfless service to the Drill Sergeant program, while serving in multiple positions, over a decade.
• Master Sgt. Christopher Adame for his service to the Drill Sergeant Program as he served in the position of Drill Sergeant Academy Chief of Training. Through this position Adame advised the course schedule with rapidly changing physical fitness standards and impacts from the coronavirus pandemic.
• Sgt. 1st Class Jake Mrzena for his continued service and dedication to the Drill Sergeant Program, culminating as the U.S. Army Reserve Drill Sergeant of the Year.
• Sgt 1st Class (R) James “Jim” Rose for his 45 years of service, both in and out of uniform, supporting the Drill Sergeant Program and Initial Military Training ecosystem.
“Its an honor to be inducted with these individuals, and an even larger honor to be inducted beside my brother”, said James “Jim” Rose. “Being part of the transformation of the Drill Sergeant Program since 1985, it means the world to be honored and have my photo hung on the walls besides these legends within the Drill Sergeant community”.
The U.S. Army Center for Initial Military Training and the U.S. Army Drill Sergeant Academy at Fort Jackson salutes all the 2025 inductees into the Drill Sergeant Hall of Fame.
| Date Taken: | 09.22.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 09.22.2025 13:44 |
| Story ID: | 548957 |
| Location: | FORT JACKSON, SOUTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 15 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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