On September 18, 2025, during the prestigious Drill Sergeant of the Year Competition in Fort Jackson, the Drill Sergeant Association celebrated excellence by inducting nine remarkable individuals into the Hall of Fame. These inductors, recognized for their outstanding careers and significant contributions to the Drill Sergeant Program, included four distinguished alumni from the 108th Training Command: CSM (Ret.) William J. SGM Andrew J. Payne Palmer, SFC Jake R. Mrzena, and MSG Christopher J. Adame.
The Drill Sergeant Association, founded in 2014 by CSM Dennis Woods, SGM Thomas Campbell, and former Drill Sergeants of the Year SFC David Stover and SFC Ryan McCaffrey, serves as a unifying platform for past and present Drill Sergeants. It honors their contributions in shaping the Army and promoting the profession of Drill Sergeant.
Each inductee brought a legacy of leadership and innovation to the Hall of Fame. CSM Payne, a trailblazer since 1983, held numerous leadership roles in the 108th Division, including Commandant of the Drill Sergeant School and Command Sergeant Major during Operation Iraqi Freedom. SGM Palmer, a former U.S. Army Reserve Drill Sergeant of the Year, revolutionized marksmanship training and now serves as Deputy Commander of the U.S. Army Drill Sergeant Academy. MSG Adame, known for his adaptability during the COVID-19 pandemic, headed curriculum updates and personnel solutions, ensuring the program's resilience. SFC Mrzena, the 2025 U.S. Army Reserve Drill Sergeant of the Year, played a pivotal role in transforming Basic Combat Training and rewriting key Army training manuals.
Date Taken: | 09.18.2025 |
Date Posted: | 09.22.2025 21:32 |
Story ID: | 549009 |
Location: | SOUTH CAROLINA, US |
Web Views: | 25 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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