Photo By Sgt. Yvonne Lewis | U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Thames, with the 130th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade,...... read more read more
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SAN ANTONIO, Texas — U.S. Army human resources Soldiers support the Joint Task Force-Southern Border (JTF-SB) mission by helping maintain personnel readiness for operations along the U.S. southern border.
U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Thames, a human resources specialist and the noncommissioned officer in charge of the S-1 section with the 130th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, assigned to JTF-SB in support of Operation Ardent Vanguard. His responsibilities directly influence unit morale, personnel readiness and commanders’ ability to make informed decisions.
Army human resources professionals manage personnel readiness and track troop strength by ensuring individual personnel records, medical clearances and training certifications are accurate while helping fill critical unit vacancies.
“I wanted to choose a career path that would challenge me,” Thames said.
Originally from Clayton, North Carolina, Thames has served in the North Carolina National Guard (NCNG) for 12 years. He joined the NCNG during his junior year of high school and completed his advanced individual training after graduating.
His dedication and commitment to service led to his promotion to sergeant first class within 12 years.
“I had a lot of good leaders in front of me, setting me on the right path,” Thames said.
Thames also draws inspiration from his father, a retired Army National Guard lieutenant colonel. His father’s example helped shape Thames’ commitment to leadership and service.
“My mantra is to always lead from the front and never ask of a Soldier what you wouldn’t do,” Thames said.
In his current role, Thames oversees personnel administration and human resources readiness at the brigade level during the JTF-SB mission.
“I was fortunate enough to be placed in a master sergeant vacancy as a sergeant first class,” Thames said.
His position allows him to help ensure Soldiers supporting the mission have their administrative needs addressed while supporting the overall readiness of the brigade.
Troop readiness remains a priority for JTF-SB, with ongoing assessments conducted to ensure service members meet the evolving requirements of the mission. Human resources professionals such as Thames help make that readiness possible.
From tracking troop strength and processing awards and evaluations to addressing critical pay and family support issues, HR Soldiers provide essential services that allow commanders and Soldiers to remain focused on the mission.
Their work may not always be visible on the front lines, but it is essential to maintaining a ready and effective force.
For Thames and the Soldiers in his section, “Ever Dependable” reflects the steady administrative support behind the mission. U.S. Northern Command is working side-by-side with the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection within narrowly defined authorities to provide unique military capabilities to protect the territorial integrity of the U.S. southern border.
| Date Taken: | 08.18.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 09.10.2026 17:19 |
| Story ID: | 573028 |
| Location: | SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 48 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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