FT. SNELLING, Minn. - Sgt. Maj. Cornell Adams was overwhelmed and grateful when he was awarded the 80th Training Command’s Command Sergeant Major Morris Salley, Jr. Award during the 80th TC’s commanders’ conference at the Reserve Center here on April 8, 2017.
Hailing from Temple Hills, Maryland, Adams is assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 100th Training Division, at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana. Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey Darlington, the senior enlisted leader of the 80th TC, applauded Adams for his outstanding leadership. He noted Adams' 10 years of youth mentorship in the Washington, D.C. area, as well as having coordinated a battalion community outreach event at a food pantry warehouse in Indianapolis. During that event, Soldiers of the 3rd Battalion moved more than 40,000 pounds of food and greatly contributed to the distribution preparedness of the facility.
Darlington explained that the Command Sergeant Major Morris Salley, Jr. Award for excellence is presented annually in honor and remembrance of one of the most outstanding command sergeants major who has ever served in the 80th Training Command and the Army Reserve. This award recognizes the battalion command sergeant major or sergeant major serving in the interim battalion CSM capacity who most diligently carries out the charge in honor of CSM Salley, Jr. Volunteerism and community outreach are major factors in the selection process.
Donica Salley was excited to learn about Adams receiving the award in honor of her late husband. “Congratulations to you, Sgt. Maj. Adams, on a job well done, not only as a leader, but also for your community involvement,” she said. “You exemplify what it’s all about: serving our communities wherever we are.”
Although Adams was honored and humbled by receiving the award, he said he would be remiss if he did not mention the combined efforts of his team. "Major Nathan May was instrumental in making my success possible,” he said. “The trust and confidence he had in us allowed the flexibility to make things happen at the 100th."
Adams explained that it’s his unit’s leadership and believing in the mission that has allowed him to be successful. “Sometimes you just have to see things as they should be,” he said. “Even when you don't see the entire staircase, you can't be afraid to take the first step. I believe in what (Indy Car 500 winner and Formula 1 World Champion) Mario Andretti said. ‘It’s the determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal - a commitment to excellence - that will enable you to attain the success you seek.’”