Vision Statement
To be the world’s premier institution who sharpens noncommissioned officers to be passionate and masters of tasks through the People First approach – producing lethal and agile drill sergeants capable of developing tomorrow’s elite warrior.
Leadership and Philosophy
Commandant
Command Sergeant Major
Rickey G. Jackson
Commandant, U.S. Army Drill Sergeant Academy
Educational Degrees/Certifications
American Military University - BA - Psychology
University of Texas at El Paso MA Leadership Studies
Military Schools Attended
United States Army Sergeant's Major Academy Class 66, the Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Course, Drill Sergeant Course, Senior Leader’s Noncommissioned Officers Course, Advance Noncommissioned Officers Course, the Basic Leader’s Course, Combative Level I and II, Battle Staff NCO Course, Anti-Terrorism Officer Course, Unit Movement Officer Course, Air Load Planner Course, Master Resiliency Course, and the Combat Life Savers Course.
PROMOTIONS |
DATE OF PROMOTION |
PROMOTIONS |
DATE OF PROMOTION |
SGT |
July 1998 |
MSG |
January 2011 |
SSG |
July 2002 |
SGM |
March 2017 |
SFC |
May 2006 |
|
|
Assignments
FROM |
TO |
ASSIGNMENT |
June 22 |
Present |
32nd Command Sergeant Major, United States Army Drill Sergeant Academy, Fort Jackson, SC |
June 20 |
June 22 |
Command Sergeant Major, 1st Infantry Division Artillery, Fort Riley, KS |
Jan. 20 |
June 20 |
Sergeant Major, 1st Infantry Division (Forward) Poland, Fort Riley, KS |
Jan. 16 |
June 19 |
Command Sergeant Major, 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery, Fort Stewart, GA |
Aug. 16 |
Dec. 16 |
Operations Sergeant Major, 3rd Infantry Division Artillery, Fort Stewart, GA |
Aug. 15 |
Aug. 16 |
Student, United States Army Sergeants Major Academy, Class 66, Fort Bliss, TX |
Aug. 13 |
Aug. 15 |
Senior Field Artillery Professional Development NCO, Human Resource Command, Fort Knox. KY |
Feb. 11 |
July 13 |
First Sergeant, B Battery, 1st Battalion, 77th Field Artillery, Grafenwoer, Germany |
May 10 |
Feb. 11 |
First Sergeant, SVC Battery, 1st BN, 77th Field Artillery, Schweinfurt, Germany |
May 08 |
May 10 |
Platoon Sergeant, C Battery, 1st Battalion, 77th Field Artillery, Schweinfurt, Germany |
Nov. 05 |
May 08 |
Senior Drill Sergeant, D Company, 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, Fort Jackson, SC |
Aug. 01 |
Nov. 05 |
Howitzer Section Chief 3rd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery, Fort Hood, TX |
July 00 |
Aug. 01 |
Howitzer Section Chief, C Battery, 1st Battalion, 15th Field Artillery, Camp Casey, Korea |
July 99 |
July 00 |
Howitzer Section Chief, B Battery, 4th Battalion, 42nd Field Artillery, Fort Hood, TX |
Jul7 98 |
July 99 |
Gunner, B BTRY, 4th Battalion, 42nd Field Artillery, Fort Hood, TX |
Nov. 95 |
July 98 |
Cannonneer, B BTRY, 4th Battalion, 42nd Field Artillery, Fort Hood, TX |
Awards and Decorations:
His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit Medal, Bronze Star Medal (2nd oak leaf cluster), the Meritorious Service Medal (3rd oak leaf cluster), the Army Commendation Medal (4th oak leaf cluster), the Army Achievement Medal (1 silver oak leaf cluster and 1 oak leaf cluster), the Army Good Conduct Medal (7th award), the National Defense Service Medal, the Korea Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal (1 bronze service star), the Iraq Campaign Medal (2 bronze service stars), the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (3rd award), the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon (4th award), the NATO Medal (1 bronze service star), the Superior Unit Award, and the Meritorious Unit Citation.
Deputy Commandant
Melissa C. Solomon
Deputy Commandant, U.S. Army Drill Sergeant Academy
Educational Degrees/Certifications
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. - BA - Bachelor of Arts in Leadership and Workforce Development
Military Schools Attended
United States Army Sergeant's Major Academy Class 71, Common Faculty Development Instructor Course, Company Commander and First Sergeant Course, Training Planning and Development Course, Battle Staff Noncommissioned Officer Course, Master Resilience Training Facilitator Course, Master Fitness Trainer Course, Critical Incident Peer Support Training, Combatives Level Two, Drill Sergeant School, Licensed Practical Nurse, and Combat Medic Advanced Skills Training Course.
PROMOTIONS |
DATE OF PROMOTION |
PROMOTIONS |
DATE OF PROMOTION |
SGT |
Sept. 2004 |
MSG |
Dec. 2016 |
SSG |
Feb. 2009 |
SGM |
Aug. 2021 |
SFC |
Jan. 2012 |
|
|
Assignments
FROM |
TO |
ASSIGNMENT |
April 22 |
Present |
Deputy Commandant, United States Army Drill Sergeant Academy, Fort Jackson, SC |
July 21 |
April 22 |
Operations Sergeant Major, 5th Medical Brigade, Birmingham, AL |
Aug. 20 |
July 21 |
Student, United States Army Sergeants Major Academy, Class 71, Fort Bliss, TX |
Oct. 18 |
Aug. 20 |
First Sergeant, United States Army Reserve Noncommissioned Officer Academy Parks, Dublin, CA |
Mar. 17 |
Oct. 18 |
Plans NCO, 5th Medical Brigade, Birmingham, AL |
May 14 |
Mar. 17 |
United States Army Total Force Integrator, United States Army Physical Fitness School, Fort Jackson, SC |
Sept. 12 |
May 14 |
Senior Drill Sergeant, B Company, 1st Battalion, 321st Infantry Regiment, Cary, NC |
Sept. 11 |
Sept. 12 |
Master Fitness Trainer Instructor, United States Army Physical Fitness School, Fort Jackson, SC |
Sept. 10 |
Sept. 11 |
United States Army Drill Sergeant of the Year, Center for Initial Military Training, Fort Eustis, VA |
Sept. 08 |
Sept. 10 |
Drill Sergeant Leader, United States Army Reserve Drill Sergeant School, Fort Jackson, SC |
Sept. 07 |
Sept. 08 |
Drill Sergeant, A Company, 2nd Battalion, 485th Infantry Regiment, Jacksonville, FL |
Feb. 04 |
Sept. 07 |
Licensed Practical Nurse, 345th Combat Support Hospital, Jacksonville, FL |
Awards and Decorations:
Her awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (4th Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Commendation Medal (3rd Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Achievement Medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Good Conduct Medal (2 knots), Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (3rd Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Superior Unit Award, Global War on Terrorism Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (M device), NCO Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 5), National Defense Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Drill Sergeant Badge, and Basic Rifle Marksmanship Badge (sharpshooter).
DSOY
Devante D. McLean
Drill Sergeant of the Year
Educational Degrees/Certifications
Associates of Arts, Business Administration (Sep 2022)
Certified Six Sigma Black Belt
Fiber Optic Installer
Military Schools Attended
Certified Six Sigma Black Belt Course, Certified Six Sigma Green Belt Course, Common Faculty Development Instructor Course, Drill Sergeant School, Advance Leaders Course, Airborne School, Air Assault School, Equal Opportunity Leaders Course, Master Resilience Training Facilitator Course, Digital Training Management System, SharePoint, Fiber Optic Installer, COMPTIA Security+, COMPTIA Network+.
PROMOTIONS |
DATE OF PROMOTION |
PROMOTIONS |
DATE OF PROMOTION |
CPL |
July 2017 |
SGT |
May 2018 |
SSG |
June 2021 |
|
|
Assignments
FROM |
TO |
ASSIGNMENT |
May 22 |
Present |
Drill Sergeant of the Year, United States Army Drill Sergeant Academy, Fort Jackson, SC |
Nov. 21 |
May 22 |
Drill Sergeant Leader, United States Army Drill Sergeant Academy, Fort Jackson, SC |
June 20 |
Nov. 21 |
Drill Sergeant, A Company, 3rd Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment, Fort Jackson, SC |
Sept. 19 |
June 20 |
Operations NCO, 11th Theater Tactical Signal Brigade, Fort Hood, TX |
May 19 |
Sept. 19 |
Plans NCO, 62D Expeditionary Signal Battalion, Fort Hood, TX |
May 18 |
May 19 |
SSS Section Chief, C Company, 62D Expeditionary Signal Battalion, Fort Hood, TX |
July 17 |
May 18 |
Team Chief, A Company, 62D Expeditionary Signal Battalion Fort Hood, TX |
Awards and Decorations:
Staff Sgt. McLean’s awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal (3rd Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Achievement Medal (7th Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Good Conduct Medal (2 knots), Global War on Terrorism Ribbon, Armed Forces Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 2), National Defense Service Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Drill Sergeant Identification Badge, Basic Army Instructor Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Basic Rifle Marksmanship Badge (Expert), Drivers Wheeled Vehicle Badge, and the Signal Regimental Bronze Order of Mercury. He is also a member of the prestigious Sergeant Audie Murphy Club.
Philosophy
Leadership is an art, not a science. Therefore, the United States Army Drill Sergeant Academy (USADSA) must professionally train and develop Drill Sergeants of character capable of transforming volunteer civilians to Soldiers and Leaders. USADSA will establish standards, drive improvement, and lead change to ensure Drill Sergeants produce Soldiers that are highly trained, disciplined, physically fit, mentally and spiritually tough, and morally grounded.
TEAM
Treating others with Dignity and Respect: We expect USADSA to demonstrate a people-first attitude, where every leader treats each other with the utmost respect. We must lead from the front and always set the example. Treating each other with dignity and respect is the foundation of our Army. The most precious asset we have is each other, and above all, our Soldiers in the organization must honestly know we care for them and their families.
Engaged Leadership: Every Leader at the USADSA Must "Get into the weeds" with their Soldiers, to understand what's going on in their lives. It's more than asking "how are you" or "did you have a good weekend?" It means asking who they are, what they want to be, and how you can help meet those goals? Having a conversation with each other, hearing what they have to say, and then understanding their perspectives will ultimately gain the buy-in and support from the TEAM. Every Soldier and civilian assigned to USADSA wants to feel a part of the team and needs recognition. Leaders must know their Soldiers and what motivates them to Fight and Win!!!
Always learning and Developing: Professionally, continuous learning is about expanding your skills to remain relevant with the changes across the Army. Continuous learning also helps avoid complacency at the USADSA and ensures we progress toward reaching our full potential. USADSA must be adaptable to change and fight to standardize all operations throughout the organization.
Mindfully Communicate: "Closed mouths don't get fed" We expect all team members to communicate their needs successfully. Please don't suffer in silence and try to solve problems alone. We're all human and have limits to our mental and physical capabilities. Every team member is valued and appreciated, so your input and advice matter.