A Mount Lebanon native with 30 years in Reserve and CSM is still leading, helping troops

Courtesy Photo | Command Sgt. Maj. James F. Hill, U.S. Army 55th Sustainment Brigade.  

BALAD, IRAQ

05.21.2008

Story by Spc. Charlotte Martinez 

3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command

LOGISTIC SUPPORT AREA ANACONDA, Iraq – Command Sgt. Maj. James F. Hill, a Sunset Hills, Mount Lebanon, PA native and Command Sgt. Maj. of the 55th Sustainment Brigade, has accomplished many things in his lifetime as a Soldier in the Army Reserve.

Hill has been in the Reserve since 1978 and has additional years in the Marine Corps prior to that.

"Patriotism and a love of country for America is something that was instilled in me as a child," Hill said about his reasons for joining the military. "My family used to go to all of the Veteran's Day parades, the American Legion events as well as the (Veterans of Foreign Wars) halls all the time."

Hill said he grew up in the blue-collar, steel working town of Pittsburgh and his father was a Marine in the Pacific during World War II, as well as both of his grandfathers serving in Europe during World War I. He also has an uncle that served during WWII in Okinawa and another uncle in the Army National Guard. Hill said his family's military background was a great influence for him to join the military.

"I love our country and our Soldiers and that's why I came back (to the military as an Army Reservist)," Hill said.

Hill joined the Reserve in 1978 as a corrections specialist. He was unable to re-enlist in the United States Marine Corps because of a wound sustained in Vietnam, so he said the Army Reserve gave him a second chance at life in the military - as long as he could pass a physical fitness test.

Initially, Hill did not consider the Reserve as a career opportunity until he went through the Primary Leadership Development Course, which is now known as the Warrior Leadership Course.

"PLDC instilled the basics of what it would be like to be a (non-commissioned officer) in the Army," Hill said. "That is what set the tone for the rest of my career, as well as confirmed my decision to stay in the Reserve."

Hill has now served three tours overseas. During his first tour, he served in Vietnam as a Marine Force Reconnaissance scout where he gathered intelligence, equipment, data, documents and prisoners, he said.

For his second deployment, he went to Baghdad between February 2004 and March 2005 as a command sergeant major where he went on route clearance missions alongside the 2nd Brigade Combat Team and members of the 1st Cavalry Division.

Hill recently arrived here with the 55th SB for his second Iraq tour and plans on ensuring his Soldiers are up to par with their Soldier skills and military occupational specialty skills.

"I wanted one more opportunity to come back to Iraq and be with Soldiers," said Hill. "It makes my heart grow watching them mature and develop as Soldiers and NCOs."

As a command sgt. maj., Hill said he tries to focus on the health and welfare of his Soldiers, but training is the biggest focus. He said he wants to ensure his Soldiers are trained to the standard and each Soldier knows their duties and responsibilities.

Hill said it is vital for a Soldier to know not only their Soldier skills, but their MOS skills as well. He also said that each Soldier should feel confident to go to their NCOs and officers if they have a question.

"Each Soldier should take the opportunity to walk the walk," he said. "They need to do what they can to increase their knowledge in that MOS and seek out opportunities to learn as much as they can."

According to Hill, becoming a command sgt. maj. and having the opportunity to serve not only with a combat engineer battalion in Iraq, but also with a sustainment brigade, is one of his biggest military achievements.

"Running into junior officers and enlisted Soldiers years later that I have helped to mentor and they are now Lt. Cols. and other CSMs," Hill said, "that's a crowning achievement, knowing that I have helped them become the officer or NCO that they are today. It always brings a smile to my face."

Hill said he has witnessed the 'caliber of Soldiering' has improve a great deal since he joined the Reserve in 1978.

"I think (Soldiers) are more motivated, more intelligent, they learn quicker and they are better educated in both the civilian world and military," he said. "Soldiers know what the military has to offer them and they take extra courses or training."

"There are more schools and courses offered now than... before," Hill said, "I find the training now a lot more intense than when you just did two weekends a month. There has been a big change since 1978."

Hill also said that Soldiers, no matter what their ranks, should be able to learn from one another.

"Once you get to a point where you can not learn from someone else, it's time to hang up your spurs," he said.

In his civilian occupation, Hill is a licensed professional counselor and works for the Commonwealth Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry as a rehabilitation counselor.

In the future, you may also see him volunteering at the Combat Stress Center here.

Hill said that his family has always been his hobby. Hill has a 10 month old grandson and two daughters who he loves to spend time with.

"I am also an avid Steelers fan," he said. "I hold season tickets, even when I don't go to a majority of the games."

Hill said he started going to the games when he was 6 years old and has been going ever since.

When he is not with his family or at a game, Hill said he thoroughly enjoys swimming, hiking and mountain biking. He said he may have sustained injuries back in Vietnam, but he is still walking and talking and not afraid to throw on his body armor and go out with his Soldiers.

"I love being in the company of Soldiers; it keeps me young and they keep me on my toes," Hill chuckled.

Hill has been a member of the Army Reserve for one third of the 100 years it has existed, and said that he is proud to serve.

"One thing that continues to make us the best Army in the world; look at our motto, Army Strong, we can teach one another and learn from one another and that's what makes this Army strong," he said.

Command Sgt. Maj. Hill has many medals and achievements under his belt from his service to both the Marines as well as the Army Reserve.

With 30 years in the Reserve, Hill remains an active Soldier who is ready to get down on the ground with his troops as they continue to learn from one another.

• Date Taken: 05.21.2008
• Date Posted: 05.21.2008 08:07
• Story ID: 19644
• Location: BALAD, IQ