Photo By Danielle ODonnell | The honorees for this year’s NCO Leadership Center of Excellence Hall of Honor shake...... read more read more
FORT BLISS, Texas--The NCO Leadership Center of Excellence and the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy held a ceremony for the NCOL CoE Hall of Honor on June 20 where two individuals were inducted.
Command Sgt. Maj. Jimmy Sellers, commandant of the NCOL CoE, hosted the event. Also attending were several special guests who included Sgt. Maj. of the Army Daniel Dailey, and Mr. Tom Thomas, Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army, the honorees for this year’s inductions were retired Command Sgts. Maj. Diane Williams and Dennis Defreese.
Since May 2006, the Hall of Honor has recognized individuals who have significantly contributed to the NCOL CoE or to the NCO Professional Development System.
To date there have been 34 individuals inducted into the Hall of Honor who have all served meritoriously in positions of great responsibility, and have made significant contributions to the education of Soldiers and the NCO Corps.
Today is no different as the NCOL CoE inducts two more individuals into the Hall of Honor to join the ranks of those who provided distinguished meritorious service before them.
“Today, gives me great pleasure to induct two of our finest NCOs into the prestigious hall,” said Sellers. “First we have Diane Williams, the first female command sergeant major to serve as an aviation brigade CSM. Next, Dennis Defreese who is my predecessor and the 3rd enlisted commandant of the NCOL CoE.”
Sellers provided the audience with short introductions for each of the inductees and highlighted the accomplishments which enabled them to be selected into the Hall of Honor.
After the brief introductions both Sellers and each of the inductees unveiled their induction plaques which will be displayed at the NCOL CoE with the rest of the Hall of Honor inductees.
The first to be inducted was Williams.
“Diane’s vision and her individual efforts helped us realize the importance of improving the writing capabilities of enlisted Soldiers,” Sellers said.
Williams was selected by the NCOL CoE to re-organize and develop additional materials for the English writing and American Psychological Association lesson plans. She was responsible for reshaping the Command and General Staff College curriculum into the Sergeants Major Course as it is known today.
“When I came into the military my first mentor told me, ‘Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. Do not be afraid to lead, but more importantly learn how to follow,’” said Williams.
Williams was recognized for her hard work, dedication and superior performance in moving the USASMA and the NCOL CoE to a place of educational distinction for enlisted leader development for the Army, our sister services and allied partner nations.
Williams is known for setting and enforcing high standards in the classroom, she enjoyed being able to impart new knowledge to her students and believed developing value added sergeants major.
She ended her remarks with gratitude. “It has been my pleasure to serve and help create something that will last forever, a strong professional and lethal Army. Thank you for this honor,” she said.
The next inductee was Defreese.
“During his tenure as the commandant one of his most notable achievements was his work to develop the USASMA Fellowship program, which I call the foundation, of the Bachelor of Arts degree in Leadership and Workforce Development,” said Sellers.
The Fellowship was created by Defreese to recruit, train, educate and turn sergeants major into facilitators of adult education. Through his prompting, a partnership with the Pennsylvania State University has given 20 select sergeants major a year the opportunity to earn a Master in Adult Education degree, as a fellow, followed by a 24-36 month commitment to the USASMA as an instructor.
“As you can see the program has done much more than that,” Sellers said. “It’s alive and well and will continue to pay huge dividends for our NCO Corps into the distant future.”
The Fellowship program was a key element in setting the groundwork for the USASMA moving towards accrediting the SMC to award a bachelor’s degree.
Defreese gave a light hearted speech which provided better insight into the events which took place in order to start the Fellowship program.
Speaking to the students of the SMC Class 69, “You cannot be overeducated,” Defreese said. “We are the envy of the world. Every country around the world wants their NCO Corps to be like yours. So when you get out there, you need to own it for NCO education, be a proponent for our education system. Remember, you need both education and training, they are not the same, but they do complement each other.”
Sellers final remarks discussed the impact the inductees had on him and his career.
“Dennis and Diane you now join 34 inductees into the NCOL CoE Hall of Honor for the many contributions you have provided throughout your careers and tenures here at USASMA”, Sellers said. “Having a front row seat and being able to watch, as well as benefit from what you have done is humbling. You are very deserving of this recognition.”
The Hall of honor inductees consist of former officers, enlisted and department of the Army civilians. These inductees have made a lasting and positive impact on the way the NCOL CoE develops, integrates and delivers training and education readiness to the U.S. Army.
For more information on the NCOL CoE Hall of Honor visit our webpage at https://ncolcoe.armylive.dodlive.mil/hall-of-honor/
| Date Taken: | 06.25.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 06.25.2019 23:18 |
| Story ID: | 329171 |
| Location: | FORT BLISS, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 117 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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