Photo By Barbara Wilson | Newly promoted Sgt. Maj. James Davis, of Springfield, Illinois, thanks family,...... read more read more
Subscribe
Illinois Army National Guard Soldier James M. Davis, of Springfield, was promoted to sergeant major in a ceremony Aug. 11 at the Illinois Military Academy, Camp Lincoln, Springfield.
Davis, the Illinois Army National Guard Senior Training Assessment noncommissioned officer in charge, enlisted in the Illinois Army National Guard in 2005, as a motor transport operator and was assigned to the 1344th Transportation Company in East St. Louis, Illinois.
“I’ve have known Master Sergeant Davis for about 10 years and I quickly learned how capable he was as a noncommissioned officer and Soldier. As a truck master, not only could he drive trucks but he was also an expert on weight, hazardous material and other things not always in their realm,” said Lt. Col. Jeffrey Hicks, Commander, 634th Brigade Support Battalion and financial manager for the Illinois Army National Guard in the U.S. Property and Fiscal Office.
Hicks said when he needed a first sergeant for the Mattoon-based Company A, 634th BSB, he sought out Davis.
“When we needed a first sergeant in the 634th, I asked him to come over,” Hicks said. “It was his second time as a first sergeant, but he grabbed the reigns and ran with it. We didn’t get much time with him, but that time really helped that unit tremendously. You’re going to do great things going forward.”
Davis has served in challenging positions as both a traditional and full-time Guard member. He began his federal technician career with the Tank and Armament Command, based in Warren, Michigan. He has also served as an instructor, senior instructor, chief instructor and branch chief for the 88M Motor Transport Operator MOS-T reclassification course with 1st Battalion, 129th Regiment (Regional Training Institute).
“I greatly appreciate everyone taking the time on a Friday afternoon to share this moment with myself and my family,” Davis said. “I wouldn’t be here without the support you have given me.”
Davis thanked his family, including mom, Ellen, wife, Michelle, and son, Liam, for their support.
“I wouldn’t be here without the support from each of you,” he said. “You are always there, supporting me. You keep me going every day.”
Davis said he appreciates the continued opportunity to serve in the Illinois National Guard.
“I spend a lot of time here at Camp Lincoln,” he said. “I appreciate the opportunity the leadership has given me. I will stay around as long as they’ll have me.”
Davis, who deployed to Afghanistan in 2008-2009 with 2nd Battalion, 122nd Field Artillery Regiment, is enrolled in the Sergeants Major Academy in the Distance Learning program.
| Date Taken: | 08.11.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 09.25.2023 08:56 |
| Story ID: | 453770 |
| Location: | SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, US |
| Web Views: | 46 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, SPRINGFIELD SOLDIER PROMOTED TO SERGEANT MAJOR, by Barbara Wilson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
