Perseverance pays off  Fort Jackson drill sergeant snags TRADOC DSoY title      Chris Rasmussen  Leader Staff

The long road to victory is never easy. But Staff Sgt. Herbert D. Thompson IV has proved perseverance and dedication are keys to success. Thompson, a drill sergeant leader with the Drill Sergeant School, won the Training and Doctrine Command 2008 Drill Sergeant of the Year Competition held June 16-20 at Fort Monroe and Fort Eustis, Va. “It has been a long road of competition. I never thought I would have gotten to where I am today,” said Thompson, who will now move to Fort Monroe and work with TRADOC in developing curriculum for the Drill Sergeant School. Thompson will also serve as spokesman for the Army and attend high-profile events such as the Army All-American Bowl and the annual Association of the U.S. Army symposium. “I am truly honored and humbled that I was selected the winner. This is not just about myself. A lot of people helped me get here,” he said. The competition, which featured five active-duty drill sergeants and two Reserve-component drill sergeants, began with an Army Physical Fitness Test consisting of pushups, situps and a 2-mile run. Next, the competitors were faced with a number of drill sergeant tasks such as responding to a heat casualty and a non-compliant Soldier. “The most challenging aspect was never knowing what was going to happen next,” Thompson said. “Also there was top-notch competition, and any one of them could have been named the winner.” Other events included day and night land navigation, reflexive fire, written tests, urban orienteering and a board review with Command Sgt. Major Robert Bruner of TRADOC. Winner of the Reserve component DSoY was Sgt. 1st Class Michael Noland, 95th Reserve Division. “DS Thompson distinguished himself as a superb noncommissioned officer from the time he was assigned here at the Drill Sergeant School, by exceeding every task required,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Gary Newsome, DSS commandant. “He enjoyed his role as a mentor and teacher. His attitude and demeanor set the tone for him winning the TRADOC DSOY competition and by this I was not so surprised.” Thompson won the right to compete at the TRADOC level after capturing the Fort Jackson DSoY title in April following an arduous three-day competition. A native of Dansville, N.Y., Thompson joined the Army in 1998.  Previous assignments include G-1, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 25th Infantry Division (Light), Schofield Barracks, Hawaii as well as a stint as drill sergeant for 3rd Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment. “I look forward to this being an interesting year and hopefully I can make a positive impact for all drill sergeants,” Thompson said. “Fort Jackson has been nice, but you always have to be ready to move on in the Army.” Sgt. 1st Class Ryan Wheele, a drill sergeant with 1st Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment, who was runner up in the Fort Jackson DSoY competition will now serve as the installation’s DSoY.  “I look forward to carrying on the work of the previous DSoY,” Wheele said. “I’m also not surprised how well drill sergeant Thompson did at TRADOC. He is a great NCO and I think this year’s very challenging Fort Jackson competition prepared him for the TRADOC-level competition.” Wheele will work as a liaison between drill sergeants and the installation’s command group and advise post commanders and command sergeants major on all areas pertaining to drill sergeants and Basic Combat Training Soldiers. DSOY also communicates daily with TRADOC on BCT policy issues affecting Fort Jackson and serves as a mentor to the more than 800 drill sergeants on the installation.