FORT JACKSON, S.C. (Oct. 2, 2014) -- A time capsule was sealed Tuesday inside the command entrance of the U.S. Army Drill Sergeant School. Loaded with documents and other memorabilia related to the drill sergeant program, the event was part of an ongoing celebration of the school's 50th anniversary.
The plan is to open the time capsule in 25 years, said Command Sgt. Maj. Lamont Christian, commandant of the U.S. Army Drill Sergeant School. Former drill sergeants were invited to donate items for inclusion in the time capsule as a means of preserving the history and heritage of the school.
"The majority of the items are personal," Christian said.
Former drill sergeants were asked to provide a biography, a photo and other pieces of memorabilia from their days on active duty. Any former drill sergeant was eligible to donate items for the time capsule.
"Initially, we were going to consider including items from combat trainers who were instructors prior to the initiation of the drill sergeant program," he said.
Because the time capsule is designed to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Army Drill Sergeant School, it was decided to restrict contributions primarily to Soldiers who took part in the program.
"This includes Advanced Individual Training platoon sergeants who were on special duty, who were fulfilling the roles of drill sergeants," Christian said.
Former drill sergeants have contributed about two dozen items to the time capsule, which includes items ranging from written biographies to an ashtray bearing the drill sergeant emblem.
Because of the limited space in the time capsule, there was only room for so many items.
"We actually haven't had many hats," Christian said. "I'm thinking it's because people wanted to hold on to the most iconic part of their uniform."
The ashtray came from an anonymous donor, he said. In addition to the drill sergeant emblem, it also bears the words "Fort Jackson, S.C." Because of the change in attitudes about smoking in recent years, Christian guesses the ashtray dates back to the 1960s or 1970s.
Leadership decided to open the time capsule in 2039, Christian said, in hopes that some of the people participating in the event can see it opened.
"The idea is to give some individuals a chance in their lifetime to see it opened," he said. "They can be part of the past and part of the future. We went with 25 years to provide that 'reunion' element."
Last week, a time capsule was found buried in the head of a statue located outside the Old State House in Boston, Massachusetts. The existence of time capsule had been eventually forgotten since it was sealed in 1901. Christian said steps had been taken to not only protect the items inside the school's time capsule, but also to place it in a prominent location at the facility as a constant reminder of its presence.
"We wanted to be able to provide a location for the time capsule where it would be readily visible," Christian said. "We initially thought about burying the time capsule, but were worried about the loss of property with the chemical breakdown of documents and photographs. We decided to keep it above ground."
The location also provides a constant reminder of the time capsule's presence, and perhaps adds an element of mystery, he said.
"We moved the location out of the Bowen Room, which currently houses the Drill Sergeant Hall of Fame," he said. "We wanted to give (it) its own place of importance. So we decided to place it in the immediate entrance of what is right now Commandant's Hall."
The area of the building is slated for a name change in the near future. Although a date has not been established, Christian said the time capsule will soon greet visitors at Hyman Hall, named for Command Sgt. Major William R. Hyman, the first commandant of the U.S. Army Drill Sergeant School.
Christian said he hopes to attend the time capsule opening in 2039.
"My health withstanding, and my proximity to South Carolina in that time period, I hope to attend," he said.
Social Sharing