FORT MONROE, Va. (June 18, 2010) -- Staff Sgt. Timothy E. Sarvis, assigned to Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., was selected as the active-duty Army 2010 Drill Sergeant of the Year and Staff Sgt. Melissa C. Solomon, assigned to the 108th Training Division, was selected as the Army Reserve Drill Sergeant of the Year.
"We went through some rigorous times out there," said Sarvis. "I was a little surprised when I won. All those drill sergeants were doing great stuff out there."
Upon hearing her name announced as the Reserve Drill Sergeant of the Year, Solomon said, "I was very shocked ... but I'm very honored to have won."
Winners were announced in a military ceremony here today hosted by Command Sgt. Maj. John R. Calpena and reviewed by Lt. Gen. Mark P. Hertling, deputy commanding general for Initial Military Training, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command. Both Drill Sergeants of the Year were awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.
The winners were among eight of the Army's top drill sergeants competing for the prestigious award. This year's competition featured five active-duty and three Army Reserve drill sergeants. Each competitor had already been recognized as the Drill Sergeant of the Year for his or her respective installation or division.
The active-duty Army Drill Sergeant of the Year will receive the Stephen Ailes Award, initiated in 1969. Ailes was Secretary of the Army from 1964 to 1965 and was instrumental in creating the first Drill Sergeant School at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.
The Reserve Component winner will receive the Ralph Haines Jr. Award. Haines was commander of the Continental Army Command (forerunner of TRADOC) from 1970 to 1972. Both awards will be presented in the Pentagon at a later date.
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