Soldier Spotlight: Sgt. 1st Class Tikeila T. Chancey

By Sgt. Sharmain BurchJanuary 13, 2015

Soldier Spotlight: Sgt. 1st Class Tikeila T. Chancey
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SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. - The Soldier Spotlight allows the command to Enhance the Force by recognizing Soldiers and their achievements. This week, U.S. Army Central spotlights Sgt. 1st Class Tikeila T. Chancey, Public Affairs noncommissioned officer, USARCENT, for her most recent achievement of graduating from Drill Sergeant school.

Being a U.S. Army drill sergeant falls in line with shaping the military, as NCOs take civilian men and women and turn them into Soldiers.

According to Drill Sgt. Tanya Green, a senior drill sergeant at Fort Jackson, drill sergeants train approximately 1,400 to 1,900 recruits a year.

Chancey received an email in June of this year from the U.S. Army Human Resources department selecting her to train to become a drill sergeant. The request identified her as being one of the "Army's finest" by the Department of the Army.

Chancey graduated Dec. 10, at Fort Jackson, S.C. and for the next two years will be called Drill Sergeant Chancey.

"I cannot wait to go and train the U.S. finest civilians and turn them into Soldiers," said Chancey. "I want the people I train to leave basic combat training feeling like I made a difference in their life; for making them the Soldiers that they are.

Chancey was born in Millbrook, Ala., a city in Elmore County known for the landmarked Robinson Springs United Methodist Church built in 1848.

"Growing up I thought I would be a school teacher but as a full-time student, a mom and having a full-time job; something had to give. So, I thought the Army could be that change," said Chancey.

Chancey joined the U.S. Army in 2003. In 2004, she deployed with the 1st Corps Support Command in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom until 2005. Over the course of her career she attended Air Assault school, Master Fitness training and Drill Sergeant school, she said the support of her family helped her succeed.

Chancey's hobbies are spending time with her children and shopping. She also plans to take her children on a Disney Cruise one day.

The U.S. Army drill sergeant said she has much to be thankful for and reflected on her career as being a great choice.

"Looking back from when I first decided to join the Army, if I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't change a thing."