FORT SILL, Oklahoma (Dec. 10, 2019) -- The Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill recognized its 2019 instructors, and curriculum developers of the year Dec. 9, during a ceremony at Cache Creek Chapel.
Six Soldiers, three Marines, and one civilian were honored in front of their peers, supervisors, families, and friends.
The honorees are:
Field Artillery Officer Instructor of the Year: Capt. Andrew Roberts, 1st Battalion, 30th FA
Air Defense Artillery Officer Instructor of the Year: Capt. David Degenhardt, 2nd Battalion, 6th ADA
FA Warrant Officer Instructor of the Year: CW3 Antoinette Jackson, B/1-30th FA
ADA Warrant Officer Instructor of the Year: CW3 David Hemingway II, 2-6th FA
ADA NCO Instructor of the Year: Staff Sgt. Patrick Harris, 3rd Battalion, 6th ADA
ADA Officer Curriculum Developer of the Year: Capt. Dewayne Deener, 2-6th ADA
Marine Officer Instructor of the Year: Capt. Evan Klag, Marine Artillery Detachment
Marine Enlisted Instructor of the Year: Staff Sgt. Jesse Garner, MARDET
Marine Curriculum Developer of the Year: Gunnery Sgt. Nicholas Joiner, MARDET
Civilian Instructor of the Year: Tristan Swain, 2-6th ADA
Jackson, a quartermaster, teaches property accountability to students in the Basic Officer Leader, and Captains Career courses. She said she was happy with the recognition, and attributed it to hard work. "It took a lot of time and dedication to the instruction."
She said she was attracted to teaching because she wanted to become comfortable with talking in front of people.
Klag, a Gunnery Branch chief and gunnery instructor at the Marine Artillery Officer Basic Course, said he was honored. He said he knew he went up against a lot of qualified instructors. He attributed his success as a group effort on part of the branch.
"Everybody works together, we do a rehearsal process to make everyone the best instructor that they can be," said Klag, who has been here about 1.5 years. "It was really a lot of hard work from the guys before me that got me to this point."
What's the best part of teaching?
"I enjoy the opportunity to pass on knowledge to new lieutenants, and new leaders in my organization," Klag said.
Swain instructs Soldiers on three weapons systems: Stinger, Avenger, and Counter -- Rocket, Artillery, Mortar (C-RAM). He said it was nice to be recognized and that he was proud to be on the stage. He said he appreciated all the instructors and curriculum developers who were nominated.
"It shows me that they do care about what they are teaching the Soldiers who are going to the front lines," said Klag, a former Avenger crewmember, who served for 10 years as an enlisted air defender.
The FCoE and Fort Sill command team of Maj. Gen. Wilson A. Shoffner, and Command Sgt. Maj. John Foley presented the Soldiers with Army Commendation medals; and the Marines with Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medals.
The winners were nominated by their by superiors based on their instructional or curriculum effectiveness, leadership, demonstration of values, and mentorship, said program narrator Mike Simmons. The Army winners will move on to the Training and Doctrine Command's instructor, and curriculum developer of the year competitions.
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