Overview

• Nine honorees were enshrined at the U.S. Army Drill Sergeant Academy on Sept. 18 during the weeklong U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserve Drill Sergeant of the Year Competition at Fort Jackson.
• Inductees include Lt. Col. (R) Harold Nobles, Command Sgt. Maj. (R) William Payne, Command Sgt. Maj. Joshua Bitle, Sgt. Maj. Andrew Palmer, Capt. (R) James Ross, 1st Sgt. (R) Robert Rose, Master Sgt. Christopher Adame, Sgt. 1st Class Jake Mrzena, and Sgt. 1st Class (R) James “Jim” Rose.
• The class reflects contributions that shaped modern instruction, including POI standardization, updated rifle marksmanship training, and curriculum adjustments for new fitness standards and COVID-era disruptions.
• Four of the inductees are alumni of the 108th Training Command, underscoring the unit’s long-running influence on the Drill Sergeant program.
• Official accounts differ on whether Sgt. 1st Class Jake Mrzena holds the 2024 or 2025 U.S. Army Reserve Drill Sergeant of the Year title, though all note his induction.