Fort Bliss Monitor

USASMA’s ‘Double Nickel’ class sets record for future classes to exceed

Staff Sgt. Krishna M. Gamble
USASMA Public Affairs

Staff Sgt. Krishna M. Gamble

Sgt. Maj. Chien-Tung Tsai from Taiwan celebrates after earning an associate’s degree in Applied Science from Excelsior University. Tsai made USASMA history May 16 by being one of the first international students to earn a college degree while attending the sergeants major course.

The U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy Class 55 members broke three academy records during their nine months of intense study and training. Senior noncommissioned officers achieved more than 50,000 volunteer hours, made international history, and had the most graduates complete civilian education requirements.

Class 55, “Double Nickel,” representing the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and several allied forces, graduated May 20 at the Abraham Chavez Theater in downtown El Paso, leaving a permanent mark in academy history.

The 544 graduates gave the most volunteer hours to the military and local community. College degrees or certificates were earned by 286 USASMA staff and sergeants major course students, and for the first time in USASMA history, two international students earned college degrees while attending the sergeants major course, said Roxanna Taylor, USASMA Education Advisor.

One of those international students, Sgt. Maj. Chien-Tung Tsai from Taiwan, earned an associate degree in Applied Science from Excelsior University. The other, Warrant Officer Siak Ping NG from Singapore, earned a certificate for Information Technology from Cochise College.

“Academic achievement, specifically degree attainment, is one of the most purely individual accomplishments that a Soldier can achieve,” said Col. John E. Seward, USASMA commandant during the Class 55 baccalaureate ceremonies held May 16. “All of your hard work and dedication to academic excellence has come to fruition.”

Students appreciated the opportunity to pursue civilian education. “I am very excited because it took me 20 years to get my bachelor’s degree. It’s a big thing for me, and now I am going to get my master’s,” said Sgt. Maj. Mack Polk, who received his degree in liberal studies from Excelsior University. Polk’s next assignment will be at Fort Riley, Kan., to be the G-4 sergeant major for the 24th Infantry Division.

Another first for the academy was the uniform in which students graduated. Breaking from the tradition of the Class A or Class B uniform, Class 55 graduated in the battle dress uniform.

“Many courses across TRADOC graduate in BDUs, ACUs, [and] DCUs,” said Command Sgt. Maj. John Sparks, Training and Doctrine Command’s sergeant major. “I think it’s fitting for an Army at war. Personally, I look at it as a tribute to the Soldier in combat. When we graduate warriors and send them out to fight a war, we should graduate them as warriors. Many of these Soldiers will graduate and go out to the fight. It is important to translate that sentiment to Soldiers that we are supporting you in the fight and we are ready to join the fight.”

To prepare for the fight, Class 55, composed of command sergeant majors, sergeant majors, and master sergeants from their respective services, studied in the major areas of leadership, military operations and resource management.

“As each new graduate goes out to the Army and shares the knowledge and insights gained here, our Army only continues to improve,” said Brig. Gen. Howard Bromberg, director of enlisted personnel management and guest speaker. “I’ve learned a lot from the instructors and the students, and now I can take it out and pass it on to my fellow Soldiers,” said Master Sgt. Shawn Leonard, who has 19 years active service. Leonard’s next assignment will be at Fort Sill, Okla., as an ordnance training detachment first sergeant.

“As senior noncommissioned officers, our only existence is to serve our Soldiers,” said Sgt. Maj. Nickevett R. Carey. “Class 55 will always be remembered as the ultimate force for changing the Army’s transition to units of action.”

Carey’s next assignment will be in the Republic of South Korea as the senior clinical command sergeant major for the 121st General Hospital.

The transformation of today’s Army to the ultimate fighting force on the battleground and in the classroom can be achieved at the academy and the programs it supports. “No other military in the world provides NCOs the opportunity to grow and develop as our NCOES does,” Bromberg said. “Even though the formal part of NCOES is now concluded … education as one of the Army’s senior leaders is just beginning. My advice is to take some time each day or week and read or observe something to further your knowledge.” “It is an honor to be selected to attend this course at the most prestigious academy in the military,” said Master Sgt. Allison Smith. “For the opportunity to serve with such a vast number of senior noncommissioned officers and be taught by a very professional staff and faculty, I am truly honored.” Smith will remain at USASMA for one year before taking a position as a battalion command sergeant major.



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	May 26, 2005

<map name="boxmap-b4"> <area shape="rect" coords="0, 589, 120, 600" href="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm/privacy-policy.html?o=1" > <area coords="0,0,10000,10000" href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=&creative=92501&camp=8117&link_code=dl1&path=subst/misc/amazon-cobrand-cc/v3/marketing-from-associates-step1.html/ref%3Db1_assoc_29" > </map>	USASMA’s ‘Double Nickel’ class sets record for future classes to exceed Staff Sgt. Krishna M. Gamble USASMA Public Affairs Staff Sgt. Krishna M. Gamble Sgt. Maj. Chien-Tung Tsai from Taiwan celebrates after earning an associate’s degree in Applied Science from Excelsior University. Tsai made USASMA history May 16 by being one of the first international students to earn a college degree while attending the sergeants major course. The U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy Class 55 members broke three academy records during their nine months of intense study and training. Senior noncommissioned officers achieved more than 50,000 volunteer hours, made international history, and had the most graduates complete civilian education requirements. Class 55, “Double Nickel,” representing the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and several allied forces, graduated May 20 at the Abraham Chavez Theater in downtown El Paso, leaving a permanent mark in academy history. The 544 graduates gave the most volunteer hours to the military and local community. College degrees or certificates were earned by 286 USASMA staff and sergeants major course students, and for the first time in USASMA history, two international students earned college degrees while attending the sergeants major course, said Roxanna Taylor, USASMA Education Advisor. One of those international students, Sgt. Maj. Chien-Tung Tsai from Taiwan, earned an associate degree in Applied Science from Excelsior University. The other, Warrant Officer Siak Ping NG from Singapore, earned a certificate for Information Technology from Cochise College. “Academic achievement, specifically degree attainment, is one of the most purely individual accomplishments that a Soldier can achieve,” said Col. John E. Seward, USASMA commandant during the Class 55 baccalaureate ceremonies held May 16. “All of your hard work and dedication to academic excellence has come to fruition.” Students appreciated the opportunity to pursue civilian education. “I am very excited because it took me 20 years to get my bachelor’s degree. It’s a big thing for me, and now I am going to get my master’s,” said Sgt. Maj. Mack Polk, who received his degree in liberal studies from Excelsior University. Polk’s next assignment will be at Fort Riley, Kan., to be the G-4 sergeant major for the 24th Infantry Division. Another first for the academy was the uniform in which students graduated. Breaking from the tradition of the Class A or Class B uniform, Class 55 graduated in the battle dress uniform. “Many courses across TRADOC graduate in BDUs, ACUs, [and] DCUs,” said Command Sgt. Maj. John Sparks, Training and Doctrine Command’s sergeant major. “I think it’s fitting for an Army at war. Personally, I look at it as a tribute to the Soldier in combat. When we graduate warriors and send them out to fight a war, we should graduate them as warriors. Many of these Soldiers will graduate and go out to the fight. It is important to translate that sentiment to Soldiers that we are supporting you in the fight and we are ready to join the fight.” To prepare for the fight, Class 55, composed of command sergeant majors, sergeant majors, and master sergeants from their respective services, studied in the major areas of leadership, military operations and resource management. “As each new graduate goes out to the Army and shares the knowledge and insights gained here, our Army only continues to improve,” said Brig. Gen. Howard Bromberg, director of enlisted personnel management and guest speaker. “I’ve learned a lot from the instructors and the students, and now I can take it out and pass it on to my fellow Soldiers,” said Master Sgt. Shawn Leonard, who has 19 years active service. Leonard’s next assignment will be at Fort Sill, Okla., as an ordnance training detachment first sergeant. “As senior noncommissioned officers, our only existence is to serve our Soldiers,” said Sgt. Maj. Nickevett R. Carey. “Class 55 will always be remembered as the ultimate force for changing the Army’s transition to units of action.” Carey’s next assignment will be in the Republic of South Korea as the senior clinical command sergeant major for the 121st General Hospital. The transformation of today’s Army to the ultimate fighting force on the battleground and in the classroom can be achieved at the academy and the programs it supports. “No other military in the world provides NCOs the opportunity to grow and develop as our NCOES does,” Bromberg said. “Even though the formal part of NCOES is now concluded … education as one of the Army’s senior leaders is just beginning. My advice is to take some time each day or week and read or observe something to further your knowledge.” “It is an honor to be selected to attend this course at the most prestigious academy in the military,” said Master Sgt. Allison Smith. “For the opportunity to serve with such a vast number of senior noncommissioned officers and be taught by a very professional staff and faculty, I am truly honored.” Smith will remain at USASMA for one year before taking a position as a battalion command sergeant major.