Email   Print   Share By Candateshia Pafford, III Corps and Fort Hood Public Affairs

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Command Sgt. Maj. Arthur L. Coleman Jr., III Corps and Fort Hood command sergeant major, passes the III Corps and Fort Hood Noncommissioned Officer Academy colors to Command Sgt. Maj. James Daniels on Sadowski Field in front of III Corps Headquarters June 14. Daniels assumed commandant duties from Sgt. Maj. William May, who became the deputy commandant of the NCO Academy. Candateshia Pafford, III Corps and Fort Hood Public Affairs

Warrior Leader Course graduates pass by the reviewing stand during the Pass in Review after the NCO Academy’s change of command ceremony and WLC graduation ceremony on Sadowski Field in front of III Corps Headquarters, June 14. Candateshia Pafford, III Corps and Fort Hood Public Affairs

While the Army celebrated its 237th birthday, the III Corps and Fort Hood Noncommissioned Officer Academy welcomed a new commandant during a change of command ceremony June 14 on Sadwoski Field in front of III Corps Headquarters.

Sgt. Maj. William May relinquished command of the academy to Command Sgt. Maj. James Daniels.

May, whose previous assignment was deputy commandant of the NCO Academy, served as commandant of the academy for four months. He will resume duties in his position as deputy commandant.

“He was the right man at the right time,” Command Sgt. Maj. Arthur L. Coleman Jr., III Corps and Fort Hood command sergeant major, said.

May said that he enjoys mentoring and affecting the lives of future noncommissioned officers of the Army.

“Commandant or deputy commandant, being a part of this organization is wonderful,” he said.

“A new face does not bring new standards,” May said of the new commandant, “just a new face to implement what the NCO Academy is all about – training the best to lead the best.”

Daniels comes to the NCO Academy from the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division at Fort Benning, Ga., where he served as the brigade’s command sergeant major.

Daniels took command of the NCO Academy on the 30th anniversary of his enlistment into the Army. He said his previous assignments over the past 30 years have prepared him to do what the Army needs him to do next.

“It’s a great achievement to be selected,” Daniels said. “I am excited to give back my experience and my knowledge to the corps.”

This is Daniels’ third assignment at the Great Place. He said the good thing about Fort Hood is that it continues to get better.

“The community, the support of our good neighbors and the friends I knew years ago are still around,” he said.

Daniels’ goal as commandant is to help improve the corps by continuing to improve the NCO Academy.

“NCOs are that pivotal point where other Soldiers say, ‘I want to be like him or her,’” he said. “NCOs, we are always on watch. We lead from the front. We take the initiative. We set the example.”

Following the change of command ceremony, the new commandant presided over a Warrior Leaders Course graduation. With a graduating class of more than 300 Soldiers, 57 Soldiers made the Commandant’s List and four Soldiers were presented with honors.

Sgt. James Kirscht was awarded Distinguished Honor Graduate; Spc. Scott Bilich was awarded Honor Graduate; Spc. Amanda Rose was awarded Command Sergeant Major Retired Jimmy Johnson Leadership Award; and Spc. Jeremiah Sheets was awarded Commandant’s Challenge Award.