Program_Belting Ceremony

United States Army Center for Initial Military Training
United States Army Drill Sergeant Academy
Fort Jackson, South Carolina

“THIS WE’ LL DEFEND”

Belting Ceremony

in honor of

Sergeant Major Melissa C. Solomon
United States Army Drill Sergeant Academy

Monday, April 11, 2022
11:30 am Drill Sergeant Statue

SEQUENCE OF EVENTS DRILL SERGEANT CREED

Welcoming Remarks I am a Drill Sergeant
Invocation
I will assist each individual
SGM Campbell’s Remarks in their efforts to become a
Belting Ceremony highly motivated, well disciplined,
physically and mentally fit Soldier,
SGM Solomon’s Remarks capable of defeating any enemy on
Closing Remarks today’s modern battlefield.

I will instill pride
in all I train.

Pride in Self, in the Army,
and in Country.

I will insist that each Soldier
meets and maintains the Army standards

of military bearing and courtesy,
consistent with the highest traditions

of the U.S. Army.

I will lead by example,
never requiring a Soldier to

attempt any task
I would not do myself.

But first, last, and always,
I am an American Soldier,
sworn to defend the Constitution
of the United States against
all enemies, both foreign and domestic.

I am a Drill Sergeant!

SGM Melissa C. Solomon

Sergeant Major Solomon was born in Milwaukee, WI on
April 26th, 1984. She graduated from Sandalwood High
School, Jacksonville, FL and entered the United States
Army in August of 2001. She completed Basic Combat
Training at Fort Jackson, SC in August 2002 and
Advanced Individual Training at Fort Gordon, GA in
February 2004 which included Health Care Specialist and
Licensed Practical Nurse training.

Sergeant Major Solomon has served in a variety of
leadership and broadening assignments to include
Intermediate Care Ward NCOIC, Drill Sergeant, U.S.
Army Reserve Drill Sergeant of the Year, Master Fitness Trainer Instructor, Total
Force Integrator, Plans NCO, First Sergeant, and Operations Sergeant Major.

Sergeant Major Solomon’s assignments include: Alpha Company, 345th Combat
Support Hospital, Jacksonville, FL; Alpha Company 2nd/485th Battalion, Jacksonville
FL; United States Army Reserve Drill Sergeant School, Fort Jackson, SC; Initial
Military Training Center of Excellence, Fort Eustis, VA; Doctrine Training
Development Division, Training Support and Schools Directorate, Fort Jackson,
SC; Delta Company 1st/321st Battalion, Concord, NC; U.S. Army Physical Fitness
School, Fort Jackson, SC; U.S. Army Reserve Noncommissioned Officer Academy
Parks, Dublin, CA; and 5th Medical Brigade, Birmingham, AL.

Sergeant Major Solomon’s military education includes the Sergeants Major
Academy, Company Commander and First Sergeant Course, Training Planning
and Development Course, Battle Staff Noncommissioned Officer Course, Master
Resilience Training Facilitator Course, Master Fitness Trainer Course, Critical
Incident Peer Support Training, Combatives Level Two Course, Small Group
Leader Instructor Course, Total Army Instructor Course, Drill Sergeant School,
Licensed Practical Nurse, and Combat Medic Advanced Skills Training. Sergeant
Major Solomon received a Bachelor of Arts in Leadership and Workforce
Development from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.

Sergeant Major Solomon’s awards and decorations include: Meritorious Service
Medal (4OLC), Army Commendation Medal (3OLC), Army Achievement Medal
(1OLC), Army Good Conduct Medal (2 knots), Army Reserve Components
Achievement Medal (3OLC), Army Superior Unit Award, Global War on Terrorism
Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (M device), NCO Professional Development
Ribbon (Numeral 5), National Defense Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Drill
Sergeant Badge, and Basic Rifle Marksmanship Badge (sharpshooter).

Sergeant Major Solomon lives in Columbia, SC and does not have any children.