U.S. Army marketing trailers showcase America's Drill Sergeant

Command Sgt. Maj. Lamont Christian's picture on the side of a one of thenew U.S. Army Recruiting Command trailer.

Story and photos by Leslie Ann Sully

Fort Jackson Post Command Sgt. Maj. Lamont Christian has had many roles during his Army career and now he can add being the Drill Sergeant face that millions will see around America. His picture from the Army’s CAN YOU MAKE THE CUT campaign was selected as one of the photos used to wrap the new U.S. Army Recruiting Command Marketing Trailers. His job at the time of the photo shoot was Commandant of the United States Army Drill Sergeant Academy on Fort Jackson, S.C.

“The opportunity to see the picture on a local trailer was very humbling and exciting,” he said when he saw one outside of the headquarters of U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion Columbia. The battalion, just like the other 38 battalions across America, received two trailers in August. One is now located at the U.S. Army Recruiting Company Asheville to help promote the Army in the Asheville, N.C. and Greenville, S.C. areas. The other is at the U.S. Army Recruiting Company Augusta and will be traveling around the Augusta, Ga., recruiting area as well as the greater Columbia, S.C., communities. 

Columbia Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Robert Garbarino and Fort Jackson Command Sgt. Maj. Christian.

The role of promoting a positive image for the Army is not new to Christian. Previously, he was recognized as America’s Drill Sergeant. He started his Drill Sergeant time at Fort Benning, Ga., in 1993 and later served at that Fort Benning Drill Sergeant School until 1998. As a Drill Sergeant Leader, Christian recorded several Army cadences for Army use. Later, he learned that one was used in a Gatorade commercial.