A house RESOLUTION

 

TO CONGRATULATE STAFF SERGEANT JOSEPH R. ADAMS ON BEING SELECTED TO RECEIVE THE MASTER SERGEANT LELAND DIAMOND AWARD, A COVETED HONOR BESTOWED ON THE MOST OUTSTANDING RECENT GRADUATE FROM THE U.S. MARINE CORPS DRILL INSTRUCTOR SCHOOL.

 

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is delighted to learn that Staff Sergeant Joseph R. Adams was honored to receive the Master Sergeant Leland Diamond Award, which is conferred upon the most outstanding recent graduate of the U.S. Marine Corps Drill Instructor School; and

 

Whereas, an 0311 infantry Marine, Staff Sergeant Adams joined the U.S. Marine Corps on September 4, 2017, and trained with the 3rd Battalion at Parris Island. After boot camp and basic infantry training, he was assigned to security forces at Kings Bay Naval Base, where he guarded nuclear submarines. Following his tour in security forces, he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, a highly decorated infantry battalion nicknamed "Geronimo," part of the Marines' 1st Marine Division. This celebrated battalion is based at Camp Pendleton, California. During Staff Sergeant Adams's time at the 1/5, he served two Pacific deployments and was promoted to sergeant; and

 

Whereas, having reenlisted, the young Joseph was selected for Drill Instructor School and, given a choice of locations, he chose to go back to his roots and become a Parris Island drill instructor. He entered one of the most demanding courses offered by the Marine Corps, Marine Corps Drill Instructor School, an eleven-week course tasked with training "the Marines that make Marines"; and

 

Whereas, the mission of Drill Instructor School is to further develop the leadership, command presence, instructional ability, knowledge, and physical condition of selected noncommissioned officers to successfully perform the duties of a drill instructor. The school not only prepares Marines for an arduous tour as a Marine Corps drill instructor but also hones their skills as professional warriors. The school takes great pride in the fact that its graduates will shape the future of the Marine Corps as they train future Marines. The school also is proud that these graduates later will lead future efforts for the corps when they return to the operating forces; and

 

Whereas, Staff Sergeant Adams graduated from Drill Instructor School on June 18, 2025. As a newly graduated drill instructor, he was assigned to the 1st training Battalion, Charlie Company, Platoon 1086. At the end of the first training series, each new drill instructor is evaluated by his superior officers and senior drill instructors, and the best new drill instructor is awarded the Master Sergeant Leland Diamond Award. The newly graduated Staff Sergeant Joseph R. Adams proved himself worthy of this highly prized recognition, granted to the new drill instructor who best demonstrates superior effort, maturity, and skills above that of his peers from the same Drill Instructor School class. Award recipients also must demonstrate humility, eagerness to learn, endurance, and enthusiasm, and must embody the attributes of an exemplary drill instructor; and

 

Whereas, the House takes great pleasure in saluting Marine Staff Sergeant Joseph R. Adams on receiving the prestigious Master Sergeant Leland Diamond Award, and the members extend best wishes for continued success in all his future endeavors. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, congratulate Staff Sergeant Joseph R. Adams on being selected to receive the Master Sergeant Leland Diamond Award, a coveted honor bestowed on the most outstanding recent graduate from the U.S. Marine Corps Drill Instructor School.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Staff Sergeant Joseph R. Adams.

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