JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command recognized the Army’s seven best instructors during the 2019 TRADOC Instructor of the Year Awards ceremony here, August 7.
During the ceremony, Gen. Paul E. Funk II, commanding general, TRADOC, praised the winners and emphasized the critical role Army instructors play in mission success.
"The future leaders of our Army are in TRADOC centers and schools right now,” Funk said. “It’s our job to ensure Soldiers receive the best training, education and inspiration available to grow their potential. That is what this group of educators has done. Every day, they are doing their best to secure the future of our force.”
Each year, the competition begins by identifying the best 72 active-duty, National Guard, Reserve, and civilian instructors from a pool of more than 10,000 in TRADOC alone. The 72 candidates are then judged on tactical and technical knowledge, communication skills, and classroom management. Additional consideration is also given to their contributions to training and education, including curriculum development, research and article publication. The end result identifies the seven TRADOC Instructor of the Year awardees.
Each winner from this year’s competition received an Instructor of the Year plaque, TRADOC Certificate of Achievement, as well as a TRADOC coin and four-star note from the TRADOC CG.
"To be selected as an instructor means that a lot of confidence and responsibility is placed in these individuals, and the seven instructors who are here are the best of the best in their field," said David Garrity, TRADOC Instructor of the Year program director. "Being recognized as an instructor of year speaks volumes about their professionalism.”
The 2019 TRADOC Instructors of the Year
Educator of the Year
Dr. Evelyn Hollis is an Army civilian and assistant professor at the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy at Fort Bliss, Texas.
Active Duty Officer Instructor of the Year
Capt. Matthew Weather is an instructor at the U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School at Fort Jackson, S.C.
Active Duty Warrant Officer Instructor of the Year
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Armour Taylor is an instructor with the Quartermaster Warrant Officer Advanced Course at Fort Lee, Va.
Active Duty Noncommissioned Officer Instructor of the Year
Sergeant 1st Class Clifford Hammond III is an instructor at the U.S. Army Recruiting and Retention College at Fort Knox, Ky.
Reserve Instructor of the Year
Ryan Klagenberg is an instructor at the 80th Training Command in North Chesterfield, Va.
Civilian Instructor of the Year
Carl Lumpkin is an instructor at the Advanced Individual Training Human Resource Specialist Course, at Fort Jackson, S.C.
Army National Guard Instructor of the Year
Loretta Harris is an instructor at the Professional Education Center – Installations, Logistics and Environmental Training Center, North Little Rock, Ark.