[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 90 (Friday, May 26, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E502]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING THE LIFE OF SERGEANT MAJOR JOHN A. THOMAS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TRENT KELLY

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 26, 2023

  Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 
life and achievements of Sergeant Major John A. Thomas. Sergeant Major 
Thomas embarked on his military journey in October 1985 when he joined 
the United States Army. He became a member of the Mississippi Army 
National Guard in October 1995 and is currently the Directorate of 
Personnel and Community Activities Sergeant Major for Camp Shelby Joint 
Forces Training Center.
  He is a graduate of the United States Army Sergeants Major Course, 
the United States Navy War College's Senior Enlisted Course, the 
National Defense University's Senior Enlisted Joint Course, the NATO 
Senior Noncommissioned Officer Orientation Course, the Garrison Command 
Leadership Course, and the Leadership Foundry/UT Center for Executive 
Education's Leadership Challenge Program. He has both his bachelor's 
degree and master's degree in business administration and completed the 
International Business Management Institute's Global Governance 
program.
  Sergeant Major Thomas's military assignments include the 2ND MMC, 1ST 
COSCOM, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; the Logistic Support Unit, 
Multinational Force and Observers, Sinai, Egypt; the 1st United States 
Army Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama; the 3390th United 
States Army Reserve Forces School, Jackson, Mississippi; the 367th 
Maintenance Company, Philadelphia, Mississippi; State Headquarters 
Command, Jackson, Mississippi; the 1108th Aviation Classification 
Repair Depot, Gulfport, Mississippi; the 298th Corps Support Battalion, 
Al-Taqaddum Air Base, Iraq; the Joint Sustainment Command, Kandahar Air 
Field, Afghanistan; the 184th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, 
Hattiesburg, Mississippi; the 298th Combat Sustainment Support 
Battalion, Philadelphia, Mississippi; Camp McCain Training Center, 
Grenada, Mississippi; the 184th Expeditionary Sustainment Command's 
Syrian Logistics Cell, Erbil, Kurdistan-Iraq and Mississippi National 
Guard Joint Forces Headquarters, Jackson, Mississippi.
  In addition to his impressive list of assignments, Sergeant Major 
Thomas has also assumed significant leadership roles. His contributions 
as the MS Covid-19 Logistics Task Force Senior Enlisted Leader, Syrian 
Logistics Cell Senior Enlisted Leader, Garrison Command Sergeant Major, 
Battalion Command Sergeant Major, and Sustainment Command Support 
Operations Sergeant Major have been instrumental in ensuring the 
readiness and success of his units. His invaluable experience and 
expertise have helped shape the future leaders of our armed forces, 
leaving an indelible mark on those fortunate enough to have served 
under his guidance.
  Throughout his illustrious career, Sergeant Major Thomas has been the 
recipient of numerous prestigious awards and decorations. His personal 
accolades, including the Combat Action Badge, the Bronze Star, the 
Meritorious Service Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal, are a 
testament to his exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to 
duty. Each of these honors reflects the bravery, selflessness, and 
dedication that Sergeant Major Thomas embodies every day.
  Sergeant Major Thomas and his wife, Denita, reside in Noxapater, 
Mississippi. They have two children, Alex and Adam, and three 
grandchildren, Parker, Alexander, and Isabella.