After twenty years of service, Chapin Soldier promoted to sergeant major

Related Media

140125-Z-IK722-004_web.jpg

SPRINGFIELD, IL (08/15/2014)(readMedia)-- , Ill. – After 20 years of military service, Mary L. Dixon of Chapin, Illinois, with the 108th Multi-Functional Medical Battalion in Chicago, was promoted to the rank of sergeant major during a ceremony at the Illinois State Military Museum at Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois, Aug. 15.

"I am honored to serve the members of the 108th Medical Battalion and the Illinois Army National Guard in this capacity," said Dixon. "I will strive to live up to the standards of the leadership of the Illinois Army National Guard."

Dixon enlisted in the Illinois Army National Guard in 1994 as a petroleum supply specialist in the 258th Supply and Service Company in Beardstown, Illinois. She graduated in the top 20 percent of her class at the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy (USASMA) at Fort Bliss, Texas, in June 2013. She said she felt a great sense of accomplishment in completing this course.

"Few National Guardsmen have an opportunity to attend the resident Sergeants Major Academy," said Dixon. "It prepared me for this assignment, not only by ensuring I understood the day-to-day processes and expectations, but also by instilling the importance of continued education."

Dixon completed multiple overseas assignments including Italy, Poland, Afghanistan and was the senior logistics noncommissioned officer while deployed for the Bi-Lateral Embedded Staff Team A7 in 2011.

Dixon has worked as a full-time federal technician in various positions at Camp Lincoln since 1995.

Dixon reflected on a particular word from her time at USASMA, where they discussed the word sergeant and its Latin meaning servant.

"I hope to be a servant leader, who puts the needs of others first and helps people develop and perform as highly as possible," she said.

Dixon was appointed as the force health protection chief operations sergeant for the 108th Multi-Functional Medical Battalion in July. She is responsible for the planning, coordination, and execution of the Army Health System mission, to include medical logistics, operations, preventative medicine and behavioral health.

Matt, her husband (left), her son Ben and her daughter Rebecca, stand with Mary L. Dixon of Chapin, Illinois, as she is promoted to sergeant major, during a ceremony at Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois, Aug. 15. She will work as the force health protection chief operations sergeant for the 108th Multi-Functional Medical Battalion in Chicago. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Aleah M. Castrejon, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs)

Mary L. Dixon of Chapin, Illinois, is promoted to sergeant major, during a ceremony at Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois, Aug. 15. She will work as the force health protection chief operations sergeant for the 108th Multi-Functional Medical Battalion in Chicago. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Aleah M. Castrejon, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs)

Mary L. Dixon of Chapin, Illinois, is promoted to sergeant major, by her son Ben, during a ceremony at Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois, Aug. 15. She will work as the force health protection chief operations sergeant for the 108th Multi-Functional Medical Battalion in Chicago. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Aleah M. Castrejon, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs)