Sergeant Major (SGM) Adrian Bernard Hamrick was born February 24, 1964 in Charlotte North Carolina. He received his early childhood education in the Charlotte Mecklenburg School System; SGM Hamrick entered the workforce at the age of 14 after obtaining his work permit under the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA). After acquiring his Driver license at the age 16 he began driving a school bus for Independence High School where he also graduated from in 1982. SGM Hamrick enlisted in the Army in November 1982 and graduated from Basic and Advanced Individual Training to included Airborne School at Fort Benning Georgia. SGM Hamrick has held many leadership positions throughout the Infantry.
SGM Hamrick has served in a variety of positions and has had multiple tours as a Team Leader, Track Commander, Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant, Drill Sergeant, Relief Commander, Ranger Instructor, Military Science Instructor, First Sergeant, Command Sergeant Major and Sergeant Major. He has served in the 24th Infantry Division, 1st Armored Division, 3rd Infantry Division The Old Guard where he became the 366th person to earn the covenant Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Identification Badge, 4/13th Infantry, where as a Drill Sergeant he Researched, Developed and Wrote Instructions and also orchestrated a video on “How to conduct a Company Training Meeting” known today as TC 25-30.He also served in the 82nd Airborne Division were he was inducted into the prestigious Sergeant Audie Murphy Club , Jungle Operations Training Center Panama were he also served as a Theatre Support Brigand Sergeant Major and Senior Enlisted Advisor for the turnover of The Panama Canal under the Carter-Torrijos Treaties in December 1999. SGM Hamrick as a Military Science Instructor at West Virginia State College and University brokered a deal with Major General Allen Tackett and the senior officials of the school resulting in all cadets receiving free Tuition to include Room and Board while participating in program. After graduating from the United States Army Academy Class 54, SGM Hamrick was given the awesome responsibility of being assigned as the United States of America Forces Central Command First Sergeant with the responsibility of providing unique Sustainment Operational Services for American Forces deployed throughout Iraq, Afghanistan and The Horn of Africa.
SGM Hamrick’s military and civilian education includes all levels of the Noncommissioned Officer Educational System, Airborne School, Jumpmaster School, Air Assault School, Ranger, Equal Opportunity Advisor, Drill Sergeant School, Observer Controller Course, Instructor Trainer Course, and Sergeant Major’s Academy. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management.
His notable awards and decorations are the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Accommodation Medal six Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal Nine Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Identification Badge, Ranger Tab, Senior Parachutist Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, Air Assault Badge, Combat Infantry Badge, El Salvadorian Jump wings, Colombia Jump Wings, German Sports Badge, German Gold Marksman Badge.
SGM Hamrick previously served as Vice President of The Million Veterans March Organization and spoke in Washington DC in support of the efforts to end homelessness among veterans. He is currently serving as the Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer for the Carolinas Sports Enhancement Center (CSEC).
SGM Hamrick serves as a Board of Director on Veteran Retreats Foundation. In addition, he is a shareholder in Veteran Retreats Incorporated with a capacity as Strategy Development Officer.
He is married to the former Mrs. Juanita Ferguson of Nassau Bahamas and has 4 children Sade’ (22), Adrian Jr (12), Nicholas (8), Jayden(5).
