Lamont Christian

Lamont Christian spent 33 years as a combat infantryman in the US Army culminating his career as the 24th Post Command Sergeant Major of Fort Jackson, the world’s largest training post and Center of Excellence for initial Military training in the United States.  After retiring, Lamont continued his devotion to public service, helping to launch and deliver the Warrior PATHH program in South Carolina, the only privately funded program proven to facilitate and cultivate posttraumatic growth, as well as serve as a reserve deputy for the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.  Now serving as the interim Executive Director of the Big Red Barn Retreat, Lamont continues to impact the lives of thousands of veterans and first responders in the community by providing education and training on post-traumatic growth and holistic wellness.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Lamont Christian spent his teenage years in Fayetteville, NC. He later attended North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, NC and subsequently enlisted in the Army Reserves as a Parachute Rigger. Lamont decided to enter active duty in the Army as an Infantryman and served honorably in various positions of leadership and authority in numerous combat units across the Army such as the prestigious 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning, GA, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, NC, 101st Airborne at Fort Campbell, KY and 25th INF Division at Schofield Barracks, HI. His combat deployments include Desert Shield/ Storm in Saudi Arabia, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. At the height of Lamont’s notable military career, he was selected to be the 27th Commandant of the only US Army Drill Sergeant Academy at Fort Jackson, SC. Finally, Lamont concluded his highly distinguished military career at the most senior level Non-commissioned rank of Post Command Sergeant Major for Fort Jackson until his retirement in 2018.

Lamont rose to prominence in popular culture to be known as America’s Drill Sergeant when his voice was featured calling the cadence “HARD WORK” in a major advertised Gatorade commercial in 2013.  Lamont’s Drill Sergeant photo is still featured as part of Fort Jackson’s mobile advertising campaign to this day.

Now serving as the interim Executive Director of The Big Red Barn Retreat, Lamont leads the efforts of South Carolina’s premiere nonprofit to provide education and training on post-traumatic growth and holistic wellness in order to help those that serve a greater good Struggle Well. He personally trains and leads multiple teams of “guides” and facilitators who deliver the transformative, lifelong training programs promoting physical, emotional, mental, financial, and spiritual health through a series of peer-based, growth-based educational and experiential activities.

During his career, Lamont was the recipient of numerous awards to include induction into the US Army Drill Sergeant Association Hall of Fame, Fort Jackson Hall of Fame, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medals, 2 time recipient of the South Carolina Veteran of the Quarter Award and nominee for the SC Veteran of the Year Award, as well as the Columba Chamber of Commerce Military Advocate of the Year Award