2 | WEDNESDAY , NOVEMBER 11 , 2020 | THE RECORD
TRIBUTE TO VETERANS Top Sergeant Is Proud to Be Career Soldier
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teacher , Ms . Dudley , who served in the National Guard , making a big impression on him , as well — one that would stick with him over time .
“ She was one of those teachers who went beyond what ’ s expected . She was a mentor to us young kids , and took us roller skating after school ,” says Williams . “ I remember she would often come to class in uniform when she had ‘ drill ’ that day and we would ask her about it and what the military was like . She was definitely one of the reasons why I chose to enlist .”
The most significant influence in Williams ’ life , though , was his mother Bernice Williams .
“ She was the backbone of our family and I was terrified to tell her I had enlisted . She wanted me , my brother and sister to go to college , and I didn ’ t tell her I was leaving until the night before . She didn ’ t believe me ,” says Williams , “ and when the recruiter came to pick me up at 7 o ’ clock the next morning , she cursed him out really bad ! She didn ’ t believe I made the decision [ to enlist ] on my own . But , as time went on , she understood why I did it — the environment was really bad and a lot of my friends were getting into trouble . It was just a matter of time before something bad would happen to me or someone I loved dearly .”
Today , Ernest Williams Jr . is the topranking non-commissioned officer in the New Jersey National Guard . He is the State Command Sergeant Major , a rank only six non-commissioned officers before him attained in the near 75-year history of the New Jersey National Guard . He is responsible for 8,000 Guardsmen and women , ensuring everything is in place for them to do their mission .
“ I ’ ve always been the type of person to take care of the underdog … take care of people … and the military has provided that outlet as I ’ ve gone through my career . Being a ‘ big brother ’ to everyone has been my career path since day one ,” says Williams … and that path began in the Artillery for him where he relied on his math skills to fire artillery shells at targets with pinpoint accuracy . That , and the words and phrases he learned in the German language classes he had at PCTI , led to his first overseas deployment in Germany , from 1986 to 89 .
Later deployments in the Army and then the National Guard would include 18 months in Korea where his unit helped secure the DMZ between North and South Korea ; volunteering for duty in Iraq and Kuwait in 2003 ; and returning to Iraq and Kuwait in 2008 .
“ I raised my hand and wanted to go ,” says
PHOTO COURTESY OF NEW JERSEY NATIONAL GUARD
CSM Ernest Williams Jr . of the New Jersey National Guard meets with General Bardhyl Kollcaku , chief of Defense for the Albania military . Sgt . Williams and the National Guard work closely with Albania , a NATO ally , training their soldiers and non-commissioned officers corp in leadership . The training takes place in the U . S . and Albania .
Williams about volunteering for Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 . “ They were looking for volunteers for a 186-man team to be a part of the first wave to go in there .”
In preparation for the deployment , Williams and his fellow team members were trained in Military Police tactics at Fort Dix , and then departed for Kuwait in January 2004 . Within days of their arrival , the team was transported to Baghdad , Iraq , where they worked with local police to protect the Iraqi people and carried out combat missions .
“ It was intense from the day we got there to the day we got to leave ,” says Williams who served as the platoon sergeant in a smaller 32-man unit . “ The level of threat was extremely high . We ran over 600 combat missions in the one year we were there . That was unheard of at the time and something we wouldn ’ t do in this day and era .”
Williams ’ platoon and a second platoon in the 186-man team each had two men killed in action , and many others wounded . “ Out of my guys , we had quite a few Purple Hearts presented ,” says Williams who received a Bronze Star for combat service in Iraq . “ Those guys are dear to my heart to this day . It ’ s a bond that can never be broken .”
In addition to his military deployments overseas , Williams also served the nation during 9 / 11 and hurricanes Andrew and Katrina .
“ When 9 / 11 hit , we were called into action . It was one of the first major call ups we [ New
Jersey National Guard ] had in a long time ,” he says . “ I was a young staff sergeant at the time and was assigned to security at Terminal B , Newark Airport , manning checkpoints and screening people . Our team had guys from several different agencies , including the Army , U . S . Border Patrol , and the New Jersey State Police . That gave me a sense of brotherhood because we all had a common goal — helping citizens .”
Similarly , responding to the needs of citizens who would lose homes and loved ones during hurricanes Andrew in Florida and Katrina in New Orleans would impact Williams , as well . “ The gratitude we received from citizens for helping them was immediate every day . They were so appreciative … it just warms your heart .”
Promoted to the rank of State Command Sergeant Major in 2017 , CSM Williams is a full-time , active duty member of the New Jersey National Guard .
“ It ’ s an honor and a privilege … and the best job in the world ,” he says , while crediting the team of soldiers , airmen and individuals around him . “ Having a great supporting cast got me to where I am today .” And giving back to the community , particularly Paterson and the surrounding area where he grew up , is paramount in CSM Williams ’ life as a U . S . Army veteran and a New Jersey National Guardsman .
“ As a boy , I always wanted to escape , travel , see the world and explore . The military has given me the opportunity to do that — meet different people , experience different cultures and speak different languages ,” he says . And sharing those experiences and “ the best career choice ” he could have made with local students is rewarding for Williams .
“ For me , it ’ s the most rewarding thing when I get the opportunity to go back to my neighborhood , talk to those kids and say to them that ‘ I am just like you … that I used to hang on the corner of that street right there .’” says Williams . “ Going back and doing that — I never turn those offers down .”
CSM Williams also speaks to disengaged young people who serve as cadets in the New Jersey Youth Challenge Academy . “ My passion is teaching ,” he says , “ and doing anything that ’ s going to help youth .”
During his 35-year career , CSM Williams never forgot his mother ’ s wish for him to earn a college degree . Although he did have to postpone it until 2018 , Williams earned two — a bachelor ’ s degree in Leadership and a master ’ s degree in Organizational Leadership Management . And like his mother ’ s hope for him , Williams expressed a similar path for his five children — three boys and two girls . ” My wife and I always wanted a better opportunity for the children . So , we gave them two options — join the military or go to college — but always work hard ,” he says . “ They chose college . But while they were in school , I got a call from two of my sons who attend the same college , saying they wanted to join the National Guard , too . It ’ s paid dividends for them , so far — both graduated and my younger son bought a house .”
Williams ’ third son is also about to join the National Guard . “ It ’ s become the family business , now ,” he says . “ I couldn ’ t ask anything more of them . As a dad , just graduating from college was enough .”
Williams and his wife have been married for 20 years and he says his family has always been his “ cornerstone ” of support . “ I ’ ve been home most of those years . But with soldiers deploying , it puts a lot of weight on the family . As I get older , I ’ ll do all the things a dad does with his kids . But for me , it will probably be with my grandkids .”
CSM Williams also intends to continue supporting veterans through speaking engagements and by participating in medal ceremonies . “ The Veterans Affairs Services in New Jersey are second to none ,” he says . “ I consider myself an average Joe . But getting the opportunity to have a conversation with a WWII veteran — what they ’ ve been through — and Vietnam and every era , is amazing to me . Supporting veteran agencies and veteran homes is something that everyone should be able to do .”