CPT Payne’s assignments include Rifle Platoon Leader, Mortar Platoon Leader, Company XO and assistant S3 while assigned to 2nd Battalion 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment 82nd Airborne Division (2004-2008). From 2008 through 2011 CPT Payne served as a company commander while assigned to 1st Battalion 320th Infantry Regiment 98th Division. CPT Payne mobilized to Ft. Jackson, SC in March 2011 to serve as a BCT Company Commander in the 1-61st Infantry Battalion. CPT Payne’s awards include the Army Commendation Medal (OLC), Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, Army Service Medal, Expert Infantry’s Badge and the Army Parachutist Badge.
First Sergeant Thomas E. Bergami, is a native of Brooklyn, New York. He enlisted in the United States Army in November 1987 as a Mechanized Infantryman. He completed Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Benning, Georgia.
1SG Bergami has served in a variety of Army assignments and duty positions during his tenure on Active Duty; which have included service as an M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle Driver, Bradley Fighting Vehicle Gunner, Dragon Gunner, Rifleman at Fort Hood, Texas, Intelligence Analyst stationed at Freidburg, Germany “Ray Barracks”; Team Leader at Fort Carson, Colorado. 1SG Bergami is a combat veteran with service in Operations Desert Shield/Storm. During his tenure as a Reserve Soldier, 1SG Bergami served with distinction as a Squad Leader at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, Platoon Sergeant, for the Illinois National Guard, Observer Controller and Detachment Sergeant for the 75th Division, Houston, Texas and Company First Sergeant for the 108th Training Division, Beaver, WV. First Sergeant Bergami has been mobilized on two deployments, one as a Reception Battalion First Sergeant at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, from October 2001 to Sept 2002. He is currently assigned as the E Co, First Sergeant for 1/61 Infantry Regt (IET), Fort Jackson, SC.
His military education spans four levels of the Non-Commissioned Officer Education System. First Sergeant Bergami is a graduate of the Primary Leadership Development Course in Baumholder, Germany, Basic Noncommissioned Officers Course, Advanced Non-Commissioned Officers Course and the First Sergeant Course. He is also a graduate of the Conventional Physical Security Course, Mobilization Planner Course, Combat Lifesavers Course, Company Trainer Course, Anti-Terrorism Program Manager Course, Middle Eastern Cultural Integration Course and Administrative Specialist School.
1SG Bergami's civilian career occupation is in Federal Law Enforcement. He is a 19 year veteran of the Federal Bureau of Prisons and began his career as an entry level Correctional Officer in the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York. 1SG Bergami held positions of increased responsibilities to include Lieutenant, Deputy Captain and Captain at the United States Penitentiary in Hazelton, West Virginia. He currently serves as an Assistant Correctional Services Administrator in the Mid-Atlantic Regional Office, Annapolis Junction, Maryland.
His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal (4th OLC), Army Achievement Medal (3th OLC), Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, South West Asian Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Medal (3), Armed Forces Reserve Achievement Medal (4 OLC), Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (6 OLC) Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait), Combat Infantryman Badge and Driver Badge Tank.