For nearly four decades, Sgt. Major Greg Dirks has served his country with the same intentional calm, leadership presence, and purpose that he brings every single day into the halls of L.C. Kerr Elementary School. After 38 years in the United States Army, Dirks now stands at the closing chapter of his military career, but his imprint throughout Sampson County’s schools continues to grow.
Dirks’ surprise recognition inside Clinton City Schools last week brought all of his worlds into one place at once. Leaders from Clinton City Schools, command leaders from his military units, friends he has served beside for decades, his church community, and his own family filled the room to honor him. Dirks described it as surreal. He said all four of his families came together at one time.
“You got your school or work family. You got your spiritual family. You have your military family. And most importantly the family you have at home,” Dirks said. “It was neat how all four of them intertwined on Friday. It was an absolute blessing.”
For CCS Superintendent Dr. Wesley Johnson, Dirks is the textbook example of what it means to be a leader in education.
“I really cannot say enough about Principal Dirks and the legacy that he has left in our community,” Johnson said. “He has been a testament to what a fine, upstanding educator should be. I look to him as a mentor, and I am so excited to call him one of my principals. I wish him all the best as he ends his military service.”
Lt. Col. Amanda Miller has served with Dirks inside the Army. She called him the very best senior leader she has ever worked alongside.
“Sgt. Major Dirks is honestly a model soldier,” Miller said. “He is true to his word. He is loyal. He embodies every Army value. He has made a difference in my life and in the life of every soldier who has served with him. I wish him the very best in his retirement.”
Colonels Ted Vick and Tim Connors shared similar words, noting that character and consistency have always defined Dirks’s walk in uniform and out of it.
“To meet a guy like Sgt. Major Dirks is to meet what we all want to be,” Vick said. “He has honor. He has integrity. He has never let me down. He cares for his troops just like he cares for his kids at school. He is a great American.”
Connors echoed that same truth.
“He demanded excellence,” Connors said. “He inherited a unit going through difficulty, and he put swagger back in it. He is one of the reasons I stayed in service so long. It is people like him.”
The moment that struck Dirks the deepest Friday came from his son Graham. Students and staff looked on as Graham stepped forward to play “Taps” for the first time in public to honor his father. Dirks said that moment hit him in a way he never expected.
“It was surreal,” Dirks said. “I have been gone so much in his life. For him to show respect to not only me but to the other veterans in that room, that was the capstone to the afternoon. I am sure I was not the only one shedding a few tears.”
Dirks said he has served faithfully for separate decades and under eight different presidents. His final military ceremonies will take place in January at Fort Dix. His wife already has claimed Nov. 7 as an annual day of rest moving forward.
But for Dirks, the most powerful part of last week was realizing the impact his service and leadership has left in this county. At L.C. Kerr today, he now teaches the grandchildren of kids he once taught at Lakewood. He said that is when it hit him how many lives have crossed his.
“They have enough faith in you to bring their children and now their children’s children back to your school,” Dirks said. “That tells me my heart has been in the right place. I wish every educator and every veteran could have the opportunity I had Friday. It was a blessing.”
When asked what he would want to say back to everyone who stood up to honor him, he kept it simple.
“It was very appreciated,” Dirks said. “It should not have just been about me. Every veteran in that room deserved the same gratitude. The service we provide to this great country is never unnoticed.”