NCO Panel: Training, Educating and Progressive Development of our Soldiers for Today and Tomorrow

NCO Panel: Training, Educating and Progressive Development of our Soldiers for Today and Tomorrow

Tuesday, March 27, 2018 to Tuesday, March 27, 2018

SMA Kenneth O. Preston, USA Ret

Ken Preston

Sergeant Major of the Army Kenneth O. Preston served as the 13th Sergeant Major of the Army from January 15, 2004 to March 1, 2011. He retires as the longest serving Sergeant Major of the Army with more than seven years in the position.

As Sergeant Major of the Army, Preston served as the Army Chief of Staff's personal adviser on all Soldier and Family related matters, particularly areas affecting Soldier training and quality of life. He devoted the majority of his time in this position to traveling throughout the Army serving as a force provider overseeing Soldier and unit training, manning and equipping challenges, and talking to Soldiers and their Families to understand their personal hardships and challenges.

Preston is a native of Mount Savage, Md. He entered the Army on June 30, 1975. He attended Basic Training and Armor Advanced Individual Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

Throughout his 36-year career, he served in every enlisted leadership position from cavalry scout and tank commander to his final position as Sergeant Major of the Army. Other assignments he held as a command sergeant major were with the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division; 3rd "Grey Wolf" Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division; 1st Armored Division in Bad Kreuznach, Germany; and V Corps in Heidelberg, Germany.

His most recent assignment prior to serving as the 13th Sergeant Major of the Army was as the command sergeant major for Combined Joint Task Force 7 in Baghdad, Iraq.

His military education includes the Basic Noncommissioned Officer's Course, Advanced Noncommissioned Officer's Course, First Sergeant's Course, M1/M1A1 Tank Master Gunner Course, Master Fitness Trainer Course, Battle Staff Noncommissioned Officer's Course, and the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy. Preston holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Trident University International.

His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Meritorious Service Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Good Conduct Medal 11th award, National Defense ribbon with bronze star, the Southwest Asia Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War  on Terrorism Service Medal, the NCOES Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon 5th award, the NATO Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Government of Kuwait), the Joint Meritorious Unit Award with bronze star, Army Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Department of the Army Staff Badge.

He and his wife Karen have 3 adult children Valarie, Kenneth Jr., Michael, and 8 grandchildren.

CSM David Turnbull

CSM David Turnbull

Command Sergeant Major, United States Army Combined Arms Center

Command Sgt. Maj. Turnbull enlisted in the Army in August 1984 as an Infantryman from Boston, Massachusetts.

After completion of Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training at Ft. Benning, Ga., he was assigned to the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard).

Command Sgt. Maj. Turnbull has served in every key leadership position in the Infantry from Team Leader to Command Sergeant Major. His assignments include 5/20th Infantry, 2nd Infantry Division, Camp Casey, Korea, 2/22nd Infantry,10th Mountain Division, Ft. Drum, N.Y., 2nd Ranger Battalion, Ft. Lewis, Wash., where he served as Squad Leader through Bravo Company First Sergeant, as well as Detachment Sergeant, 75th Ranger Regimental Reconnaissance Detachment, (RRD), Ft. Benning, Ga. Command Sgt. Maj. Turnbull participated in Operation Restore Democracy in the Republic of Haiti and Operation Safe Haven in the Republic of Panama with the Ranger Regiment.

Upon graduation from the Sergeants Major Course, in 2001, Command Sgt. Maj. Turnbull served as the Operations Sergeant Major for 3/21 Infantry, SBCT, Ft. Lewis, Wash., he was then assigned as the Command Sergeant Major of 1/501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, Ft. Richardson, Alaska. He deployed with the Task Force to Afghanistan from October 2003 to August 2004 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In January 2005, he was selected as the Brigade Command Sergeant Major for the newly activating 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) 25th Infantry Division, Ft. Richardson, Alaska. Command Sgt. Maj. Turnbull deployed with the Spartan Brigade for fourteen months to Iraq from October 2006 to December 2007. From 2008 until 2012 he served as the Command Sgt. Maj. US Army Alaska. In July 2012, he was selected as the Command Sgt. Maj. for Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region/ U.S. Army Military District of Washington where he served until March 2015.

Command Sgt. Maj. Turnbull’s military education includes all noncommissioned officer education system courses. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy (class 52). His additional military training include the First Sergeant Course, Ranger School, Airborne School, Military Free Fall Parachutist Course, Jumpmaster School, SERE School, Air Assault School, Pathfinder School, and the (Keystone) Command Senior Enlisted Course, Command Sgt. Maj. Turnbull’s civilian education includes a Bachelor of Science degree from Excelsior College.

Command Sgt. Maj. Turnbull’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit w/2 OLCs, Bronze Star Medal w/OLC, Meritorious Service Medal w/3 OLCs, Army Commendation Medal w/3 OLCs, Army Achievement Medal w/2 OLCs, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Army Superior Unit Award w/OLC, Army Good Conduct Medal (10th award), National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal w/1 star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal w/1 star, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (4th award), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (4th award), Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Military Freefall Parachutist Badge and Air Assault Badge.

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