Sgt. Maj. Russell Blackwell assumed duties as the senior enlisted leader of Headquarters, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Plans and Training, G-3/5/7, Strategic Operations Directorate, U.S. Army, the Pentagon, in November 2021. Previously, he was the garrison command sergeant major, Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He has deployed twice during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He has a master’s degree in international affairs from the University of North Georgia.