Kenneth Preston
| Kenneth O. Preston | |
|---|---|
 Preston in 2010 | |
| Born |
February 18, 1957 Mount Savage, Maryland, U.S. |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America |
| Service/branch |
 United States Army |
| Years of service | 30 June 1975 - 30 August 2011 |
| Rank |
 Sergeant Major of the Army |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards |
Army Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star Meritorious Service Medal (4) Joint Service Commendation Medal Army Commendation Medal (4) Army Achievement Medal (3) |
Kenneth O. Preston (born February 18, 1957) is a former United States Army soldier who served as the Sergeant Major of the Army. He was sworn in as the 13th Sergeant Major of the Army on January 15, 2004. SMA Preston held a variety of leadership positions throughout his career ranging from Sergeant to Sergeant Major of the Army. He was the longest-serving Sergeant Major of the Army with more than 7 years in the position. He retired from the position of sergeant major of the Army on March 1, 2011 after nearly 36 years of service.
Early life and education
Preston is a native of Mount Savage, Maryland, and entered the U.S. Army on June 30, 1975. He attended Basic Training in A Company, 11th Training Battalion, 5th Training Brigade, Fort Knox, Kentucky and Armor Advanced Individual Training in D Company, 3rd Training Battalion, 1st Training Brigade Fort Knox, Kentucky graduating in October 1975.
Career
As sergeant major of the army, Preston served as the army chief of staff's personal adviser on all [soldier]-related matters, particularly in all areas affecting soldier manning, equipping, training, education and quality of life. These areas included growing an all-volunteer force across all three components of the Army by 100K during a time of war; fielding individual combat uniforms, body armor, weapons and up-armored vehicles; training leaders and their units for deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq; transitioning the noncommissioned officer education system at all levels to support an Army at war; advocated for dwell time between deployments and co-signed the Army Family Covenant with the Secretary of the Army and Chief of Staff of the Army.[1] He was routinely invited to testify before US Congress.
Throughout his 36-year career, he served in every enlisted leadership position from cavalry scout and tank commander to his position as sergeant major of the army. Other assignments he held as a command sergeant major were 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas, 3rd "Grey Wolf" Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, 1st Armored Division in Bad Kreuznach, Germany, and V Corps in Heidelberg, Germany. Immediately prior to his appointment as sergeant major of the army, he was the command sergeant major of Combined Joint Task Force 7 serving in Baghdad, Iraq.
His military education includes 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. His civilian education includes an Associate of Arts degree in vocational education and instruction from the University of Louisville and both a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and a Master of Business Administration degree from Trident University International.
Post-military career
August 2011 to Present, Preston volunteers as the co-chair of the Chief of Staff of the Army's Retired Soldier Counsel. The 14-member counsel works with the Army staff, supporting agencies and subject matter experts to review all recommendations and issues submitted from the field impacting retired soldiers and surviving spouses from the Army. The counsel prepares a final report with all recommendations for the Chief of Staff of the Army.
October 2011 to Present, Preston volunteers as a member the Board of Directors for Homes for Our Troops, a nonprofit organization with the mission to build and donate specially adapted homes to severely wounded veterans at no cost. Severely wounded veterans in need of a specially adapted home as qualified by the VA predominately spend all or part of their daily life in a wheelchair. Many of these veterans are young with young children. A specially adapted home allows the veteran total access to all rooms in the home to including a child's nursery, use of all kitchen and laundry facilities and garage to support their reintegration back into their family and their community.
May 2013 to Present, Preston serves as the Director of noncommissioned officer and soldier programs at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA). AUSA is the Army's professional educational association and serves as a voice for the Army and support for the soldier.
Awards and decorations
 |
Army Distinguished Service Medal |
  |
Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster |
 |
Bronze Star Medal |
 |
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters |
 |
Joint Service Commendation Medal |
 |
Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters |
 |
Army Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters |
 |
Joint Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf cluster |
 |
Meritorious Unit Commendation |
 |
Army Good Conduct Medal (12 awards) |
  |
National Defense Service Medal with service star |
 |
Southwest Asia Service Medal with bronze star |
 |
Kosovo Campaign Medal |
 |
Iraq Campaign Medal |
 |
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal |
 |
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal |
  |
NCO Professional Development Ribbon with award numeral 4 |
 |
Army Service Ribbon |
  |
Overseas Service Ribbon with award numeral 5 |
 |
NATO Medal for Kosovo |
 |
Kuwait Liberation Medal |
References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kenneth Preston. |
This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Government document "Sergeant Major of the Army Kenneth O. Preston".
- Sergeants Major of the Army. CMH Pub. 70-63-1. By CSM Daniel K. Elder, et al. Describes the origin and growth of the Office of the Sergeant Major of the Army. Includes biographies of each of the Sergeants Major of the Army.
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Jack L. Tilley |
Sergeant Major of the Army 2004—2011 |
Succeeded by Raymond F. Chandler |