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Kenneth Preston
Kenneth Preston
Kenneth Preston
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Kenneth O. Preston (born February 18, 1957) is a retired 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. Preston served 7 years and 2 months as Sergeant Major of the Army (January 2004-March 2011) making him the longest serving Sergeant Major of the Army to date.

Key Information

Early life and education

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Preston is a native of Mount Savage, Maryland, and entered the United States 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.

Military career

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Preston at Kirkuk Air Base in August 2004.

Throughout his 36-year career, Preston 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.

As Sergeant Major of the Army, Preston served as the personal adviser to the Chief of Staff of the United States Army 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 100,000 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.

Preston's 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. 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

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Preston speaks at an Association of the United States Army breakfast in 2019

Since August 2011, Preston has volunteered 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.

Preston also volunteers as a member the Board of Directors for Homes for Our Troops since October 2011. Home for Our Troops is 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 predominantly 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.

Preston has served as the Vice President of noncommissioned officer and soldier programs at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) since May 2013. AUSA is the Army's professional educational association and serves as a voice for the Army and support for the soldier.

Awards and decorations

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Expert Marksmanship Badge with Rifle and Pistol bars
Army Staff Identification Badge
11th Armored Cavalry Regiment Combat Service Identification Badge
10th Cavalry Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia
3 Overseas Service Bars
12 Service stripes
Army Distinguished Service Medal
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster
Bronze Star Medal
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Army Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Meritorious Unit Commendation
Army Good Conduct Medal (11 awards)
Bronze star
 National Defense Service Medal with service star
Southwest Asia Service Medal
Kosovo Campaign Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
NCO Professional Development Ribbon with bronze award numeral 4
Army Service Ribbon
Overseas Service Ribbon with award numeral 5
NATO Medal for Kosovo
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)

References

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Kenneth Preston

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from Grokipedia
Kenneth O. Preston (born February 18, 1957) is a retired who served as the 13th , the senior enlisted advisor to the , from January 15, 2004, to March 1, 2011—the longest tenure in the position's history. A native of Mount Savage, Maryland, Preston enlisted in the Army on June 30, 1975, and completed 36 years of active duty, advancing through key leadership roles such as for units including the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, the 1st Armored Division, and Combined Joint Task Force 7 in , . During his time as , he focused on improving training, quality of life, and the corps, including leading the Army's shift to a modular force structure, revamping the Sergeants Major Course, and establishing programs like Structured Self-Development and the Army Career Tracker. Preston's decorations include the Army Distinguished Service Medal, with , , and Meritorious Service Medal, reflecting his contributions to enlisted leadership and operational effectiveness. Following retirement, he has held positions such as president of Homes for Our Troops and director of NCO and Soldier Programs at the Association of the .

Personal Background

Early Life

Kenneth O. Preston was born on February 18, 1957, in Mount Savage, , a small unincorporated community in Allegany County. As a native of Mount Savage, Preston grew up in this rural region of before enlisting in the United States Army on June 30, 1975, at age 18.

Family and Upbringing

Kenneth O. Preston was born on February 18, 1957, and grew up in Mount Savage, an unincorporated community in , characterized by its rural, mountainous setting and farm-based economy. As the oldest of four children, Preston experienced a sheltered childhood centered on work, which instilled early values of discipline and responsibility in a close-knit household. His family maintained a longstanding military tradition, with both parents having served in the U.S. Army and , his grandfather as a infantryman ("doughboy"), and his great-great-grandfather in the Union Army during the Civil War; this heritage significantly influenced Preston's decision to pursue a military career. Preston excelled academically in high school, particularly in mathematics, history, and foreign languages, graduating from Mount Savage High School in 1975 with aspirations for higher education, though financial considerations led him to enlist in the Army to access the Montgomery GI Bill for future tuition support.

Military Service

Enlistment and Initial Training

Kenneth O. Preston enlisted in the United States Army on June 30, 1975, as a volunteer from his native Mount Savage, Maryland. Following enlistment, Preston underwent Basic Combat Training and Armor Advanced Individual Training at , , where he received instruction in armored vehicle operations and related skills essential for roles such as tank crewman or . This initial training equipped him for his early assignments in armored cavalry units, emphasizing marksmanship, vehicle maintenance, and tactical maneuvers in armored reconnaissance.

Key Assignments and Deployments

Preston's early assignments following initial training included service as a crewman and with the 2nd Battalion, 8th Regiment, 1st Division at Fort Hood, , beginning in 1975. He advanced through roles, including and positions within armored units, gaining experience in gunnery, , and in mechanized operations. As a , Preston held key leadership positions starting with the 3rd Battalion, , 1st Division, Fort Hood, , where he oversaw enlisted training and operational readiness for armored infantry battalions. In August 1998, he assumed the role of for the 3rd "Greywolf" , 1st Division, Fort Hood, , managing brigade-level enlisted matters during a period of force structure changes. Subsequent assignments included for the 1st Division, III at Fort Hood, , and the U.S. Training and Doctrine Command at , , where he influenced doctrine development and NCO professional education reforms. Preston participated in combat deployments during Operation Desert Storm in 1990–1991 as part of the 1st Cavalry Division's operations in Southwest Asia. He later deployed to in October–November 2002 in preparation for the Iraq invasion, launching operations on March 19, 2003, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Additional service in included assignment with Combined Joint Task Force 7 in , focusing on multinational force coordination and enlisted welfare in theater.

Tenure as Sergeant Major of the Army

Kenneth O. Preston was sworn in as the 13th Sergeant Major of the Army on January 15, 2004. He held the position until March 1, 2011, serving more than seven years and establishing a record as the longest-tenured SMA. In this role, Preston served as the principal enlisted advisor to the Chief of Staff of the Army on all issues related to the policies, plans, and programs affecting enlisted Soldiers, with a particular emphasis on quality of life, morale, and professional development. His tenure overlapped with intensified U.S. military operations in and , prompting a focus on sustaining enlisted readiness and family support amid high operational tempos. Preston advocated for infrastructure improvements, including the modernization of for both trainees and permanent-party Soldiers, and testified before in February 2008 on these quality-of-life enhancements. He conducted extensive visits to units and installations globally, such as a trip to Korea in December 2010, to directly engage with enlisted personnel and assess frontline conditions. Preston spearheaded reforms to the noncommissioned officer (NCO) promotion and selection system, centralizing the process to enable Command to base decisions on comprehensive performance data rather than localized inputs alone. In 2009, he supported changes to the junior enlisted promotion system, eliminating subjective and board points and reallocating emphasis to objective criteria like tests, weapons qualifications, and correspondence courses. These adjustments aimed to promote excellence and merit-based advancement within the NCO . Under Preston's guidance, the "Year of the NCO" initiatives advanced the transformation of the NCO Education System (NCOES) and introduced tools like the Career Tracker to better manage enlisted career progression and . He reflected on the 's during his service, including the adoption of modular brigade combat teams and enhanced equipping, which contributed to improved operational effectiveness. Preston's extended tenure allowed for sustained influence on enlisted policies during a period of significant transformation and wartime demands.

Post-Military Contributions

Retirement and Transition

Preston retired from active duty on March 1, 2011, after 36 years of service, having served as the 13th from January 15, 2004, in the longest tenure for the position since its creation in 1966. His retirement ceremony occurred at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, , presided over by General , Chief of Staff of the Army, who presented Preston with the Army Distinguished Service Medal in recognition of his contributions to the enlisted force. In his remarks, Preston thanked his wife Karen, family, mentors, and the broader community, emphasizing the service's global deployments to over 80 countries, liberation efforts aiding 50 million people, and institutional transformations amid ongoing conflicts in and . Casey highlighted Preston's role in bolstering the corps, promoting resilience among soldiers and families, and fostering a culture of accountability and professionalism. The event also marked the swearing-in of Sergeant Major as the 14th later that day at . Post-retirement, Preston focused on advisory and supportive roles for , drawing on his experience to aid in veteran integration and soldier development programs. In June 2013, he assumed the position of director of and soldier programs at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA), succeeding Jack Tilley in facilitating initiatives for enlisted career enhancement and family readiness. This role represented a direct extension of his SMA advocacy into civilian advocacy, emphasizing practical support for transitioning service members without specified gaps in employment during the initial two-year period after retirement.

Leadership in Veteran Organizations

Following his retirement from the U.S. Army on March 1, 2011, after serving as the 13th , Kenneth O. Preston transitioned into leadership positions within several veteran-focused organizations, leveraging his extensive enlisted experience to advocate for soldiers, veterans, and their families. In June 2013, he joined the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) as director of (NCO) and soldier programs, where he focused on enhancing professional development, leadership training, and support for active-duty enlisted personnel and veterans through initiatives like educational resources and policy advocacy. Preston continues to serve as a senior fellow at AUSA, contributing to events, publications, and strategic guidance on enlisted matters, including co-authoring Breaching the Summit: Leadership Lessons from the U.S. Military's Best and Brightest NCOs in 2021 to disseminate practical leadership principles derived from NCO experiences. Preston also assumed a prominent role at Homes For Our Troops (HFOT), a nonprofit dedicated to building specially adapted, mortgage-free homes for severely injured post-9/11 veterans to promote independence and recovery. He serves as president and a director on the HFOT board, overseeing operations that have delivered over 400 custom homes since the organization's founding, with nominations sourced from the Department of for veterans classified as severely disabled. Under his involvement, HFOT emphasizes practical adaptations like single-level designs and accessible features, addressing gaps in standard VA housing support for amputees and those with traumatic brain injuries. Additionally, Preston holds board positions with the (USO), which provides morale, welfare, and recreation programs for service members and s worldwide, and the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) at , supporting veteran entrepreneurship, career transition, and family resilience through evidence-based programs. These roles underscore his commitment to post-service welfare, including advocacy for benefits updates and homeless veteran initiatives, as evidenced by his participation in events like the Retired Sergeants Major of the Army visits and AUSA chapters.

Recognition and Legacy

Awards and Decorations

Preston received the Army Distinguished Service Medal upon his retirement on March 1, 2011, in recognition of exceptionally meritorious service as the 13th . He was awarded the twice, including a second award with bronze for meritorious conduct in a non-combat position. His other personal decorations include the , Army Meritorious Service Medal with three , Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with three , and Army Achievement Medal with two . Preston also earned multiple service and campaign medals, such as the Army Good Conduct Medal (11th award), National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, and Overseas Service Ribbon (5th award). Additional foreign and unit awards include the NATO Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait), Joint Meritorious Unit Award with one bronze oak leaf cluster, and Army Meritorious Unit Commendation. He wore the Department of the Army Staff Identification Badge.

Influence on Army Enlisted Corps

As the 13th from January 15, 2004, to March 1, 2011—the longest tenure in the position—Kenneth O. Preston served as the senior enlisted advisor to the Army Chief of Staff, focusing on enlisted personnel matters including training, leader development, quality of life, and discipline. In this capacity, he advocated for the enlisted corps during a period of major Army transformation into a modular brigade-based force to support ongoing operations in and , emphasizing the (NCO) as the backbone of unit readiness and effectiveness. Preston drove significant reforms in NCO professional development through the overhaul of the Noncommissioned Officer Education System (NCOES). He established the Warrior Leader Course for junior NCOs, restructured the Basic and Advanced NCO Courses into the more advanced and Advanced Leader Course, and extended the Sergeants Major Course to 10 months to incorporate elements from the Command and General Staff College curriculum. Additionally, he centralized NCO promotion and selection processes under the Human Resources Command to standardize evaluations and improve merit-based advancement. A cornerstone of his influence was the 2009 "Year of the NCO" initiative, co-signed by leadership, which prioritized NCO recognition and development with targeted programs such as the introduction of the Army Career Tracker for individualized and Structured Self-Development for ongoing . These efforts enhanced enlisted training accessibility and leadership skills, contributing to higher retention and operational performance amid force expansions that added over 74,000 Soldiers by 2009. Preston also championed enlisted quality of life improvements, including the 2007 Army Family Covenant, which committed resources to housing, childcare, and spouse employment support, alongside expansions in Family Readiness Groups and the Yellow Ribbon Program for Reserve and Guard families. He incorporated Soldier feedback into equipment upgrades, such as the and Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected vehicles, and promoted specialized badges like the Expert Infantry Badge to recognize advanced skills. His tenure's legacy includes sustained enhancements to enlisted leader development and resilience, with ongoing NCOES structures and tools like the Army Career Tracker continuing to shape the force; this impact was acknowledged in 2021 when he became the first NCO to receive the Association of the Army's George Catlett Marshall Memorial Medal for his contributions to Soldiers and families.

References

  1. https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/AD1120441.pdf
  2. https://www.ausa.org/people/sma-kenneth-preston-usa-ret
  3. https://www.ncolcoe.army.mil/About-Us/Hall-of-Honor/SMA-Kenneth-O-Preston/
  4. https://www.afba.com/leadership/kenneth-o-preston/
  5. https://www.ausa.org/army/13th-sma-kenneth-o-preston
  6. https://www.army.mil/article/52612/preston_retires_after_record_sma_stint
  7. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GOVPUB-D114-PURL-gpo42001/pdf/GOVPUB-D114-PURL-gpo42001.pdf
  8. https://www.army.mil/article/18475/sergeant_major_of_army_offers_advice_at_fort_leavenworth
  9. https://www.army.mil/article/54007/preston_has_left_the_building_the_longest_serving_sma_retires
  10. https://www.hfotusa.org/mission/board/preston/
  11. https://cgsc.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/api/collection/p15040coll2/id/4861/download
  12. https://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient/recipient-144049/
  13. https://www.ausa.org/articles/sma-preston-joins-ausa-staff
  14. https://www.flagandbanner.com/radio-show/ken-preston-163.asp
  15. https://www.army.mil/article/51485/longest_serving_sma_says_goodbye
  16. https://ivmf.syracuse.edu/team-member/kenneth-o-preston/
  17. https://www.army.mil/article/52234/sma_preston_reflects_on_armys_growth
  18. https://www.army.mil/article/7341/sma_to_congress_army_improving_quality_of_life
  19. https://www.army.mil/article/48813/sma_preston_visits_korea
  20. https://www.army.mil/article/45850/sma_talks_nco_promotions_striving_for_excellence
  21. https://www.ausa.org/articles/five-tips-smooth-transition-how-prepare-your-second-career
  22. https://www.amazon.com/Breaching-Leadership-Lessons-Kenneth-Preston/dp/1612008712
  23. https://www.army.mil/article/78354/retired_sgm_of_the_army_finds_a_passion_in_building_homes_for_severely_disabled_warriors
  24. https://breachingthesummit.wordpress.com/ken-preston/
  25. https://www.facebook.com/WSMissileRange/posts/retired-sergeant-majors-of-the-army-visit-wsmrthree-retired-sergeant-majors-of-t/1128124559357840/
  26. https://www.ausa.org/gen-william-c-westmoreland-chapter/events/westmoreland-chapter-veterans-day-dinner-0
  27. https://www.army.mil/article/52668/preston_retires_after_record_sma_stint
  28. https://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient/recipient-144049/recipient-144049-4lom-1/
  29. https://www.army.mil/article/31792/looking_back_on_the_year_of_the_nco
  30. https://www.ausa.org/news/retired-sma-kenneth-preston-receives-marshall-medal
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