SMA (USA, Retired) Kenneth o. Preston- Director

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

SMA (Retired) Preston is a native of Mount Savage, Md. He entered the Army on June 30, 1975.  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 the Combined Joint Task Force 7 serving 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 Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Master of Business Administration degrees from Trident University International.

SMA(Retired) Preston is married to the former Karen Smith and they have three children and eight grandchildren.

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