Kenneth Preston - Military Career

Military Career

As Sergeant Major of the Army, Preston served as the Army Chief of Staff's personal adviser on all enlisted-related matters, particularly in areas affecting soldier training and quality of life, including the adoption of the new Army Service Uniform which phases out the Army Green Uniform in 2014. He was routinely invited to testify before Congress.

Throughout his 35-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 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.

Preston served as the 13th Sergeant Major of the Army from January 15, 2004, until his retirement March 1, 2011.