Command Sergeant Major Cynthia A. Pritchett

Combined Forces-Afghanistan

May 2004–April 2006

Command Sgt. Maj. Cynthia A. Pritchett is a native of Concord, New Hampshire, where she entered the Army on July 2, 1973, as a supply specialist. During her career, she served in a variety of leadership positions, including squad leader; section sergeant; platoon sergeant; operations sergeant; first sergeant; battalion command sergeant major; installation command sergeant major; Student, Staff and Faculty Battalion command sergeant major at the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy; and as the command sergeant major of the Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Command Sgt. Maj. Pritchett has also served as a drill sergeant, Army recruiter and instructor at USASMA.

Command Sgt. Maj. Pritchett has been an integral part of noncommissioned officer development. She served on the Army Training and Leader Development panel, which conducted a comprehensive study of NCO Education System structure and transformation.

While serving as the Combined Arms Center command sergeant major, she helped shift the focus of Warrior Tasks and Battle Drills to adapt to the combat role of Soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. She served on the Objective Force Study Group that determined what the 21st century Soldier needed to “be, know and do.”

Command Sgt. Maj. Pritchett served as an instructor for the resident and nonresident Sergeant Major Course before becoming the battalion commander for the Student, Staff and Faculty battalion. Her knowledge of institutional learning resulted in an educational paradigm shift for the Battle Staff NCO Course. She transformed the course into one that develops Soldiers who think critically. This helped provide qualified battle staff NCOs to the Army’s forces. Her foresight and experience led to the eventual transformation of the Sergeant Major Course curriculum and the Command Sergeant Major Designee Course offered at Fort Leavenworth.

Command Sgt. Maj. Pritchett is a member of the U.S. Army Europe Sergeant Morales Club and was awarded the Distinguished Order of Saint Martin. On August 24, 2001, she was awarded the Distinguished Order of Saint Maurice by the U.S. Army Infantry Center and School at Fort Benning, Georgia.

From May 9, 2004, to April 5, 2006, Command Sgt. Maj. Pritchett was the principal advisor to the commander of Combined Forces Command-Afghanistan. She assisted the commander in managing this demanding theater of operations, which involved a full-spectrum effort, from tactical engagement to reconstruction of the country.

Her last assignment was as the senior enlisted leader for the U.S. Army Element of United States Central Command, where she retired March 1, 2010, culminating more than 36 years of service.