Command Sgt. Maj. David S. Davenport Sr.

U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command

February 2015 – July 2018

Command Sergeant Major David S. Davenport Sr. is a native of Nashville, Tennessee. He entered the U.S. Army on 22 June 1983 at Fort Knox, Kentucky where he completed Basic Combat Training and Cavalry Scout Advanced Individual Training. He has served in every enlisted leadership position from cavalry scout and tank commander, to his last position as Command Sergeant Major of the Training and Doctrine Command.

CSM Davenport served in many distinguished organizations such as the 1st Armored Division; 1st U.S. Cavalry, 1st Battalion, 63rd Armor; and the 1st Infantry Division. There are two assignments, however, where his penchant for education came into focus. The first was as the Command Sergeant Major of U.S. Army Europe where he had direct oversight of the 7th Army Training Center and NCO Academy. As the Command Sergeant Major over the Army’s training enterprise at TRADOC, Davenport made NCO Professional Military Education his highest priority and ushered in revolutionary change not seen in more than 40 years.

CSM Davenport is the author and generator of change for the transition of the Army’s NCO Education System to the NCO Professional Development System. His numerous initiatives include leading the implementation of the NCO 2020 Strategy; renaming the Warrior Leader Course; redesigning the Basic Leader Course; creating the Leader Core Competencies; creating the Master Leader Course and adding it to NCO PME; creating an NCO writing program; instituting the Select, Train, Educate, Promote (STEP) system; establishing the Distributed Leader Course as a prerequisite to attend resident PME; and the pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in the Sergeants Major Course.

His military education includes all levels of NCOES as well as the Master Fitness Trainer Course, Jumpmaster First Sergeant Course and the Army Force Management School. He holds an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts, a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration.

His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal (2nd award), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (8th Award), Army Commendation Medal (6th award), National Defense Service Medal (2nd award), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (2nd award), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Korea Defense Service Medal. Command Sergeant Major Davenport is a member of the Excellence in Armor Program, the Order of the Spur; the Order of Saint George; the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club; and the Order of Saint Barbara.

He is a graduate of Sergeants Major Course Class 52.