Command Sergeant Major Philip F. Johndrow

Combined Arms Center

January 2007 – October 2011

Command Sgt. Maj. Philip F. Johndrow, a native of Hempstead, New York, enlisted into the United States Army as an armor crewman in 1979 beginning his military career at Fort Knox, Kentucky where he attended basic and advanced individual training. Over the course of the next 33 years, he devoted himself to the profession of arms training, leading, and developing not only himself, but the Soldiers and Noncommissioned Officers placed under his charge. He has served in every enlisted leadership position within the Armor Branch including serving as the command sergeant major at the squadron, brigade, division and corps level.

His most significant contributions to leader development and the Sergeants Major Academy were demonstrated while he was assigned as the command sergeant major of the Combined Arms Center, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Here he oversaw all of the Noncommissioned Officer Academies and personally traveled to each of the Centers of Excellence to ensure they had everything they needed to fulfill their duties within the NCO Education System. He also spearheaded the review of the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy course requirements by the Command and General Staff College to initiate a process that would allow the Academy to become a degree-issuing institution. This review determined USASMA needed to rewrite some of the curriculum and extend the course to include Joint Operations experience.

Command Sgt. Maj. Johndrow made a direct contribution to the growth and development of our most senior noncommissioned officers by personally selecting the faculty and spearheading the revamping of the School of Command Preparation Command Sergeants Major program. His work transformed the current program into one that developed a creative and critical-thinking Senior Enlisted Advisor to meet the needs of today’s Army. As the 1st Cavalry Division command sergeant major, Command Sgt. Maj. Johndrow demanded that only the best NCOs be selected to serve in Fort Hood’s NCO Academy. This ensured that the Army’s most junior leaders were being taught and mentored by the best, tested, and accomplished combat veterans. He also set up a rotational schedule for command sergeants major from his Division to speak at the graduation ceremonies.

Upon his graduation from the Sergeants Major Course (Class 51) where he was the recipient of the History Award and the John O. Marsh Award, Johndrow stayed an additional six months at the Academy. Working with the command historian, he researched historical matters concerning the Academy and the Army and helped to organize and establish a filing system for all historical documents.

Command Sgt. Maj. Johndrow continues to support Soldier education as the national director of Strategic Military and Veteran Relations for Trident University by assisting them to achieve their academic goals. He is also 360 Coach and Mentor for the Commanders and Command Sergeants Major at the School of Command Preparation.

His awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star with “V” device and two oak leaf clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal with “V” device and six oak leaf clusters, Recruiters Badge with three sapphires (earned the Recruiter’s Ring), Combat Action Badge and German Marksmanship Badge. He is also a recipient of the Order of Saint George and St. Barbara, as well as an honorary member of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club.