Command Sergeant Major Ronnie Strahan

USASMA Command Sergeant Major

23 July 1991 – 22 January 1995

Command Sergeant Major Ronnie Strahan served as the primary advisor to the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy Commandant from 23 July 1991 to 22 January 1995. As such, he advised the Commandant on all NCO professional leader development issues and the Command Sergeant Major Designee Course.

During his Army career, he held a wide variety of NCO leadership positions, including Artillery Section Sergeant to First Sergeant of HHC, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. He later served as the Command Sergeant Major of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command. CSM Strahan served two tours as an instructor, including one as the chief instructor at the University of Texas for the 3rd Reserve Officer Training Corps Region.

After completing Special Forces training, he served as the Command Sergeant Major of the Joint Special Operations Command, 3rd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group in Vietnam. He also served with a special mission unit in Washington, D.C., as well as other Special Forces assignments. During those assignments, he earned Parachutist badges from Belgium, Canada, Germany, Iran, Vietnam, and Tunisia.

CSM Strahan’s combat experience includes the Vietnam Counteroffensives II, III, IV, and V, as well as the Tet Counteroffensive. While he was in the Special Forces he participated in the raid on the Son Tay Compound in North Vietnam, for this he received the Silver Star.

His awards and decorations include the Silver Star, Legion of Merit (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Master Parachutist Badge, and the Air Assault Badge.