CSM (R) Sylvester L. Smith

Director of G-3/5/7 Noncommissioned Officer Leadership Center of Excellence

1973 – Present

Command Sergeant Major (Retired) Sylvester Smith enlisted into the United States Army in 1973 beginning his military career at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, where he received his Basic Combat Training. He served with distinction for 30 years dedicating the latter part of his career to enlisted education where his most             significant contributions to leader development were demonstrated during his tenures  (25 Years) as an Instructor, Senior Instructor, Company Commander, Interim USASMA CSM, Director of Strategic Plans, and ultimately the Director, G3/5/7. 

CSM (Retired) Smith hails from Emporia, Virginia and entered active duty in April 1973 as a Field Artilleryman. His assignments include Cannoneer and Howitzer Section Chief, 1st Battalion, 73rd Field Artillery, 18th Airborne Corps Artillery, Fort Bragg, NC. He transitioned to the Chemical Corps in 1979 and served as Battalion NBC NCO, 1st Battalion, 59th Air Defense Artillery, Wackernhiem, Germany; Recon Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant, and Operations Sergeant, 21st Chemical Company, 82d  Airborne  Division; First Sergeant, HHC 51st Maintenance Battalion, Mannheim Germany. He was a key leader in reactivating HHC, 83d Chemical Battalion at Fort Bragg in 1993 and later served as Battalion Operations Sergeant. He served as Instructor and Senior    Instructor in the Resource Management Division of the Sergeants Major Course, USASMA (Classes 46-48). He then went on to serve as the Chemical Sergeant Major and Special Troops Battalion Command Sergeant Major, V Corps, Heidelberg, Germany; Command       Sergeant Major, 84th Chemical Battalion, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. His tours    include Operation Provide Comfort, Silopi Turkey (1991) and Task Force Hawk, Tirana, Albania (1999). His last assignment was Commander, B Company, United States Army Sergeants Major Academy.

CSM (Retired) Smith's military education includes the Field Artillery Cannon and Chemical Basic Noncommissioned Officer Courses; Chemical Advanced NCO Course; Sergeants Major Course (Class 40); First Sergeants Course; Advanced Airborne School; Jumpmaster Course; Battle Staff Noncommissioned Officer Course; and the Master   Fitness Course. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management from Park University, a Master of Business Administration in General Management, a Master of Arts in Education, a Graduate Certificate in Instructional Systems Specialist, and a Graduate Certificate in Quality Management as a Six-Sigma Black Belt.

His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal  (4 OLC), Army Commendation Medal (5 OLC), Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Commander's Award for Civilian Service Medal, Senior Parachutist Badge.  He is married to the former Shirley Morrison and they have three children and the youngest is a Retired U.S Army First Sergeant.