Directorate of Training and Education

Command Sergeant Major (Retired) Bill Ogletree enlisted in the Army as an Infantryman in 1981 and hails from Miami Florida.

He has held many positions during his career. He has served as a Fire Team Leader, Squad Leader, Detachment Sergeant, Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, Platoon Sergeant, Operations Sergeant, First Sergeant, Senior Enlisted Reserve Advisor, Sergeant Major, Command Sergeant Major, SMC Instructor, Director of Quality Assurance, Associate Professor, Department Chair, Director of Curriculum Development, and currently as the Director of Training and Education.

His assignments included the Berlin Brigade, Germany; 7th Infantry Division, Ft. Ord, CA; NTC, Ft. Irwin, CA; 19th SUPCOM, Korea; 1st Special Operations Command, Ft. Bragg, NC; JTF-Bravo, Honduras; 2nd Infantry Division, Korea; 3rd and 5th BCT Brigades, Ft. Dix, NJ; 21st TAACOM, Germany; 82nd Airborne Division, Ft. Bragg, NC; 77th RSC, New York City; 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Ft. Campbell, KY; and the NCO Leadership Center of Excellence and Sergeants Major Academy, Ft. Bliss, TX; In addition, CSM (R) Ogletree also had three combat tours during his military career.

Military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal (1 OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (5olc), Army Commendation Medal (3 olc), Army Achievement Medal (8 olc), Good Conduct Medal (9 awards), Iraq Campaign Medal, Army Occupation Medal (Berlin), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, GWOT Expeditionary Medal, GWOT Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Presidential Unit Citation (Army), Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Combat Action Badge, Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Air Assault Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, Driver and Mechanic badge (wheel and track), Drill Sergeant Identification Badge, Italian Parachutist Badge, French Parachutist Badge, British Parachutist Badge, French Commando Badge, German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (Gold), and the German Marksmanship Badge (Gold).

Civilian awards include the Meritorious Civilian Service Medal, Joint Civilian Service Commendation Medal, Commander’s Award for Civilian Service (2), Achievement Medal for Civilian Service, and the Master Army Instructor Badge.

He was also awarded the Order of Saint Christopher Medal by the Chief of Transportation and the Order of Saint Maurice by the Chief of Infantry. He is a member of both the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club and the Sergeant Morales Club.

His military education includes all levels of NCOPDS, Battle Staff NCO Course, First Sergeant Course, Drill Sergeant School, Airborne School, Air Assault School, Jungle Operations Training Course (Panama), Master Fitness Trainer’s Course, Light Leader’s Course, Jumpmaster Course, Rappel Master Course, Instructor Training Course, Senior Training Manager’s Course, Quality Assurance Evaluator’s Course, Joint Forces Staff College, Army Management Staff College, Army Force Management School, the Sergeants Major Course (Class 51), and the Command Sergeants Major Course.

His civilian education includes an Associate of Arts Degree from Central Texas College, a Bachelor of Science Degree from Excelsior College, a Master of Arts in Education, and an MBA in Strategic Leadership from TUI University. Mr. Ogletree is also a fellow of the MIT Sloan School of Business in the Executive Leadership Department and holds several graduate certificates.

In addition, Mr. Ogletree served as an Adjunct Professor of Business for Excelsior College and is an Assistant Professor of Education and Training Administration and Leadership (ETAL) for the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.

Mr. Ogletree currently lives in El Paso, Texas and is married with three adult daughters and five grandchildren.

Command Sergeant Major Lavender entered the Army on September, 2001. He attended One Station Unit Training at Fort Knox, KY where he earned the Military Occupation Skill of 19K, Tank Crewman. CSM Lavender has served in numerous leader positions from Tank gunner to Command Sergeant Major. His assignments include Tank Gunner/Commander, 1^st Battalion 12^th CAV, 1CD, Fort Hood, Texas; 2^nd Battalion 8^th CAV, 1CD; Small Group Instructor, Armor School NCO Academy, Fort Knox, KY; Tank Platoon Sergeant, 1^st Battalion 8^th CAV, FT. Hood TX; First Sergeant 1^st Battalion 9^th CAV; Chief Military Science Instructor, Texas A&M University, and CSM of 1-37 Armor. He currently serves as the CSM for the Directorate of Training and Education.

CSM Lavender, has deployed three times to Iraq, OIF-2, OIF-06-08, and Operation New Dawn. In 2013 he deployed to Afghanistan as part of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). He completed two rotations to the Republic of Korea in 2015 and 2018. Most recently he deployed to EUCOM in support of Operation Trident Resolve from 2023-2024.

CSM Lavender’s military education includes Sergeant Major Course, 1SG/CDRs Course, Senior Leader Course, Advance Leader Course, Primary Leadership Development Course.

CSM Lavender’s awards and decorations includes the Bronze star medal (1 OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (3 OLC), Army Commendation Medal (4 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (4 OLC), Army Good Conduct Medal (7^th award), National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal (4 Bronze service star), Afghanistan Campaign Medal (1 Bronze service star), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global war on Terrorism Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Ribbon (Numeral 5), Joint and Meritorious unit Award, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Combat Action Badge. CSM Lavender is also a recipient of the Order of Saint George (bronze).

CSM Lavender enjoys spending time with his 13-year-old daughter, Madelyn (Madi) Meshell Lavender.