Kenneth Preston

Kenneth O. Preston (born February 18, 1957) is a former sergeant major of the army in the United States. He was sworn in as the 13th sergeant major of the army on January 15, 2004. SMA Preston held a variety of leadership positions throughout his career ranging from cavalry scout to sergeant major and command sergeant major. He is the longest-serving sergeant major of the army. He retired from the army on March 1, 2011 after nearly 36 years of service.

Early life
Preston is a native of Mount Savage, Maryland, and entered the army on June 30, 1975. He attended Basic Training and Armor Advanced Individual Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

Military career
As sergeant major of the army, Preston served as the army chief of staff's personal adviser on all enlisted-related matters, particularly in areas affecting soldier training and quality of life, including the adoption of the new Army Service Uniform which phases out the Army Green Uniform in 2014. He was routinely invited to testify before Congress.

Throughout his 35-year career, he served in every enlisted leadership position from cavalry scout and tank commander to his position as sergeant major of the army. Other assignments he held as command sergeant major were 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas, 3rd "Grey Wolf" Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, 1st Armored Division in Bad Kreuznach, Germany, and V Corps in Heidelberg, Germany. Immediately prior to his appointment as sergeant major of the army, he was the command sergeant major of Combined Joint Task Force 7 serving in Baghdad, Iraq.

Education
His military education included Basic Noncommissioned Officer's Course, Advanced Noncommissioned Officer's Course, First Sergeant's Course, M1/M1A1 Tank Master Gunner Course, Master Fitness Trainer Course, Battle Staff Noncommissioned Officer's Course, and the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy. His civilian education includes an associate of arts degree in vocational education and instruction from the University of Louisville and both a bachelor of science degree in business administration and a master of business administration degree from Trident University.