William Gainey
Encyclopedia
William J. Gainey was the first Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman
of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (SEAC). He retired April 25, 2008 with the rank of Command Sergeant Major.
Gainey was the first Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
, a newly created position established to advise the Chairman on matters of professional development of enlisted personnel assigned to joint billets. Gainey was the first person selected to serve in this position beginning October 1, 2005.
Gainey enlisted in the Army under the Delayed Entry Program
in 1974 and entered basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky on 17 June 1975. Since then, he has served in a number of enlisted leadership positions, from gunner to Command Sergeant Major. He retired after 33 years of service to the nation on April 25, 2008.
Gainey's assignments include: Driver, Loader, Gunner, and Tank Commander in the 1st Battalion, 67th Armor (Tiger Brigade), 2nd Armored Division, Ft Hood, Tx.; Gunner, Tank Commander, and Platoon Sergeant in the 4th Battalion, 73rd Armored
, 1st Infantry Division, Böblingen
, Germany; Platoon Leader in the 2nd Battalion, 70th Armored, 24th Infantry Division, Fort Stewart
, Ga.; Drill Sergeant and Senior Drill Sergeant in the 19th Battalion, 4th Training Brigade, Ft Knox, Ky.; Platoon Sergeant and Operations Sergeant in the 3rd Battalion, 73rd Armor, 82nd Airborne Division, Ft Bragg, N.C.; Platoon Sergeant and First Sergeant in the 1st Battalion, 509th Infantry Airborne, Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC), Little Rock Air Force Base
, Ark.; Senior Enlisted Armor Advisor, Ft Jackson, S.C..
Gainey served as the Command Sergeant Major for the 2nd Battalion, 68th Armored Regiment, and 1st Battalion, 35th Armored Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division
, Baumholder
, Germany; Eagle Base, Bosnia and Herzegovina; 1st Squadron, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Polk
, La.; 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.; 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Polk, La.; The United States Army Armor Center, Fort Knox, Ky; and as the Command Sergeant Major for the III Corps and Fort Hood at Fort Hood, Texas.
Gainey served in Operation Joint Endeavor (IFOR), Operation Joint Guard (SFOR 3) and Operation Joint Forge (SFOR 8) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He served as the Command Sergeant Major for the Combined Joint Task Force 7
(CJTF-7) and as the Command Sergeant Major of the Multi-National Corps Iraq (MNC-I) in Operation Iraqi Freedom II.
Gainey attended numerous military schools and training programs to include: the Drill Sergeant School; Airborne School
; Jumpmaster School; Air Movement Officer's Course; Observer Controller Course; First Sergeants Course; Pathfinder School; and the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy
, Class 41. Gainey holds an Associate of Applied Science degree from Vincennes University
, a Bachelor of Science
degree in Business Administration from Touro University International
and is presently completing a Masters of Arts
degree in Education
from Trident University International.
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|Combat Action Badge
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|Master Parachutist Badge
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|Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge
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|Drill Sergeant Identification Badge
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|Pathfinder Badge
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|Expert Rifle Badge
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CSM Gainey is also a recipient of:
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|Gold Medallion of the Honorable Order of Saint George
, United States Armor Association
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|Siver Medallion of the Ancient Order of Saint Barbara
, Air Defense Artillery Association
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|German Armed Forces Badge of Marksmanship
(Schützenschnur in Bronze)
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|German Sports Badge
(Sportabzeichen in Bronze)
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Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman
Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman is a military position within the United States Department of Defense and is the most senior noncommissioned or petty officer overall in the United States Armed Forces...
of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (SEAC). He retired April 25, 2008 with the rank of Command Sergeant Major.
Gainey was the first Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is by law the highest ranking military officer in the United States Armed Forces, and is the principal military adviser to the President of the United States, the National Security Council, the Homeland Security Council and the Secretary of Defense...
, a newly created position established to advise the Chairman on matters of professional development of enlisted personnel assigned to joint billets. Gainey was the first person selected to serve in this position beginning October 1, 2005.
Gainey enlisted in the Army under the Delayed Entry Program
Delayed Entry Program
The Delayed Entry Program, also called the Delayed Enlistment Program, is a program where individuals going into active duty in the United States Armed Forces enlist first into the DEP before they ship out to Basic Training, or "boot camp". This is not a legally binding contract, but an agreement...
in 1974 and entered basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky on 17 June 1975. Since then, he has served in a number of enlisted leadership positions, from gunner to Command Sergeant Major. He retired after 33 years of service to the nation on April 25, 2008.
Gainey's assignments include: Driver, Loader, Gunner, and Tank Commander in the 1st Battalion, 67th Armor (Tiger Brigade), 2nd Armored Division, Ft Hood, Tx.; Gunner, Tank Commander, and Platoon Sergeant in the 4th Battalion, 73rd Armored
73rd Cavalry Regiment (United States)
The 73rd Cavalry Regiment is a Cavalry Regiment in the U.S. Army first formed in 1941.-History:The 4 squadrons of the 73rd Cavalry Regiment provide reconnaissance, surveillance, & target acquisition to the Brigade Combat Teams of the 82nd Airborne Division...
, 1st Infantry Division, Böblingen
Böblingen
Böblingen is a town in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, seat of Böblingen District. Physically Sindelfingen and Böblingen are continuous.-History:Böblingen was founded by Count Wilhelm von Tübingen-Böblingen in 1253. Württemberg acquired the town in 1357, and on 12 May 1525 one of the bloodiest battles...
, Germany; Platoon Leader in the 2nd Battalion, 70th Armored, 24th Infantry Division, Fort Stewart
Fort Stewart
Fort Stewart is a census-designated place and U.S. Army post primarily in Liberty County and Bryan County, but also extending into smaller portions of Evans, Long, and Tattnall Counties in Georgia, USA. The population was 11,205 at the 2000 census...
, Ga.; Drill Sergeant and Senior Drill Sergeant in the 19th Battalion, 4th Training Brigade, Ft Knox, Ky.; Platoon Sergeant and Operations Sergeant in the 3rd Battalion, 73rd Armor, 82nd Airborne Division, Ft Bragg, N.C.; Platoon Sergeant and First Sergeant in the 1st Battalion, 509th Infantry Airborne, Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC), Little Rock Air Force Base
Little Rock Air Force Base
Little Rock Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located approximately northeast of Little Rock, Arkansas.-Overview:...
, Ark.; Senior Enlisted Armor Advisor, Ft Jackson, S.C..
Gainey served as the Command Sergeant Major for the 2nd Battalion, 68th Armored Regiment, and 1st Battalion, 35th Armored Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division
1st Armored Division (United States)
The 1st Armored Division—nicknamed "Old Ironsides"—is a standing armored division of the United States Army with base of operations in Fort Bliss, Texas. It was the first armored division of the U.S...
, Baumholder
Baumholder
Baumholder is a town in the Birkenfeld district in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, in the Westrich, an historic region that encompasses areas in both Germany and France...
, Germany; Eagle Base, Bosnia and Herzegovina; 1st Squadron, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Polk
Fort Polk
Fort Polk is a United States Army installation located in Vernon Parish, approximately 7 miles east of Leesville, Louisiana and 20 miles north of DeRidder, Louisiana....
, La.; 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.; 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Polk, La.; The United States Army Armor Center, Fort Knox, Ky; and as the Command Sergeant Major for the III Corps and Fort Hood at Fort Hood, Texas.
Gainey served in Operation Joint Endeavor (IFOR), Operation Joint Guard (SFOR 3) and Operation Joint Forge (SFOR 8) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He served as the Command Sergeant Major for the Combined Joint Task Force 7
Combined Joint Task Force 7
Combined Joint Task Force 7 was the interim military formation that directed the U.S. effort in Iraq between June 2003 and May 2004. It replaced the Coalition Forces Land Component Command on 14 June 2003. CFLCC was the land forces component of United States Central Command that carried out the...
(CJTF-7) and as the Command Sergeant Major of the Multi-National Corps Iraq (MNC-I) in Operation Iraqi Freedom II.
Gainey attended numerous military schools and training programs to include: the Drill Sergeant School; Airborne School
United States Army Airborne School
The United States Army Airborne School — widely known as Jump School — conducts the basic paratrooper training for the United States armed forces. It is operated by the 1st Battalion , 507th Infantry, United States Army Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia...
; Jumpmaster School; Air Movement Officer's Course; Observer Controller Course; First Sergeants Course; Pathfinder School; and the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy
United States Army Sergeants Major Academy
The United States Army Sergeants Major Academy was established on July 1, 1972 at Fort Bliss, Texas, and began instruction in January 1973. Its curriculum is designed to broaden the student's current knowledge base...
, Class 41. Gainey holds an Associate of Applied Science degree from Vincennes University
Vincennes University
Vincennes University is a public university in Vincennes, Indiana, in the United States. Founded in 1801 as Jefferson Academy, VU is the oldest public institution of higher learning in Indiana. Since 1889, VU has been a two-year university, although baccalaureate degrees in seven select areas are...
, a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree in Business Administration from Touro University International
Touro University International
Trident University International , located in Cypress, California, is a for-profit university owned by Summit Partners. All courses are delivered online. Trident University is a former branch campus of Touro College, which was founded in 1970 in New York City, New York...
and is presently completing a Masters of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
degree in Education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
from Trident University International.
Awards and decorations
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List of Medals and Ribbons
- Army Distinguished Service Medal
- Defense Superior Service MedalDefense Superior Service MedalThe Defense Superior Service Medal is a senior United States military decoration of the Department of Defense, awarded to members of the United States armed forces who perform "superior meritorious service in a position of significant responsibility."...
- Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
(with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters) - Bronze StarBronze Star MedalThe Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
(with Valor deviceValor deviceThe Valor device is an award of the United States military which is a bronze attachment to certain medals to indicate that it was received for valor...
) - Meritorious Service MedalMeritorious Service Medal (United States)The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
(with 1 silver and 2 bronze Oak Leaf Clusters) - Army Commendation Medal (with 1 silver and 2 bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
- Army Achievement Medal (with Oak Leaf ClusterOak leaf clusterAn oak leaf cluster is a common device which is placed on U.S. Army and Air Force awards and decorations to denote those who have received more than one bestowal of a particular decoration. The number of oak leaf clusters typically indicates the number of subsequent awards of the decoration...
) - Army Good Conduct Medal (with a gold clasp with 1 loopGood Conduct LoopA Good Conduct Loop is an award of the United States Army which denotes additional decorations of the Army Good Conduct Medal. Good Conduct Loops were first created in 1941 and were based on the concept of the enlistment bar...
) - National Defense Service MedalNational Defense Service MedalThe National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower...
(with 2 service stars) - Armed Forces Expeditionary MedalArmed Forces Expeditionary MedalThe Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is a military award of the United States military, which was first created in 1961 by Executive Order of President John Kennedy...
(with 2 service stars) - Iraq Campaign MedalIraq Campaign MedalThe Iraq Campaign Medal is a military award of the United States armed forces which was created by Executive Order 13363 of President George W. Bush on November 29, 2004. The Iraq Campaign Medal was designed by the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry....
- Global War on Terrorism Service MedalGlobal War on Terrorism Service MedalThe Global War on Terrorism Service Medal is a military award of the United States military which was created by Executive Order 13289 of President George W. Bush on March 12, 2003...
- Armed Forces Service MedalArmed Forces Service MedalThe Armed Forces Service Medal is a military award of the United States military which was created on January 11, 1996 by President Bill Clinton under...
- NCO Professional Development Ribbon (with "4" award numeral)
- Army Service RibbonArmy Service RibbonThe Army Service Ribbon is a military decoration of the United States Army that was established by the Secretary of the Army on 10 April 1981 as announced in Department of the Army General Order 15, dated 10 October 1990....
- Army Overseas Service Ribbon (with "4" award numeral)
- NATO MedalNATO MedalThe NATO Medal is an international military decoration which is awarded to various militaries of the world under the authority of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization . It is manufactured by Eekelers - Centini, International, of Hemiksem, Belgium...
(with 2 service stars) - Joint Meritorious Unit AwardJoint Meritorious Unit AwardThe Joint Meritorious Unit Award is a military award that was established on June 4, 1981 by Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger and was implemented by Department of Defense Directive 1348.27 dated July 22, 1982...
- Army Superior Unit Award
Badges
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|Combat Action Badge
Combat Action Badge
The Combat Action Badge is a military badge worn in the U.S. Army. The emblem features both an M9 bayonet and M67 grenade. The Combat Action Badge may be awarded to any soldier after the date of September 18, 2001 performing duties in an area where hostile fire pay or imminent danger pay is...
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|Master Parachutist Badge
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|Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge
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|Drill Sergeant Identification Badge
Drill Sergeant Identification Badge
The Drill Sergeant Identification Badge is a military badge of the United States Army which was first issued on January 15, 1958. It is also nicknamed the "pumpkin" patch due to its appearance when worn in the non-subdued pin-on version and in the color sew-on version worn before insignia was...
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|Pathfinder Badge
Pathfinder Badge (United States)
The Pathfinder Badge is a military badge of the United States Army awarded to soldiers who successfully complete the U.S. Army Pathfinder School at Fort Benning, Georgia...
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|Expert Rifle Badge
Weapons Qualification Badge
A Marksmanship Qualification Badge is a military badge of the United States Army and United States Marine Corps which is presented to service members upon successful completion of a weapons qualification course. They are issued in the three grades : Expert, Sharpshooter, and Marksman...
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CSM Gainey is also a recipient of:
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|Gold Medallion of the Honorable Order of Saint George
Saint George Award
The Saint George Award, formally the Order of Saint George Medallion, is the top award given to members of the Army's mounted force by the United States Armor Association of the United States Army...
, United States Armor Association
United States Armor Association
The United States Armor Association is a non-profit organization with over 6,000 members dedicated to disseminating knowledge of the military art and sciences, with special attention to mobility in ground warfare.-History:...
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|Siver Medallion of the Ancient Order of Saint Barbara
Order of Saint Barbara
Order of Saint Barbara is a military honor society of the US for both the US Army and the US Marine Corps Artillery, including field artillery and Air Defense Artillery.The award is named for Saint Barbara, the patron saint of artillerymen...
, Air Defense Artillery Association
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Foreign decorations and awards
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|German Armed Forces Badge of Marksmanship
German Armed Forces Badge of Marksmanship
The German Armed Forces Badge for Weapons Proficiency is a decoration of the Bundeswehr, the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany....
(Schützenschnur in Bronze)
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|German Sports Badge
German Sports Badge
The German Sports Badge is a decoration of the German Olympic Sports Federation DOSB, of the Federal Republic of Germany...
(Sportabzeichen in Bronze)
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