Command Sergeant Major
Robert S. Abbott

Command Sergeant Major Robert S. Abbott was born in Waukon, Iowa on April 23, 1941. He entered the Army in 1958, and spent the first 16 years of his career supporting engineer equipment while honing his technical, tactical, and leadership skills.

Upon his transfer to Ordnance in 1974, he worked at the Ordnance School where he revised efficiency tests for students at the School, and later had responsibility for the training and welfare of a 500-man Advanced Individual Training company as First Sergeant. Following graduation from the Sergeants Major Academy in 1978, he served a tour in Germany as a First Sergeant of a maintenance company and then as Command Sergeant Major of a maintenance battalion.

His most significant service to Ordnance began in 1983 when he was selected by Brigadier General Rozier to be the first Regimental Command Sergeant Major for the U.S. Army Ordnance Center and School.

During his tenure, he oversaw the establishment and accreditation of the Ordnance Noncommissioned Officer Academy, the first non-combat arms academy in the Army. He then focused his energy on creating additional positions for sergeants major within the Corps to help revitalize the progression of Ordnance soldiers. He took a vital interest in the Master Mechanic Program, the Regimental Affiliation Program, and in the quality of life for Ordnance soldiers and their families. He is also the first enlisted person to serve as a member of the Ordnance Hall of Fame Selection Board.

Sergeant Major Abbott retired in 1988, and has served since May 12, 1989 as the Honorary Sergeant Major of the Ordnance Corps.