CSM Terry Burton

CSM Terry Burton enlisted in the United States Army in November 1989 as a 91B Light Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic and served for over 30 years with notable assignments as Command Sergeant Major of the 172d Brigade Support Battalion, Germany; Command Sergeant Major of the 404th Army Field Support Brigade JBLM, WA; Command Sergeant Major of the 13th Expeditionary Support Command Fort Hood, TX; and Command Sergeant Major of the United States Army Readiness Center Fort Rucker, AL.

CSM Burton’s career culminated as the 13th Regimental Command Sergeant Major of the United States Army Ordnance Corps and School at Fort Gregg-Adams, VA. In this position, CSM Burton advised the Commandant on the health and welfare of all enlisted Soldiers assigned to 25 Ordnance school training locations throughout the United States. He provided leadership, mentorship, and guidance as the senior enlisted advisor for the Ordnance Corps of over 28,000 Officers, Warrant Officers, Department of the Army (DA) Civilians, and Enlisted Soldiers in the operational and generating force. His efforts consistently enabled senior leaders at the Combined Arms Support Command (CASCOM) and the Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) to make timely, intelligent, and well-informed decisions impacting the future of Ordnance and Sustainment communities.

His significant achievements in this position include the implementation of NCO professional development programs, in partnership with the Army Logistics University, NCO Academy, and Sergeants Major Academy, that resulted in 15 Noncommissioned Officers induction into the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club; worked closely with the Sergeants Major Branch, Human Resources Command, to codify critical Ordnance Corps Sergeant Major positions throughout the Army, creating opportunities for the Corps’ senior NCOs; spearheaded the effort to increase credentialing programs across the Corps and within the School which significantly contributed to an increase in the technical acumen of the Ordnance Soldier; oversaw the addition of two programs offered to AIT Soldiers as part of their training experience and led the effort that established a skill level four for MOS 91S, meeting the emerging requirement from I Corps and closed a potential gap within the MOS affectively increasing the technical expertise at the senior levels of the MOS over the next few years; and helped realign the selection of the best Noncommissioned officers for training with industry (TWI) follow on utilization positions to ensure equitable distribution to the operational Army and return on investment of TWI program.

CSM Burton notable awards include the Army Commendation Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters, and Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster.

CSM Burton retired from active duty in February 2020.