Command Sgt Maj Jennifer N Pruitt Assumes Top Enlisted Position

U.S. Army chooses first female sergeant major

Command Sgt. Maj. Jennifer N. Pruitt assumes top enlisted position

Pruitt is the first woman to serve as the Army's top enlisted soldier

Command Sgt. Maj. Jennifer N. Pruitt became the first woman to serve as the sergeant major of the Army on Thursday, taking on the role of the service's top enlisted soldier.

Pruitt, who previously served as the command sergeant major of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, was sworn in during a ceremony at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Virginia. She succeeds Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael A. Grinston, who retired Wednesday after four years in the position.

As the sergeant major of the Army, Pruitt is the senior enlisted advisor to the Army chief of staff and the Army secretary. She is responsible for providing advice and counsel on all matters affecting the enlisted force, including training, readiness, and quality of life.

Pruitt's selection as the sergeant major of the Army is a historic milestone for the service. She is the first woman to hold the position, and her appointment sends a strong message about the Army's commitment to diversity and inclusion.

In her new role, Pruitt will face a number of challenges, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the need to modernize the Army's equipment and training, and the growing threat from China and Russia.

But Pruitt is confident that she is up to the task. She has a proven track record of success in her previous assignments, and she is committed to serving the soldiers of the Army.

"I am honored and humbled to be the first female sergeant major of the Army," Pruitt said in a statement. "I am committed to serving the soldiers of the Army and their families, and I will work tirelessly to ensure that they are the best trained, best equipped, and most lethal force in the world."

Pruitt's selection as the sergeant major of the Army is a testament to her hard work and dedication. She is a role model for all soldiers, and her appointment is a sign of the Army's progress in the area of diversity and inclusion.