FORT BLISS, Texas – The 5th Armored Brigade, 1st Army Division West, welcomed its new command sergeant major in a change of responsibility ceremony May 16.
Command Sgt. Maj. Neil S. McKinley replaced Command Sgt. Maj. Johnny R. Baldwin, who is retiring after 27 years of service to work with the Department of Defense in the aerostat program in Afghanistan for a year.
McKinley joins the “Daggers” team after more than half a decade as a command sergeant major. He has served as the senior enlisted adviser for the National training Center, Fort Irwin, Calif.; 1st Battalion, 38th Field Artillery, 2nd Infantry Division, Camp Casey, Korea; and the 80th Civil Affairs Battalion, Fort Bliss.
“Soldiers of the 5th Armored Brigade, first in the West, sharpening the edge, serving the nation – this is Dagger 7, signing on the net,” he said.
McKinley has also served as a cannon crew member, Howitzer and wheel driver, assistant gunner, gunner, chief of section, drill sergeant, gunnery sergeant, platoon sergeant, first sergeant, and operations sergeant in locations such as Iraq, Fort Sill, Okla., Fort Stewart, Ga., Baumholder, Germany, Fort Campbell, Ky., Fort Jackson, S.C., and Camp Hovey, Korea.
He is a graduate of Cannon Crewmember Course, Warrior Leaders Course, Advanced Leaders Course, Senior Leaders Course, Air Assault School, Master Gunner Course, Drill Sergeants Course, Pre-Command Course, Command Sergeant Major Development Program, and the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy.
His awards include the Bronze Star Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal with three silver oak leaf clusters, Good Conduct Medal with silver third knot, National Defense Service Medal with three bronze service stars, Southwest Asia Service Ribbon with two bronze service stars, Iraq Campaign Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Army Professional Development Ribbon with a numeral four, Field Artillery Saint Barbara Medal, Combat Action Badge, Air Assault Badge, Drill Sergeant Identification Badge, Driver Mechanic Badge, and numerous foreign and service awards.