The Fort Jackson Garrison will welcome Command Sgt. Major Algrish C. Williams as its new command sergeant major in a change of responsibility ceremony Oct. 23 at 9 a.m. at Victory Hall.
Williams will assume responsibility from Fort Jackson Garrison Commander Col. John W. Hankins and will become his senior enlisted advisor.
The command sergeant major is the senior noncommissioned officer in a unit who advises the commander on all issues related to the enlisted ranks. Commanders employ their command sergeants major throughout an area of operations to extend command influence, assess morale of the force, and assist during critical events. Williams will carry out policies and standards and advise on performance, training, appearance and conduct of enlisted
soldiers.
Command Sgt. Maj. Williams is a native of Jamaica, raised in Boston. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in August 1995 and completed One Station Unit Training at Fort Sill, Okla., where he was trained as an artilleryman. Later, he reclassified to Personnel Administrative Specialist in September 1998.
His duty assignments include: 3rd Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment, Fort Jackson, S.C.; Human Resources Command, Enlisted Personnel Management Directorate, Fort Knox, Ky.; Future Operations Cell of a Joint Chief of Staff, Pentagon, District of Columbia; Defense Language Institute English Language Center, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas; Defense Programs Support Activity, Elkridge, Md.; 165th Infantry Brigade, Fort Jackson, S.C.; 72nd
Field Artillery Brigade, First Army, Division East Fort Meade, Md./Fort Dix, N.J.; 2nd Recruiting Brigade, Atlanta, Ga.; Great Plains Regional Veterinary Command, Fort Sam Houston, Texas; and 1st Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Sill, Okla.
Overseas Assignments include Camp Casey, Korea and a tour in Baghdad, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn.
During his career, Command Sgt. Maj. Williams has served in various positions such as cannon crew member, training room clerk, personnel administrative specialist, recruiter, human resources sergeant, brigade senior human resources sergeant, drill sergeant, platoon sergeant, senior drill sergeant, served as the Forward Operating Base, Mayor Cell Senior
Enlisted Advisor under the Deputy Commanding General (Advising and Training) Forward Operating Base Union III, Baghdad, Iraq and Administrative Supervisor/Executive Assistant Liaison, first sergeant, superintendent, noncommissioned officer in charge of a Future Operations Cell of a Joint Staff , and the Force Alignment Division Sergeant Major/Military Schools Branch Sergeant Major, 3rd Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment Command Sergeant Major.
Alternative Dispute Resolution Course, Security Cooperation Management Training Officer Course, Master Resilience Trainer Course, Fitness Leader Course, Safety Officer/Non Commissioned Officer Course, Equal Opportunity Leaders Course, Field Sanitation Team Course, Unit Armorer Course and Combat Lifesaver Course. He completed a master’s degree in Public Administration, summa cum laude and inducted into the Pi Alpha Alpha
International Honor Society.
His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with four Oak Leaf Cluster; Joint Service Commendation Medal; Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Cluster; Air Force Commendation Medal; Joint Service Achievement Medal; Army Achievement Medal with six Oak Leaf Cluster; Army Good Conduct Medal (8th award); National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star; Iraq Campaign Medal with two Bronze Star; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal;
Korean Defense Service Medal; Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal with Bronze Star; Non Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 5); Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon (Numeral 2); Joint Meritorious Unit Award with one Oak Leaf Cluster; Army Superior Unit Award; Joint Staff Identification Badge; Drill Sergeant Badge; Recruiter Ring and Gold Recruiter Badge with three sapphires; Drivers Badge Wheel and Track, and Expert Marksmanship Badge. He is also the recipient of the prestigious
Order of the Horatio Gates Gold and Bronze, and the Saint Barbara award.
Command Sgt. Maj. Williams is married and has five children.