History of the Noncommissioned Officer
On
William O. Wooldridge, First Sergeant Major of the Army 1966-1968
by
SGM Emilio Marty
SGM Cole
March 3, 2006
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Sergeant Major (SGM) retired William O. Wooldridge was born on August 12,
1922 in Shawnee, Oklahoma. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on November 11, 1940 at
Fort Worth, Texas shortly before the outbreak of World War II.
He became the first Sergeant Major of the Army on July 11, 1966 and served in that position until August 31, 1968. He was also the first Sergeant Major of the Army to serve in two different assignments after holding the position of Sergeant Major of the
Army. After almost 31 years of active duty service he retired at Fort MacArthur,
California on February 1, 1972.
During his tour of duty, he describes his eagerness to “learn the important roles and great responsibility of a noncommissioned officer (NCO).” Upon entering the Army he was assigned to F Company, 23d Regiment of Infantry. There he received two weeks of infantry basic training and learned “how to salute, march, and very basic squad and platoon infantry tactics.” There after he went for two additional weeks of advance training where he learned “tactics of a rifle company, instructions on the 60mm mortar” and other types of guns.
In those days the drill instructor was a Corporal. He remembers his platoon guide, platoon sergeant, first sergeant, and NCOs in F Company to be devoted and professional NCOs. After 31 years of service, he never recall, in the U.S. Army to “serve under NCOs so qualified and disciplined, both physically and mentally.” He stated that
“they were just beautifully trained and dedicated men”.
On his first assignment, he learned that in the Army there were no written guidelines for NCOs other that the War Department Field Manual (FM) 21-100 Basic
Field Manual, Soldiers Handbook. These procedures and instructions were “limited to Marty 3
the Soldier’s relationship with noncommissioned officers” but he recalls “they were
understandable and clear.”
In December 1941, while assigned and serving with the British Army, SGM
Wooldridge “first observed and was very impressed to experience the complete ideal of a
professional noncommissioned officer, in the presence of the Regimental Sergeant
Major.”
He recalls the “British Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) running entirely the
regiment. The RSM and his company SGMs were involved in everything the unit
accomplished. The RSM and SGMs participated in all of the training. They were able
and willing to do anything the troops were able to achieve. On everything they
participated it was usually superior.”
For him it was a “prestige for the British Army RSM that accompanied the position with the ceremony and traditional to include the RSM mess for the exclusive use of the NCOs and senior NCOs” of the regiment. It was from there on that while assigned
to the British Army, that SGM Wooldridge “envisioned what a noncommissioned Officer
should be and he held that as the standard for himself and the U.S. Army NCOs” through
out his military career.
In 1942 he was assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, Europe. While stationed in
Europe he participated in the Sicilian Campaigns, North Africa, and the D-Day landings
in Normandy on June 6, 1944. In October 1944 during the early part of the war, he was
wounded during the battle for the fortress city of Aachen and was decorated for gallantry
in action. He was later awarded the Silver Star and a Purple Heart. In December 1944,
SMA Wooldridge received his second Silver Star in the Battle of the Bulge Campaign. Marty 4
In 1955 he was assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas. It was during this time the rank of Sergeant Major was implemented into the rank, and he was one of the first First Sergeants to get promoted to the newly rank of Sergeant Major.
While assigned to Fort Riley, Kansas, he held numerous types of assignment as a
SGM and with that experience and background his next assignment was with the 24th
Infantry Division in Germany. During that time he was hand picked by the Commander in Chief, Europe, General Clark to be the U.S. Army Europe SGM, in which he was able to established unit training and the first ever Sergeants Major mess.
Since he had the opportunity, he went on and hosted GEN Clark to the SGMs mess opening ceremony. At that lunching “he spoke to GEN Clark and it was there, that
SGM Wooldridge introduces to GEN Clark his views regarding the proper recognition and utilization of the NCO Corp.”
GEN Clark enjoyed being at the SGMs mess and after that meeting he immediately outlined and implemented what they spoke about to “his entire field commander at all levels in Europe, to further the efficiency and enhance the stature of the NCO Corp.” The memorandum sent to all field commander, Europe was broken down in four parts; authority, privilege, responsibility, education and training. The following is just a sketch of some of the changes that he implemented and is still being integrated today:
a. Prevent the use of NCO for menial or degrading tasks.
b. Insure that all NCOs are consistently addressed by their rank.
c. Adhere to the chain of command through NCO ranks.
d. Reduce the requirement for officer supervision or mandatory presence at troop
formations. Let the NCO to take charge. Marty 5
e. Avoid mass withdrawal of NCO privileges, but take positive action against
individuals concerned.
f. Permit key NCO to attend staff conferences and commanders’ briefings.
g. Insure that deserving, high quality NCO are commended for outstanding
performance of duty by awarding them commendations medals, letters of
appreciation and commendation, or certificates of achievement.
h. Refrain from over supervising the NCO after a task has been assigned. Issue type
instructions rather than detailed orders.
i. Whenever possible, place senior NCO under the supervision rather than civilians j. Inform NCOs in advance of significant matters pertaining to the unit, field
problems, training requirement, disciplinary matters, standards, etc to avoid
unfounded rumors and allow for necessary advanced planning at all echelons. k. Use senior NCOs to assist conducting inspections and execution of training. l. Provide separate rooms for senior NCOs m. Appoint senior NCOs councils at each level of command starting at battalion or
separate company councils. n. Hold classes/training to insure that NCOS are thoroughly trained for their job and
for higher positions.
o. Mandatory attendance to NCO academy and other courses designed to enhance
his/her career.
p. Encourage NCOs to take advantage of their many opportunities to increase their
general level of education. Marty 6
In addition to the recommended use and utilization of the NCO, SGM Wooldridge
along with the SGMs mess established guidelines as to what the duties and
responsibilities of a Sergeant Major. Some are:
a. The rank of SGM is the senior enlisted grade and should be considered as a key
staff member.
b. The commander should grant the SGM authority to issued orders and instructions
as necessary.
c. The SGM should embrace all aspects of training, logistics, discipline as well as
morale within the command.
d. Sits as a member and president of the command promotion enlisted board.
e. Is responsible for selection of the unit/command Color bearers and guards.
In 1966, from these historical backgrounds meetings, GEN Clark wrote to the Chief
Staff of the Army (CofS) GEN Johnson, with the requirements for the duties and responsibilities of the NCOs and the responsibilities of SGMs. It was immediately implemented to all Army wide personnel upon SGM Wooldridge selection as the first
Sergeant Major of the Army. The establishment of these new rules was the “beginning of today’s more formal guideline for the proper recognition and utilization of the NCO and
SGM.”
Even thought Sergeant Major Wooldridge retired in the State of California he now lives in El Paso, Texas. SGM Wooldridge is 83 years old.
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Works Cited
US Army Sergeant Major Academy, Student Project: What is a Sergeant Major? Fort Bliss, TX.May 1985
US Army Sergeant Major Academy. RR22-600-20. The duties, responsibilities and authority of NCOs, Jun 1981
Wooldridge, William O. Proper Recognition and Utilization of Noncommissioned Officers. 15 Nov. 2002. Unites States Sergeants Major Academy. Fort Bliss, TX.