FORT STEWART, Ga. - While deployed to Mosul, Iraq, in 2010, Command Sgt. Maj. Jimmy Pegues had an opportunity to fulfill his life’s goal; to become a teacher. As the oldest child in his Family, he had enjoyed helping his siblings with their school work. When he heard that the search was on for college instructors in Mosul, he jumped at the opportunity to teach the business management curriculum for the University of Maryland, University College.
Command Sergeant Major Pegues entered the military after graduating from high school in 1981. This Thomasville, N.C. native earned his associates of arts degree in political science from Austin Peay State University in 1989. He later completed his bachelor of arts in general studies from Columbia College of Missouri in 2004 and his masters of business administration in military operations from Touro University International in 2008.
In spite of overseeing more than 1,200 troops in the 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, Command Sgt. Maj. Pegues was allowed to choose his own hours for class. He taught one class each term, from March to October 2010. He told his students, “You need to get a civilian education if you want to get ahead and stay in the Army.”
He believed if he could get an education while in the Army, they can too.
He has served an array of positions in multiple locations stateside and overseas. Of note are his appointments as the Task Force Sinai Command Sergeant Major, for the Multinational Forces Observer, in Sinai, Egypt and the Commandant, Quartermaster Non-Commissioned Officers Academy in Fort Lee, Virginia.
Of the numerous awards bestowed upon him, Command Sgt. Maj. Pegues is most proud of his first Bronze Star Medal earned during Desert Storm as a supply sergeant, his Distinguished Order of Saint Martin presented for Logistical Excellence, and his 10th Good Conduct Medal which represents 30 years of Active Service.
Command Sgt. Maj. Pegues returned to Fort Stewart and continued to serve as the 26th Brigade Support Battalion command sergeant major. He once again became an NCO Academy Commandant by assuming that duty for the 3rd Infantry Division on March 8.
Even with his busy schedule, he wants to continue sharing his personal and Army experiences by teaching. This upcoming term he will teach business ethics for Columbia College at Fort Stewart. He is so dedicated to education that he feels he has has two options when he retires from the Army; either apply to be a Junior ROTC Instructor or enter the Troops-to-Teachers program to teach disadvantaged high school students.
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