Army Materiel Command's top NCO reflects on nearly four decades of service

FORT BELVOIR, Va. --Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey Mellinger jokes that he didn't join the Army at 19 - but was rather "invited." Today, after nearly four decades, his long and decorated career continues. Not without realizing, however, his inspiration throughout all these years.

"I enjoy being around Soldiers. Young, motivated Soldiers who are willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done right, regardless of pay grade or rank," Mellinger said. "That's what keeps me going. They excite me and keep me energized."

Mellinger, who assumed duties at Fort Belvoir's Army Materiel Command in November 2007, was drafted in April 1972 and received basic and advanced training at Fort Ord, Calif.

A clerk during his initial term, his first assignment was in the Federal Republic of Germany as a unit clerk. He then went on to the 2nd Battalion (Ranger), 75th Infantry at Fort Lewis, Wash.

Over the next several years, he served as a battalion personnel staff NCO, then reclassified to the infantry and served as a machinegun squad leader, rifle platoon sergeant, drill sergeant and weapons platoon leader. Additional assignments during his career have included Special Forces military freefall instructor, various senior enlisted advisory positions and assistant professor of military science at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks.

A sergeant major for the last 17 of his 37 years of service, Mellinger was command sergeant major for Multi-National Forces - Iraq from August 2004 to May 2007. While being away from his family is never easy, particularly for a deployment that long, he admits to never having a bad assignment overseas.

That's why, in Mellinger's opinion, his time in Iraq pales in comparison to the "invitation" he got to report to an Armed Forces Entrance and Examination Station in Portland, Ore., as a teenager.

"The economy wasn't doing well and a lot of mills were closing down around Oregon. Times were tough and jobs were hard to come by," Mellinger said when looking back on that period in his life. "I had experience dry walling and knew I could find work doing that for $700-800 a month. But, when I got drafted, that changed everything."

Mellinger said at that time the base pay for a Soldier was $288 a month. Just married, he had anxiety over how he could provide for a family on what was given to him.

To compound matters, he had hoped to one day join the Marines, like his father, James. Fortunately for the Army, and the many Soldiers and families he has trained and influenced, he wasn't allowed to switch.

"At the office, I remember walking down this hallway and hearing someone say loud enough that he didn't want to join the Marines. I thought to myself, 'I'll take his spot. I'll join," Mellinger said while laughing.

"My family has strong roots to the Marines. I've always felt a certain mystique about them and it's something I always envisioned myself doing. It just wasn't in the cards for me."

Neither was his career path. Mellinger said he strongly considered leaving the Army after his mandatory two years of service. That all changed once he started getting promotions and recognition from his superiors. But, it wasn't until becoming a first sergeant that he decided to stick with the Army and make it a career, he said.

"I lost count of how many times I thought of leaving. Then, anytime I got promoted, it was a great feeling. I felt like I had accomplished something and it made me feel really good about myself," Mellinger continued.

"I tell Soldiers anywhere I go to be the best at your craft. Become an expert and give 110 percent. Learn as much as you can about your chosen profession and things have a way of working out. I'm proof of that."

In Mellinger's experience, it's far more difficult for NCOs now than when he first started in the Army. There are far greater demands with deployments, not to mention increased training when it comes to stress management, suicide prevention and the overall health and well-being of Soldiers and their families, he said.

The world has also changed. Mellinger believes it's important to keep things in perspective and remember that the U.S. is still a country at war. Though much progress has been made in recent years, he said the nation can't afford to be completely trusting. Not anymore.

"We're dealing with enemies who kill indiscriminately and think nothing of it to kill women and young children. It saddens me that most people have forgotten the first World Trade Center bombing," Mellinger said.

"Most Americans don't have the awareness like the military. We're fighting enemies who don't have uniforms. It's frightening what you can't see. Those are the risks our Soldiers take because they're the only ones who can do the job. Freedom isn't free and we understand that."

For any aspiring NCO out there, he points out the need to learn as much from their fellow Soldiers at any given time. It's not only about learning responsibilities, but learning new skills. For an individual to be successful, Mellinger says, a classroom can only take one so far.

"It can't all be osmosis. Read as much as you can and pay attention to how your senior leaders respond to certain situations," Mellinger said. "It's helped me in my journey and I'm sure it will help someone else. Experience and success build confidence."