For female CSM, humility, mentoring is key to leadership

By Sgt. Christopher DennisApril 4, 2016

Battalion run
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Command Sgt. Maj. Adrianne Ransom, 115th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, leads her noncommissioned officers on a "Muleskinner" battalion run March 16 at Camp Casey, South Korea. Every year Ransom plan... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Safety brief
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Command Sgt. Maj. Adrianne Ransom, 115th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, calls the formation to attention at a weekly safety brief at the "Muleskinner" motor pool March 18. Ransom's husband, Sgt. Maj.... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Mentoring the formation
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Command Sgt. Maj. Adrianne Ransom, 115th Brigade Sustainment Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, coaches her Soldiers on safety during the end-of-week brief given at the Muleskinner motor pool March 18. Ransom plans on r... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

As a young girl growing up on the streets of "South-side Chicago," at 59th Street and Peoria Street, Adrianne learned at an early age what wrong and right looked like.

By the age of 14, the young woman was taken in by her adoptive parents and moved to Arcadia, Louisiana, where she calls home.

Adrianne would eventually become a battalion command sergeant major overseeing 355 Soldiers, and influencing more than 1,400 Soldiers in the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division.

"Where I came from made me and shaped me into the person I am today, so I know what 'Wrong' looks like all day long," said Command Sgt. Maj. Adrianne Ransom, 115th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st ABCT. "My experiences have enhanced my view of what 'Right' is."

It is for leaders like Ransom that the focus of the National Women's History Month this year is honoring women in public service and government.

In 1988, despite having no one with any military experience around her, Ransom decided to join the Army.

"When I became pregnant, I felt really guilty, so I joined the Army to pay my bills, my parents back, and to pay my student loans so I wouldn't be a burden to my family," said Ransom.

With an eye to help people, the young woman started her Army career as a nutritional care specialist.

"I started out in a field unit at Fort Polk, then went to Germany and worked in a hospital and a field unit, and I have been deployed four times," said Ransom. "So most of my experience is with field units."

In 2008, she graduated from the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy, but due to a change in the promotion system, wouldn't be promoted as a command sergeant major until 2013.

During that time she was placed in a variety of positions, which helped her grow as a senior enlisted leader.

"So for five years, I was given different positions not in my military occupational specialty, and I learned a lot about the Army; that's where I gained a strong sense of humility in learning how to do other jobs and being trained by junior folk," said Ransom.

According to Ransom, this humility has also helped her become a better leader and influenced her command style.

"When you listen to people and try to understand their point of view, it helps in the learning process and it helps them want to become a better follower, because they want to follow you because you're a good leader," said Ransom.

For Lt. Col John Govan III, commander, 115th BSB, having outstanding leaders of different backgrounds, races, and genders, enriches the battalion.

"Having female leaders is a good fit for the unit, and sets a great example for Soldiers to see senior female leaders," said Govan.

The mother of five children has some thoughts about being a woman in the Army.

"I don't feel like I'm special in any way, I just want there not to be a difference between male and female, whatever the standard is," said Ransom. "I just want to meet the standard the same way the male soldiers have to meet the standard."

Her advice to younger women in the Army is much the same as her opinion about being a female in the Army.

"Try your best to be the best Soldier you can be; don't use being a female as a crutch or present yourself differently from any other Soldier," said Ransom. "I personally don't like it when female Soldiers are singled out, just for being female - if they are the fastest in the group, or the smartest in the group, or they did the best job, then that's what they should get recognized for."

For Ransom, who has served in the military for 28 years, leadership is about mentoring and developing Soldiers.

"The best thing about the Army, for me, is the impact I can have on junior Soldiers," said Ransom. "I like to help people, I like to teach, and I like to see people learn and grow - I like to learn and grow as well."

The energetic senior enlisted Muleskinner leader said she plans to retire from the Army with her husband, Sgt. Maj. Quillar Ransom Jr., and to start a trucking business.