The new command sergeant major (CSM) of U.S. Army Cadet Command was introduced to the Fort Knox community on July 17 in a socially distanced assumption of responsibility ceremony held on post at Waybur Theater. CSM Jeremiah E. Gan is assuming his duties after completing his last assignment as Command Sergeant Major for the Army Training Center and Fort Jackson Post Command Sergeant Major in South Carolina.
“[Gan] has been there, he has done everything we want our Cadets to be proficient at, and I can’t wait to get him in front of Cadets when we have the opportunity to do more traveling, so that they can learn and take away from the quality of person he is,” said Major General John R. Evans, Commanding General of U.S. Army Cadet Command. As command sergeant major, Gan will be integral in the execution of Operation Agile Leader mission, a training exercise designed to take the place of the annual Cadet Summer Training for Army ROTC Cadets at Fort Knox. After the summer training on Fort Knox was cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns, Cadet Command tasked each of the over 200 battalions to perform a compressed training exercise that could be conducted closer to their respective university campuses. The senior leader team at Cadet Command will oversee nearly 70 of the Operation Agile Leader training exercises to ensure that Army ROTC Cadets are adequately prepared to commission as officers and move forth to their first Army assignment.
“I’m definitely no stranger to training Soldiers. So I’m very interested, excited and enthusiastically, energetically want to become a part of training officers,” said Gan. During the event, he assumed his duties in a traditional Army ceremony, wherein the colors of the unit are passed between senior leaders within the command. Acting Command Sergeant Major John Woodson of Army ROTC’s 7th Brigade, who assumed the duties in March, passed the colors to Evans, as a symbol of relinquishment of responsibility. The colors were passed then to Gan, charging him with the authority and responsibility that comes with the position.
Command Sergeant Major Gan began his career with the 5th Engineer Battalion at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. After a tour in Korea with the 2nd Engineer Battalion, he returned back to Fort Leonard Wood. where he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Upon returning, he attended Drill Sergeant School and was assigned to the 35th Engineer Battalion. Other assignments include the 326th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, and 101st Airborne Division (AASLT) as the Battalion Command Sergeant Major, where he deployed in support of Operation United Assistance, and prepared the battalion for the Africa RAF mission. He also served as the Command Sergeant Major of the 1st Engineer Brigade.
“This is our first time to Fort Knox, but we already feel at home,” said Gan.
Command Sergeant Major Gan’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit (1 OLC), Soldiers Medal, Bronze Star Medal (2 OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (3 OLC), Army Commendation Medal with Valor, Army Commendation Medal (4 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (1 SOL), Good Conduct Medal (7th award), National Defense Service Ribbon, Iraq Campaign Medal (1 Silver Campaign Star), Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon with numeral six, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral four, Combat Action Badge, Drill Instructor Badge, Drivers Badge (wheeled) Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Sapper Leader Tab, Ranger Tab, Army Superior Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation (1OLC).
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