Rank, name
Command Sgt. Maj. Karl Schmitt
Unit
171st Infantry Brigade
Military Occupational
Specialty / Job title
00Z, command sergeant major
Years in service
24 years
Family
Married with four children
Highest education
Pursuing a master's degree in business
Hobbies
Golf and restoring old cars
FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- Command Sgt. Major Karl Schmitt has three important goals in life.
"...To be a good husband, a good father and a positive role model for younger Soldiers," he said.
Schmitt is a staunch believer of the adage that tells us we should leave a place, a community, better than what we found it. He also believes in strong, effective leadership.
Ironically, Schmitt said it has been his experiences with bad leadership that have most influenced his military career.
"I learned so much from bad experiences ... I remember how it was to have bad leadership. And it drove me to become a good leader. ... We, as leaders, should provide the opportunity for (our Soldiers) to do well."
During his more than two decades in the Army, Schmitt has had assignments at Camp Casey, South Korea; Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.; Wiesbaden and Pirmasens, Germany; and Fort Bliss, Texas. He has also deployed to Iraq.
Schmitt took over as 171st Infantry Brigade command sergeant major in May. Only months into his assignment, he has already hit the ground running.
As a unit leader, Schmitt said he has observed that many Soldiers tend to be too focused on getting to the next grade.
He advises Soldiers to stay focused on their jobs and promotions will come.
"Whatever your job is, do that to the best of your ability. Don't be overly concerned about promotion. Just be good at what you do," Schmitt said.
We salute you!
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