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WASHINGTON, D.C. (USTCNS) --- Secretary of the Army Louis Caldera and Army Chief of Staff Eric K. Shinseki announced today that Command Sgt. Maj. Jack L. Tilley has been selected to be the 12th sergeant major of the Army.

For the last two years, Tilley has been serving as command sergeant major for U.S. Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. He has 32 years of experience with the Army as an armored cavalryman, including a combat tour in Vietnam.

Tilley will be sworn in June 23 after Sgt. Maj. of the Army Robert E. Hall retires. Hall, who also served at U.S. Central Command before coming to the Pentagon, has been sergeant major of the Army since Oct. 13, 1997. Hall was extended a year when Shinseki took office last June. Hall is retiring June 22, after 32 years of service.

As sergeant major of the Army, Tilley will serve as personal advisor to the Army chief of staff on all enlisted-related matters, particularly in areas affecting soldier training, noncommissioned officer leader development and soldier and family well-being.

The sergeant major of the Army devotes the majority of his time travelling throughout the Army observing training, and talking to soldiers and their families. He listens to their concerns and provides the chief of staff feedback and recommendations for the forces' well-being. He also sits on a wide variety of councils and boards that make decisions affecting enlisted soldiers and their families and is routinely invited to testify before Congress.

Tilley entered the Army at Fort Lewis, Wash., in 1966. He served in Vietnam as an armor crewman and scout driver for A Troop, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry, in September 1971. Since then, he has served in every position from squad leader to command sergeant major of the 1st Armored Division. He also served as command sergeant major for Task Force Eagle in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Tilley spent much of his career serving in Germany and Fort Knox, Ky. He served at Knox as tank commander, instructor, operations sergeant, battalion and later brigade command sergeant major with the 194th Separate Armored Brigade. He also served tours at Fort Polk, La.; Fort Lewis, Wash.; and Fort Benning, Ga.

Prior to his assignment at U.S. Central Command, he was command sergeant major of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command, Arlington, Va.

His military schools include the Drill Sergeant School, Master Gunner Course, First Sergeant Course and the Sergeants Major School, where he graduated from Class 28 in 1987.

His awards include three Legions of Merit, the Bronze Star with V Device, three Meritorious Service Medals, Vietnam Service Medal and Campaign Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, two Overseas Service Ribbons, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Drill Sergeant's Badge and Parachutist's Badge.

He is married to the former Gloria Smith and they have two sons, Brian and Kevin.

(FROM ARMY NEWS SERVICE).