Sergeant Major
Sergeant Major Garret D. Cleland is a native of Andalusia, Alabama. He joined the United States Army on May 31, 2007 and completed Basic Combat Training at Fort Benning, Georgia as a member of the 2nd Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment. He attended Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas where he was awarded the MOS 68X, Behavioral Health Specialist.
Sergeant Major Cleland's assignments include: Squad Leader, 528th Combat Operational Stress Control, 44th Medical Brigade, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Community Mental Health Services (CMHS) NCOIC, Martin Army Community Hospital, Fort Benning, Georgia; Senior Drill Sergeant, 2nd Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment, 194th Armored Brigade, Fort Benning, Georgia; Fitness Training Unit (FTU) Instructor, 30th Adjutant General Battalion, Fort Benning, Georgia; Department of Behavioral Health NCOIC, Bassett Army Community Hospital, Fort Wainwright, Alaska; Inspector General NCO, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York; 68 CMF Proponent NCO, Human Resources Command, Fort Knox, Kentucky. His most recent assignment was as a student at the Sergeants Major Academy, Class 75. First Sergeant Cleland has deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan in support of various combat operations.
Sergeant Major Cleland’s military and civilian education include: Property Book Unit Supply Enhanced Course, Basic Leaders Course, Small Arms Maintenance Course, Bus Driver Course, Applied Suicide Intervention Sustainment Training (T4) Course, Combat Operational Stress Control Course, Traumatic Event Management Course, Advanced Leaders Course, Airborne School, Air Assault School, Drill Sergeant School, Army Basic Instructors Training, Master Resilience Training, Equal Opportunity Leaders Course, Basic Healthcare Administration Course, The Army Inspector General Course, Master Leaders Course, The Joint Inspector General Course, and the Sergeants Major Academy. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology Management from American Military University and a Master of Science degree in Management from Excelsior University.
Sergeant Major Cleland’s awards and decorations include: Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3 OLC), Army Commendation Medal (4 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (1 SOLC), Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal (5th award), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal (2 Bronze Stars), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (numeral 5), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon (numeral 3), Drill Sergeant Identification Badge, Inspector General Identification Badge, Expert Field Medical Badge (EFMB), Parachutist Badge (Basic), Air Assault Badge, and the Driver’s Badge. Sergeant Major Cleland is also a member of the prestigious Sergeant Audie Murphy Association (SAMA) and the Order of Military Medical Merit (O2M3).
Sergeant Major Cleland is married to Olivia Cleland and has two sons, Joshua and Abram.