FORT LEE, Va. -- Command Sgt. Maj. Cynthia B. Howard took her place as the 12th Transportation Corps regimental command sergeant major during a March 4 ceremony at the Transportation School. She also became the first female Soldier to hold the top noncommissioned officer position.
"In choosing our next regimental command sergeant major, I was provided a slate of incredibly talented and dedicated command sergeants major," said Col. John P. Sullivan, Chief of Transportation. "But, truth be told, it was not very difficult to arrive at the decision of choosing Command Sgt. Maj. Howard. It was readily apparent to me that she has the vision and drive to lead our Regiment forward."
Howard, a Columbia, S.C., native, joins the Transportation command team from the 598th Transportation Brigade, Surface Deployment and Distribution Command located in Sembach, Germany.
"Today, I take on the responsibility of what will be the most rewarding and challenging job of my career," Howard said. "I am humbled to serve as the 12th regimental command sergeant major of the Transportation Corps." She went on to thank Sullivan for selecting her to be his senior noncommissioned officer and to the regimental command team for her smooth transition into the transportation family.
Howard is a graduate of Excelsior College with a bachelor's degree in psychology and is also a certified nurse. She has attended all levels of noncommissioned officer leadership courses to include the U.S. Army Sergeant's Major Academy, Drill Sergeant School and Air Assault Course.
Her awards and decorations include: the Legion of Merit Medal; Bronze Star (2nd award); Meritorious Service Medal (7th award), Army Commendation Medal (3rd award); Army Achievement Medal (6th award) and Army Good Conduct Medal (10th award).
The Transportation School is responsible for providing instruction for approximately 17,000 students annually in eight enlisted career fields, three warrant officer specialties and one officer area of concentration. Training is provided at 24 locations representing active, Reserve, and National Guard Soldiers. The Transportation School specializes in training personnel who support deployment and those who move the force. Areas of training include motor transport, watercraft, cargo handling, movement control and traffic management, and air, sea and rail terminal operations.
