Gene C. McKinney
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Gene McKinney | |
|---|---|
| Born November 3, 1950 | |
 SMA Gene McKinney |
|
| Place of birth | Monticello, Florida |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1968-1997 |
| Rank | Sergeant Major of the Army |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
| Awards | Legion of Merit Bronze Star |
Gene McKinney was the 10th Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA) of the United States, serving from July 1995 to October 1997. He was the first African-American to reach that rank.
During his tenure, he faced charges of sexual harassment from several current and former female subordinates. The Army relieved him of his SMA duties while the court martial was pending; during that time, two Command Sergeants Major — one his twin brother, James McKinney — took over his duties in rotation. Sergeant Major McKinney was acquitted of all sexual harassment charges, but was convicted of obstruction of justice, and received a reduction in grade to Master Sergeant (E-8) and a reprimand. However, upon retirement from active duty, he was allowed to retire with the full military pay and benefits which he had earned at his higher, former grade due to the fact that he had once held the rank.
Gene C. McKinney was born in Monticello, Florida on November 3, 1950. He is one of five brothers, all of whom served in the Army. One served as an officer, one retired as a master sergeant, another served in Vietnam, and an identical twin reached the rank of Command Sergeant Major.
He enlisted in the United States Army in August 1968, and completed Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training as an armored cavalryman at Fort Knox, Kentucky. From 1969-1970, he saw combat in Vietnam with the 173rd Airborne Brigade. In more than 28 years, he served in all Noncommissioned Officer leadership positions. He was Command Sergeant Major of the United States Army Europe; 8th Infantry Division (Mechanized), Bad Kreuznach, Germany; 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division in Vilseck, Germany; 612th Quartermaster at Fort Bragg, North Carolina; 1st Battalion, 58th Mechanized Infantry, 197th Infantry Brigade at Fort Benning, Georgia; 3rd Squadron, 12th Cavalry Regiment in Büdingen, Germany; 3rd and 4th Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment at Fort Bliss, Texas; and 2nd Squadron, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment in Bamberg, Germany. He is a graduate of the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy, Class 31.
[edit] Awards and decorations
McKinney's awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with Three Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Parachutist Badge.
[edit] External links
- CNN Story on McKinney's acquittal
- Army Names Acting Sergeant Major
- U.S. Army site listing SMA McKinney's medals
| Preceded by Richard A. Kidd |
Sergeant Major of the Army 1995—1997 |
Succeeded by Robert E. Hall |
