Throughout the military history of the United States, the noncommissioned officer (NCO) has played a pivotal central role in the shaping and development of the U.S. Army. Indeed, many consider the rank of First Sergeant to be the "backbone" of the Army. During peaceful times, NCO's develop, train, and apply constructive discipline to those who are entrusted to their care and leadership. And it is in wartime that the true value of the NCO, especially those with the rank of First Sergeant, shines forth. It is during time of war that the First Sergeant assumes an even greater responsibility for the soldiers that he leads into battle. There are many fine examples of First Sergeants that have served our country with extraordinary courage, talent, and dedication. "The First Sergeants" gives the reader a true firsthand glimpse of how the skill, discipline, and determination of talented senior NCOs was crucial in the breaking of the will of the Eastern Communist Block. "The First Sergeants" follows the experiences of how a special breed of 1980's peacetime NCOs and First Sergeants of the U.S. Army endured physically and mentally exhausting field exercises. These frequent field exercises were born by a unique class of U. S. Army warrior known as "Cavalry." Morgan is meticulous and spells out in fascinating detail the grueling field ops and maneuvers, the demanding selection processes, and the high-level technical training involved in keeping a peacetime front-line army on the cutting edge of the operations of the art of war. Morgan's extensive knowledge and understanding of what a First Sergeant must accomplish on a day-to-day basis is absolutely stunning and his ability to share that knowledge with the reader is truly enlightening. From the simulated battle problems that test everything to the smallest detail of handling junior enlisted personal issues, this book chronicles in great detail an important part of the career of an exemplary professional senior NCO of the Army. Documenting the worth many times over of the U.S. Army's First Sergeant, "The First Sergeants" is a fascinating story of recent Cold War history. Senior NCO's, like the author, who lived and served during that time were the "tip of the spear" that ensured that the Cold War ended in the most peaceful of all imagined settings. Indeed, the world will be forever indebted to those who held the Communist hordes at bay while holding the "red" line. That they did so in bitterly cold rain, choking hot dust, in daytime and nighttime, 24/7 is a tribute to the steadfast resolve of the First Sergeant and the men that they lead. This in-depth account of a snippet of time in the life of a First Sergeant underscores the ability and dedication to duty that have been the hallmarks of the careers of many U.S. Army First Sergeants. Their careers have served to exemplify the enhanced quality, education, and professionalism of the NCO corps. Once you begin to read "The First Sergeants," you will find it very hard to put down.
About the Author: CSM (Ret) Richard E. Morgan was born in Decatur, IN in 1943. He entered the US Army as a draftee in March 1969. CSM (Ret) Morgan served in each rank and enlisted leadership position in the Army. Morgan's duty positions include: Tank Crewman, Missile Crewman, Tank Commander, Tank Platoon Sergeant, Drill Sergeant, Senior Drill Sergeant, First Sergeant, Operations Sergeant Major & Command Sergeant Major. He was instrumental in the development of doctrine, tactics and training for the initial work on Close Combat Heavy Forces and the M1 tank Bore Sight and Calibration Procedures, Field Manuals 17-12 Tank gunnery and 17-12-1 M1 Tank gunnery, and the development of tactics, techniques and procedures for the Armor Force. CSM (Ret) Morgan's duty assignments include the 5thID (Mech) as a PFC & SPC and again as a 1SG and SGM; A Battery 2/52, Air Defense Artillery, Homestead, FL; 4/69 Armor, Mainz, Germany 8th ID as a Tank commander and HHC XO; Drill SGT, Senior Drill Sergeant and 1SG for Basic Training & Infantry in B & C-19-4, Fort Knox, KY; 1/33 Armor, Gelnhausen, Germany 2d AD as a PSG; Instructor and Chief Instructor of Gunnery Division, Armor School Fort Knox, KY; H Co 2/6 Cavalry as 1SG; G Troop 2/11 ACR as 1SG; 2/11 ACR, Bad Kissingen Germany as Squadron Master Gunner, Acting Operations SGM and CSM; HHC 3/70 Armor, 1SG; 4/12 Cavalry as Operations SGM & CSM; 1/11 ACR, Fulda, Germany; CSM 3/70 Armor, Fort Hood, TX. Morgan's awards and decorations include: the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Sixth Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, NDSM, Expert, Rifle and Pistol Badges, and the Drill Sergeant Badge. He was a distinguished Honor Graduate of his Advanced NCO Course. CSM (Ret) Morgan graduated from the US Army Sergeants Major Academy Non-Resident Course in 1986. Morgan also served as the Emergency Deployment Readiness (EDRE) Officer, Operations officer and finally as the Deputy G3 of the JRTC & Fort Polk. He retired as a Department of the Army Civilian in 2006. He and his wife Linda have four grown children and reside near DeRidder, LA. Richard is a member of the Order of St. George, a Lifetime Member of the Blackhorse Association, and was inducted into the Order of the Spur in 1984. He is a member of the National Rifle Association and Adams Post 43 of the American Legion. He is the author of a work of fiction novel entitled "The First Sergeants" and intends to publish several more books beginning in the fall of 2012.