Retired SMA Preston visits Stuttgart

Retired Sgt. Major of the Army Kenneth Preston visits U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart (Photo by Rick Scavetta, U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart)

STUTTGART, Germany – Retired Sgt. Major of the Army Kenneth Preston joined U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart to commemorate the 30th birthday of the Better Opportunity For Single Service Members program.

Preston, a former tanker who served as the Army’s senior non-commissioned officer from 2004 to 2011, was visiting on behalf of the Association of the U.S. Army, where he’s served since 2013. He retired in 2011 after 36 years in uniform.

During his visit, Preston had breakfast with local military members, to include military police and Soldiers from the USAG Stuttgart headquarters, said Command Sgt. Maj. Toese Tia, the garrison’s senior enlisted leader. From Stuttgart, Preston took part in a video teleconference with senior NCOs from across Europe.

1st Lt. Francine Alba, a platoon leader with the 554th Military Police Company listens to retired Sgt. Major of the Army Kenneth Preston during his Oct. 31 visit U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart (Photo by Rick Scavetta, U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart)

“He also had a chance for an office call with the garrison commander,” said Tia, adding that Preston and Col. Jason Condrey, spoke about issues affecting Soldiers in the garrison.

At the post exchange, Preston spoke at the BOSS birthday and helped cut the birthday cake with a sword. Afterward, Preston spoke with Soldiers and posed for photos. His next stop, Wiesbaden, is home to the headquarters of U.S. Army Europe.

Command Sgt. Maj. Toese Tia thanks retired Sgt. Major of the Army Kenneth Preston for taking time to visit Soldiers at U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart (Photo by Rick Scavetta, U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart)