SGM Michael J. Lewis - Board Member

Designated by the Secretary of Defense, Sergeant Major Michael J. Lewis assumed the position of Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman and Board member at the Reserve Forces Policy Board on September 15, 2016. SGM Lewis serves as the subject matter expert for personnel, mobilization and readiness issues impacting personnel from all seven reserve components. In this capacity he works and interacts with the senior military and civilian leadership throughout the Department of Defense. SGM Lewis also acts as a liaison with senior NCO policy boards within the Joint Staff and Office of the Secretary of each of the uniformed services. Prior to this assignment, Sergeant Major Lewis was the 6th State Command Sergeant Major for the Rhode Island National Guard. The Command Sergeant Major served as the principle Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Adjutant General which includes enforcing standards, developing policies on enlisted matters and making recommendations to improve the quality of life for Rhode Island’s National Guard airmen, soldiers and their families.

SGM Lewis was born in Westerly, Rhode Island, and graduated from Chariho High School in June 1982. He entered active duty upon graduation and completed One Station Unit Training at Ft. Benning, Georgia as an infantryman. Later was assigned to 1st Platoon, Company C, 1st Ranger Battalion, Hunter Army Airfield, Savannah, GA

Upon completion of his initial enlistment, Sergeant Major Lewis joined the Rhode Island Army National Guard where he was assigned to Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne). In Special Forces, SGM Lewis served as Junior Weapons Sergeant, Senior Weapons Sergeant, Operations / Intelligence Sergeant, Special Forces Team Sergeant and Company Sergeant Major. In August 2006, SGM Lewis was assigned as the first Command Sergeant Major of the newly formed Special Operations Detachment – Global.

SGM Lewis’s military education includes all levels of NCOES culminating with the Army Sergeants Major Academy, Basic Airborne School, Jungle Operations Training Center, Ranger School, Special Forces Qualification Course, Jump Master, USASOC Mountain Master Course (Distinguished Honor Graduate) and Level 1 Mountaineer, ARNG Mountain Warfare School Winter, Summer, and Lead Climber Courses, Marine Corps Scout Sniper School, and Northern Warfare Training Center. SGM Lewis holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

SGM Lewis has deployed in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM (Afghanistan), Operation ENDURING FREEDOM – Caribbean and Central America (SOCSOUTH), Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (Iraq), Operation JOINT GUARDIAN (Kosovo), Operation DESERT SPRING (Kuwait) and Operation JOINT FORGE (Bosnia), Operation UPHOLD DEMOCRACY (Haiti) and Operation URGENT FURY (Grenada).

Military awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (1st OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (4th OLC), Army Commendation Medal (3rd OLC), Army Achievement Medal (2nd OLC), Army Good Conduct Medal (3rd Award), Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (4th Award), National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (3rd Award w/Arrowhead device) , Kosovo Campaign Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal (2 stars), Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 4), Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Ribbon, Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon, United Nations Medal, and NATO Medal (3rd Award), Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman Badge (2nd Award), Expert Infantryman Badge and the Master Parachutist Badge. (As of Sep 2016)

Sergeant Major Michael J. Lewis

Sergeant Major Michael J. Lewis