Gene C. McKinney
Encyclopedia
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 and to date the only African-American to reach that rank in the United States Army. McKinney was the only Sergeant Major of the Army to resign. In 1998, he was courtmartialed on a variety of charges including sexual harassment and obstruction of justice. He was convicted and demoted to the rank of Master Sergeant.
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, Command Sergeant Major James C. McKinney.
He enlisted in the United States Army in August 1968, and completed OSUT as an Infantryman at Fort Benning, Georgia. 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 Battalion 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.
and several other Army bases surfaced, and the Army instituted a substantial investigation, with a toll-free telephone hotline that received nearly 60,000 calls within a matter of weeks. The task force established by Secretary of the Army
Togo D. West, Jr.
, to advise him about the situation included SMA McKinney as the spokesman of the Army enlisted soldiers. In February 1997, McKinney was himself accused by a female former subordinate of improper advances. The Army suspended him from his SMA duties in February 1997 while the charges were investigated; in May–October of that year, two Command Sergeants Major—one McKinney's twin brother, James C. McKinney; the other, CSM Jerry T. Alley—took over his duties in rotation. While McKinney was suspended from his duties as SMA, five more female soldiers accused him of similar improprieties. In November 1997, the Article 32 investigating panel
(U.S. military counterpart to a grand jury) completed its investigation and recommended charges for a court-martial
. McKinney was thereupon permanently reassigned out of his SMA billet and laterally redesignated to the rank of Command Sergeant Major; his successor, SMA Robert E. Hall
, was promptly installed.
Command Sergeant Major (then-formerly SMA) 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. Though he retired in the grade of Master Sergeant (E-8), his retirement pay was calculated using the pay rate he earned during his tenure as SMA, in accordance with 10 USC § 1406(i)(1) which dictated that the Joint Chiefs of Staff
, commanders of unified combatant commands, and the senior enlisted member of each service (SMA, Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps
, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard
, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force
, and Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
) calculate their retired pay at no less than the pay held while serving in one of the aforementioned positions.That law was subsequently amended by 10 USC § 1406(i)(2)(A) to prevent a recurrence.
passengers. When the passengers exited the car, one of them attempted to take a photograph of McKinney's license plate, and claimed that McKinney drove his car into him.
Based on the preliminary hearing
in April 2011, a judge ruled that the evidence in the case was sufficient to proceed to trial. He was indicted for malicious wounding (a felony) and reckless driving (a misdemeanor).
, 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.
Sergeant Major of the Army
The Sergeant Major of the Army is a unique non-commissioned rank in the United States Army. The holder of this rank is the most senior enlisted member of the Army, unless an Army NCO is serving as the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman, when in that case that NCO will be the most senior...
(SMA) of the United States, serving from July 1995 to October 1997. He was the first and to date the only African-American to reach that rank in the United States Army. McKinney was the only Sergeant Major of the Army to resign. In 1998, he was courtmartialed on a variety of charges including sexual harassment and obstruction of justice. He was convicted and demoted to the rank of Master Sergeant.
Biography
Gene C. McKinney was born in Monticello, FloridaMonticello, Florida
Monticello is a city in Jefferson County, Florida, United States. The population was 2,533 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 2,572. It is the county seat of Jefferson County...
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, Command Sergeant Major James C. McKinney.
He enlisted in the United States Army in August 1968, and completed OSUT as an Infantryman at Fort Benning, Georgia. 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 Battalion at Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Fort Bragg is a major United States Army installation, in Cumberland and Hoke counties, North Carolina, U.S., mostly in Fayetteville but also partly in the town of Spring Lake. It was also a census-designated place in the 2010 census and had a population of 39,457. The fort is named for Confederate...
; 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
United States Army Sergeants Major Academy
The United States Army Sergeants Major Academy was established on July 1, 1972 at Fort Bliss, Texas, and began instruction in January 1973. Its curriculum is designed to broaden the student's current knowledge base...
, Class 31.
Sexual assault allegations and dismissal
In the fall of 1996, allegations of sexual misconduct by training cadre at Aberdeen Proving GroundAberdeen scandal
The Aberdeen Scandal was a military sex scandal in 1996 at Aberdeen Proving Ground, a United States Army base in Maryland. The Army brought charges against 12 commissioned and non-commissioned male officers for sexual assault on female trainees under their command.-Charges brought against the...
and several other Army bases surfaced, and the Army instituted a substantial investigation, with a toll-free telephone hotline that received nearly 60,000 calls within a matter of weeks. The task force established by Secretary of the Army
United States Secretary of the Army
The Secretary of the Army is a civilian official within the Department of Defense of the United States of America with statutory responsibility for all matters relating to the United States Army: manpower, personnel, reserve affairs, installations, environmental issues, weapons systems and...
Togo D. West, Jr.
Togo D. West, Jr.
Togo Dennis West, Jr. is an American attorney and public official who was the third person to occupy the post of Secretary of Veterans Affairs. He was nominated by President Bill Clinton on January 27, 1998, during Clinton's second term, and was confirmed by the Senate on May 5, 1998. He had...
, to advise him about the situation included SMA McKinney as the spokesman of the Army enlisted soldiers. In February 1997, McKinney was himself accused by a female former subordinate of improper advances. The Army suspended him from his SMA duties in February 1997 while the charges were investigated; in May–October of that year, two Command Sergeants Major—one McKinney's twin brother, James C. McKinney; the other, CSM Jerry T. Alley—took over his duties in rotation. While McKinney was suspended from his duties as SMA, five more female soldiers accused him of similar improprieties. In November 1997, the Article 32 investigating panel
Article 32 hearing
An Article 32 hearing is a proceeding under the United States Uniform Code of Military Justice, similar to that of a preliminary hearing in civilian law. Its name is derived from UCMJ section VII Article An Article 32 hearing is a proceeding under the United States Uniform Code of Military...
(U.S. military counterpart to a grand jury) completed its investigation and recommended charges for a court-martial
Court-martial
A court-martial is a military court. A court-martial is empowered to determine the guilt of members of the armed forces subject to military law, and, if the defendant is found guilty, to decide upon punishment.Most militaries maintain a court-martial system to try cases in which a breach of...
. McKinney was thereupon permanently reassigned out of his SMA billet and laterally redesignated to the rank of Command Sergeant Major; his successor, SMA Robert E. Hall
Robert E. Hall
Robert E. Hall was sworn in as the eleventh Sergeant Major of the Army on October 21, 1997 and served until June 23, 2000.-Biography:Hall was born in Gaffney, South Carolina, on May 31, 1947. He entered the Army in February 1968 and attended Basic Training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and...
, was promptly installed.
Command Sergeant Major (then-formerly SMA) 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. Though he retired in the grade of Master Sergeant (E-8), his retirement pay was calculated using the pay rate he earned during his tenure as SMA, in accordance with 10 USC § 1406(i)(1) which dictated that the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Joint Chiefs of Staff
The Joint Chiefs of Staff is a body of senior uniformed leaders in the United States Department of Defense who advise the Secretary of Defense, the Homeland Security Council, the National Security Council and the President on military matters...
, commanders of unified combatant commands, and the senior enlisted member of each service (SMA, Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps
Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps
Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps is a unique non-commissioned rank and billet in the United States Marine Corps....
, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
The Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy is a unique non-commissioned rank in the United States Navy, which has a paygrade of E-9. The holder of this rank and post is the most senior enlisted member of the U.S...
, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard
The Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard is a unique non-commissioned rank in the United States Coast Guard.The holder of this rank and post is the senior enlisted member of the U.S...
, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force
The Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force is a unique non-commissioned rank in the United States Air Force. The holder of this rank and post represents the highest enlisted level of leadership in the Air Force, and as such, provides direction for the enlisted corps and represents their interests,...
, and Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman
Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman is a military position within the United States Department of Defense and is the most senior noncommissioned or petty officer overall in the United States Armed Forces...
) calculate their retired pay at no less than the pay held while serving in one of the aforementioned positions.That law was subsequently amended by 10 USC § 1406(i)(2)(A) to prevent a recurrence.
Felony charge
On October 25, 2010, McKinney allegedly hit a man with a car on purpose, and was charged with felony malicious wounding. This occurred after McKinney was driving erratically with two slugSlugging
Slugging, also known as casual carpooling, is the practice of forming ad hoc, informal carpools for purposes of commuting, essentially a variation of ride-share commuting and hitchhiking. While the practice is most common and most publicized in the congested Washington, D.C. area, slugging also...
passengers. When the passengers exited the car, one of them attempted to take a photograph of McKinney's license plate, and claimed that McKinney drove his car into him.
Based on the preliminary hearing
Preliminary hearing
Within some criminal justice systems, a preliminary hearing is a proceeding, after a criminal complaint has been filed by the prosecutor, to determine whether there is enough evidence to require a trial...
in April 2011, a judge ruled that the evidence in the case was sufficient to proceed to trial. He was indicted for malicious wounding (a felony) and reckless driving (a misdemeanor).
Awards and decorations
McKinney's awards and decorations include the Legion of MeritLegion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
, Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
with Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with Three Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal
Good Conduct Medal
The Good Conduct Medal is one of the oldest military awards of the United States military. The Navy Good Conduct Medal was first issued in 1869, followed by a Marine version in 1896. The Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal was issued in 1923 and the Army Good Conduct Medal in 1941. The Air Force was...
, National Defense Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
The National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower...
, Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
The Vietnam Service Medal is a military award which was created in 1965 by order of President Lyndon B. Johnson. The distinctive design was the creation of sculptor Thomas Hudson Jones, a former employee of the Army Institute of Heraldry. The medal is issued to recognize military service during...
, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge
Combat Infantryman Badge
The Combat Infantryman Badge is the U.S. Army combat service recognition decoration awarded to soldiers—enlisted men and officers holding colonel rank or below, who personally fought in active ground combat while an assigned member of either an infantry or a Special Forces unit, of brigade size...
, and the Parachutist Badge.
Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
Bronze StarBronze Star MedalThe Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
with oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Service MedalMeritorious Service Medal (United States)The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
with three oak leaf clusters
Army Commendation Ribbon
Army Achievement MedalAchievement MedalThe Achievement Medal is a military decoration of the United States military. The Achievement Medal was first proposed as a means to recognize the contributions of junior officers and enlisted personnel who were not eligible to receive the higher Commendation Medal or the Meritorious Service...
Good Conduct MedalGood Conduct MedalThe Good Conduct Medal is one of the oldest military awards of the United States military. The Navy Good Conduct Medal was first issued in 1869, followed by a Marine version in 1896. The Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal was issued in 1923 and the Army Good Conduct Medal in 1941. The Air Force was...
National Defense Service MedalNational Defense Service MedalThe National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower...
with bronze star device
Vietnam Service MedalVietnam Service MedalThe Vietnam Service Medal is a military award which was created in 1965 by order of President Lyndon B. Johnson. The distinctive design was the creation of sculptor Thomas Hudson Jones, a former employee of the Army Institute of Heraldry. The medal is issued to recognize military service during...
with campaign star
NCO Professional Education Ribbon with numeral 4 device
Army Service RibbonArmy Service RibbonThe Army Service Ribbon is a military decoration of the United States Army that was established by the Secretary of the Army on 10 April 1981 as announced in Department of the Army General Order 15, dated 10 October 1990....
Overseas Service RibbonOverseas Service RibbonAn Overseas Service Ribbon is a service military award of the United States military which recognizes those service members who have performed military tours of duty outside the borders of the United States of America. There are different versions of the Overseas Service Ribbons for the U.S. Army,...
Republic of Vietnam Campaign MedalVietnam Campaign MedalThe Vietnam Campaign Medal is a military recognition awarded by the Republic of Vietnam, , to any member of the United States, Australian, New Zealand and allied military forces serving six months or more in support of Republic of Vietnam military operations.Established in 1966, the decoration is...
Combat Infantryman BadgeCombat Infantryman BadgeThe Combat Infantryman Badge is the U.S. Army combat service recognition decoration awarded to soldiers—enlisted men and officers holding colonel rank or below, who personally fought in active ground combat while an assigned member of either an infantry or a Special Forces unit, of brigade size...
Parachutist BadgeParachutist BadgeThe Parachutist Badge or Parachutist Brevet is a military badge awarded by the Armed Forces of most countries in the world to soldiers who receive the proper parachute training and accomplish the required number of jumps. It is difficult to assess which country was the first to introduce such award...