Robert E. Hall (born May 31, 1947) is a retired United States Army soldier who served as the eleventh Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA) from October 24, 1997, to June 23, 2000.
Early life and education Hall was born in Gaffney, South Carolina, on May 31, 1947. His father was a World War II veteran with a Silver Star and Purple Heart. He attended Limestone College in Gaffney before joining the army.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in management from Park College in Parkville, Missouri.
Military career Hall entered the United States Army in February 1968 and attended Basic Training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Bliss, Texas as an Air Defense Artilleryman. He was trained on the Nike-Hercules missile system.
Hall was first stationed at Fort Story, Virginia he quickly rose to sergeant. He was sent to Fort Bliss to an NCO course and then the 8th Bn., 61st Air Defense Artillery Regt. who were transitioning to the Chaparral missile system and trained for six months at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.
In 1971, Hall and the 61st ADA were sent to South Korea to join the 2nd Infantry Division where he was promoted to staff sergeant. In 1972, he would return to Fort Bliss and the Air Defense Artillery School. He attended the Advanced NCO Course in 1974. After graduating, Hall was assigned to the 2nd Bn., 59th Air Defense Artillery Regt., 1st Armored Division as a platoon sergeant. He was moved to battalion operations sergeant and became 1st AD NCO of the Year in 1975. He was also made a member of the Sergeant Morales Club.
Hall again returned to Fort Bliss and was sent to Drill Sergeant School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma in 1977. After graduation he was to return to Bliss and the 4th Training Brigade. In 1979 he was the Fort Bliss Drill Sergeant of the Year and was named the top drill sergeant in TRADOC. This sent him to Fort Monroe and TRADOC headquarters. Hall took the First Sergeant Course during his time at TRADOC and was promoted to E-8.
Hall returned to the 2nd Bn., 59th Air Defense Artillery Regt., 1st Armored Division in Germany where he was sent to the Sergeants Major Academy back at Fort Bliss. After completing the course, he stayed on as an instructor for a year. He was then selected as the command sergeant major of 5th Bn., 52nd Air Defense Artillery Regt. In 1989 he became the 24th Infantry Division's NCO Academy. In 1991, he volunteered to take the advanced group to Saudi Arabia. After the division arrived, he set up Victory Station for new arrivals and replacements.
Hall would then become the 24th Division Artillery CSM, then the 2nd Infantry Division CSM in Korea, First Army CSM at Fort Meade, before becoming the CENTCOM CSM in 1994. He became the Sergeant Major of the Army on 24 October 1997.
As the SMA, Hall published his e-mail address in Soldiers magazine and usually had a laptop computer with him to be able to communicate with soldiers of all ranks. He helped develop and add to basic combat training the seven Army Core Values: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity and Personal Courage. During his tenure the army struggled with recruiting and retention. He discarded the long time slogan "Be All You Can Be and replaced it with "An Army of One." He reported to Congress that soldiers had four essential complaints: pay, housing, medical care and retirement benefits. Hall was also the first SMA to have his own positional colors or flag starting in 1999. He retired 22 June 2000 at Fort Myer.
Personal life In retirement, Hall continues to serve the military community and has received numerous awards to include the Outstanding Civilian Service Award. In 2007, he was presented the Doughboy Award for his outstanding contributions to the US Army Infantry.
Awards and decorations Drill Sergeant Identification Badge Army Staff Identification Badge Expert Marksmanship Badge for rifle Sharpshooter Marksmanship Badge for missile 3rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia Defense Distinguished Service MedalArmy Distinguished Service MedalDefense Superior Service MedalLegion of Merit with one bronze oak leaf clusterBronze Star MedalDefense Meritorious Service MedalMeritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clustersJoint Service Commendation MedalArmy Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clustersArmy Achievement Medal with oak leaf clusterJoint Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf clusterDepartment of the Army Outstanding Civilian Service AwardGood Conduct Medal, ten awardsNational Defense Service Medal with service starArmed Forces Expeditionary MedalSouthwest Asia Service Medal with two service starsNCO Professional Development with award numeral 4Army Service RibbonOverseas Service Ribbon with award numeral 3Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) 10 Service stripes.
References
The Sergeants Major of the Army, Daniel K. Elder, Center of Military History, United States Army Washington, D.C. 2003.