Press Room

Army Band Drum Major Elevated to Command Sergeant Major

Sep 28, 2011

Fort Myer, Virginia - September 28, 2011 - Sgt. Maj. Mitchell D. Spray was appointed to the position of Command Sergeant Major (CSM) and Senior Enlisted
Advisor of The United States Army Band "Pershing's Own" (TUSAB). Col. Thomas
H. Palmatier, TUSAB's ninth leader and commander, conferred the position on
Sgt. Maj. Spray making him the third Command Sergeant Major of the Army's
premier musical organization.

Prior to his appointment to CSM, Spray served as Drum Major, a role which gave
him the distinct honor of leading the members of "Pershing's Own" in presidential
inaugural parades and state funeral processions.

"The position of Command Sergeant Major is special in America's Army," says
Palmatier. "It is reserved for those senior noncommissioned officers who have
consistently demonstrated 'what right looks like,' and serve as not only mentors and
examples to their Soldiers, but also serve as the commander's closest advisor and
'battle buddy.' The Soldiers of 'Pershing's Own' are fortunate to have a Command
Sergeant Major like Mitch Spray and I look forward to serving by his side."

Spray enlisted in the Army in 1982 and joined the ranks of "Pershing's Own" in
1992, after attending the Army's Primary Leadership Development, Basic and
Advanced NCO Courses. He holds the designation of Master Training Specialist at
the Armed Forces School of Music. In his new position, Spray says he is committed
"to maintaining an atmosphere of professionalism, competence, and a genuine love
of performing music," and also feels the position is "a wonderful way to wind up an
incredible career!"

TUSAB is designated as a "special band" and is made up of 270 active-duty musicians
and support staff who perform over 5,000 missions annually, providing morale and welfare entertainment, community outreach, and musical support to troops, the public at large, and senior leadership of the Army and our Nation.