Transportation veteran becomes MTMC's top NCO - Military Transportation Management Command - Brief Article

Translog: Journal of Military Transportation Management, May-June, 2001

Command Sgt. Maj. James Morgan was in Bosnia when he found out he had been selected for the top enlisted rank in the Military Traffic Management Command.

Morgan was in a dining facility when the call from Maj. Gen. Kenneth L. Privratsky, Commander, came in over his cell phone.

"I was down range in the `box,'" said Morgan, who accepted the position on the spot.

In Bosnia, Morgan was doing what he has been doing for years: Taking care of his soldiers. In this case, he was traveling over the Christmas holidays.

Morgan, 44, a 26-year Army veteran, is a natural for MTMC's top non-commissioned officer slot.

The veteran command sergeant major of the 1st Transportation Movement Control Agency, in Kaiserslautern, Germany, arrives June 13 to serve as MTMC's top enlisted soldier.

Morgan is a soldier's soldier. Since he entered the Army at 17, he has served three separate tours in Germany and three others in Korea. In 1997, Morgan moved directly from one overseas tour to another--from the command sergeant major of a battalion in Korea to a brigade in Germany.

He has been assigned to Fort Eustis on several occasions. Morgan has served as both a student and a company first sergeant in Advanced Individual Training. He has also filled assignments as a U.S. Army Recruiter and Transportation School Instructor.

During an earlier tour, Morgan served as a drill sergeant at Fort Jackson, S.C.

What can MTMC expect?

"I live by the principles of my faith, my family, and my future--which is the Army," said Morgan.

Soldier care will get his top priority, he said.

"There are quality-of-life issues out there," said Morgan. "In addition, I will be following the guidance of the Commanding General."

As Morgan transitions to MTMC Headquarters in Alexandria, he will be observing transportation processes in action. He will move his personal property and his vehicle from Germany.

"I'm expecting a lot of success as part of the MTMC Family," said Morgan.

MTMC's new command sergeant major is returning home--he is a Washington, D.C., native.

Morgan will be in Alexandria with his wife, Catherine, and daughters Shenigua, 21; Jakeya, 18;and Kaiesha, 12.

What about the distant future?

"I will start my new career by supporting my wife in her chosen field," said Morgan.

"She has stood beside me through my career and it's my turn to do the same for her."