Sergeant Major Pamela A. Wilson US Army, Retired, served 32 years as a Religious Affairs Specialist on active military from March 1985 to April 2017. Her Basic Training was at Fort Dix, NJ with Advanced Individual Training at Fort Monmouth, NJ at the US Army Chaplain Center, and School. She holds an Associates of Science in Physical Education from Kennedy-King Jr. College and a Bachelor of Science in Education in Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Athletics from Chicago State University, the only historically Black College University in Illinois. Upon retirement, she received her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Trident University International in 2012. Trident University International recognized her with their Teaching Excellence Award in 2019. Dr Wilson was the first female appointed as Honorary Sergeant Major of the Chaplain Corps.
SGM Wilson’s first Army assignment as a Chapel Activity Specialist was to the 142nd Supply and Service Battalion in Wiesbaden, Germany. Her subsequent assignments were varied with increasing responsibilities at every level from battalion, brigade, division, and overseas theater command. In the 1st Armored Division Chaplain’s Office, she was the NCOIC in Bosnia-Herzegovina (1997). She served as the Sergeant Major for the Theater Chaplain in the Iraq War Theater of Operations in 2006-2007. At every senior command position, she was instrumental in the training and development of Religious Ministry Specialists at every level of NCO leadership. Her experience and expertise were recognized by the Chief of Chaplains in 2023 with the award of The Honorable Order of Martin of Tours Medal and subsequently appointed Honorary Sergeant Major of the US Army Chaplain Corps.
Upon retirement from the US Army, her leadership background served well when she was awarded a master’s degree in public administration. She received her doctorate in educational leadership from Trident University International in 2012. She uses her military service and educational background to mentor others in their own professional development journey. She has continued to serve in many leadership roles for veterans, spouses, and varied civic organizations. Her accomplishments include several firsts for the Army as a female.
Her numerous military awards and decorations include Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (5-OLC), Army Commendation Medal (2-OLC), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal (2-OLC), Good Conduct Medal. (8th Award), National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (No.4), Army Service Ribbon (6th Award), Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon (5th Award), NATO Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, and the United States Army Sergeants’ Major Academy Award for Military History. She is a member of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club.
