Command Sgt. Maj. Neal Sanders Jr was born in Chicago, Illinois July 24, 1981. He enlisted in the United States Army on April 10, 2002, as an 88M Motor Transportation Operator and attended One Station Unit Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.
Sanders has served in numerous assignments at the company, battalion, and brigade levels, to include vehicle operator, squad leader, Recruiter, recruiting station commander, recruiting master trainer, recruiting company first sergeant, and recruiting battalion operations sergeant major.
Sanders has completed all levels of Primary Military Education, including the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy-Class 73. While assigned to USAREC, he attended the Battalion Pre-Command Course, CSM Development Course, Recruiting Company Commander First Sergeant Course, Army Recruiter Course, Station Commander Course, Digital Training Management System Course, SHARP Course, Equal Opportunity Leaders Course, Instructors Course and Master Resiliency Trainer Course.
Sanders’ civilian education includes an associate degree in general education from Central Texas College, bachelor’s degree in human resources business management with cum laude honors from Columbia Southern University, and a master’s degree in human resources with a minor in leadership from Columbia Southern University.
His awards and decorations include Meritorious Service Medal (2OLC), Army Commendation Medal with (7OLC), Army Achievement Medal (4OLC), Army Good Conduct Medal (7th award), Iraqi Campaign Medal with four campaign stars, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Combat Action Badge, Gold Recruiter Badge with three sapphires, and Recruiter Ring. He is also a member of SMA Glen E. Morrell order of Recruiting Excellence and was awarded the U.S Army Recruiting’s Command’s Recruiting Excellence Medallion.