Kenneth Persson
NAME: Command Sergeant Major (Ret) Kenneth V. Persson Sr.
POB: Cheyenne, WY DOB: 5 December 1942
JOB TITLE: United States Army Retired, Owner/Operator-KVP Ranch, Lander, WY
CSM Persson has an Associate of Arts Degree in Wildlife Management from Eastern Wyoming College, an Associate of Applied Science in Law Enforcement from Casper College, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Range Management from the University of Wyoming. He is also a Certified Professional Peace Officer and a graduate of the Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy, a Lecturing Practitioner at the Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy and has completed the National Rifle Association Police Firearms Instructors Course. He has also completed 17 credit hours of Emergency Management Courses through FEMA.
CSM Persson served on Active Duty for 3 years in Germany as a Personnel Sergeant and Finance Sergeant and completed his active duty tour with the 9th ID at Ft Riley, KS as a Finance Sergeant. CSM Persson enlisted in the Wyoming Army National Guard in November, 1972 and served as a howitzer section chief, gunnery sergeant, firing battery First Sergeant and a battalion Command Sergeant Major. Command Sergeant Major Persson was selected as the 6th State Command Sergeant Major for the Wyoming Army National Guard and served as the senior enlisted soldier in the Wyoming Army National Guard from 19 June 1992 until 30 September 2001. As such, he was the primary source of information and principle advisor to The Adjutant General on those matters concerning Wyoming Army National Guard enlisted personnel and their families. He was a member of the State Qualitative Retention Board, the Command Sergeant Major and Sergeant Major promotion board, the State Safety Board, the Joint Executive Council, the Army Readiness Board, the Joint Readiness Board, the Acquisition Planning Board, the State Soldier/NCO of the Year Board, the 5th Army Soldier/NCO of the Year Board, State Academic Advisory Board, Vice President of the State Chapter of the Association of the United States Army, served as President of the State Enlisted Promotion System Board and a member of the National Guard Bureau CSM Advisory Council. After leaving the Wyoming Army Guard, CSM Persson transferred to the US Army Reserves and was assigned as a Division Sergeant Major for US Army Personnel Command until his retirement on 1 January 2003. CSM Persson has a total of 37 years of military service.
As a civilian, CSM Persson owns and operates a cattle ranch and is a retired Game Warden with 27 years of service with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.
He is a life member of the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States, life member of the Wyoming National Guard Association, a member of the Field Artillery Association, Cowboy Cannoneers, Field Artillery Order of Saint Barbara, American Legion, Wyoming Game Warden’s Association, Non-Commissioned Officers Association, Association of the U.S Army, Adjutant General’s Corps Regimental Association, International Game Warden’s Association, North American Wildlife Enforcement Officers Association, Warren Air Force Base Chief’s Group and the Lander One Shot Antelope Club.
CSM Persson is Past Commander of American Legion Post 33 in Lander, Past District 3 Commander, has served as 2ndVice Commander and Vice Commander for the Department of Wyoming, and serve as the Commander for the Department of Wyoming 2017-2018 and is the Immediate Past Department Commander for The American Legion, Department of Wyoming. Persson now serves as the Post Adjutant for Post 33 in Lander and has been a member of the American Legion for over 50 years.
He is married to the former Patricia C. Brosius and has two grown children. A son, First Sergeant, US Army (Ret) Ken Jr. of Lander, and a Daughter, Gail, a Registered Nurse of Missoula, MT
EDUCATION:
- Military
- Personnel Administration Course–Honor Graduate
- Field Artillery NCO Advanced Course
- Advanced NCO Course—Wyoming Military Academy
- Senior NCO Course–Honor Graduate
- Field Artillery Cannon NCO Refresher Course
- Civilian
- Associate of Arts, Wildlife Management, Eastern Wyoming College
- Associate of Applied Science, Law Enforcement, Casper College
- Bachelor of Science, Range Management, University of Wyoming
- Certified Professional Peace Officer, Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy
- National Rifle Association Firearms Instructors Course
DECORATIONS:
- Legion of Merit
- Meritorious Service Medal w/3 Oak Leaf Clusters
- Army Commendation Medal w/2 OLC
- Army Achievement Medal
- Army Good Conduct Medal w/ 2nd Clasp
- Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal – 5th Award
- National Defense Service Medal w/Bronze Star
- Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/Hourglass Device (5th Award)
- NCO Professional Development Ribbon w/#4(Sr NCO Acad)
- Army Service Ribbon
- Army Overseas Service Ribbon
- Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon w/#2
- Wyoming National Guard Outstanding Service Ribbon w/OLC
- Wyoming National Guard Achievement Ribbon
- Wyoming National Guard NCO Academy Ribbon
- Wyoming National Guard Service Ribbon (30 years)
- Wyoming National Guard Recruiting Ribbon
- Alabama National Guard Distinguished Service Medal
- Washington Army National Guard Outstanding Service Medal
- Excellence in Competition Medal-Pistol
- Expert Badge-Rifle & Pistol
