What year was the Sergeant Major of the Army established?

The year the position of the Sergeant Major of the Army was established is 1966. This was a pivotal moment in the Army's history, as it reflected the need for a senior enlisted advisor at the highest levels of the Army's command structure. The establishment of this position was aimed at improving communication between enlisted soldiers and Army leadership, ensuring that the concerns and needs of enlisted personnel were adequately represented at the decision-making level. The first Sergeant Major of the Army, William O. Wooldridge, was appointed in this year, which set a precedent for the role's importance in shaping Army policy and addressing soldier welfare. This development marked the beginning of a structured avenue for enlisted leaders to influence the Army's direction and be a key player in its leadership.