Command Sergeant Major Bobby J. Vinson was born 31 March 1948 in Etowah County, Alabama. During his tenure as Command Sergeant Major, he inherited over 1,800 Soldiers that were 0% Chemical Military Occupational Specialty Qualified (MOSQ) and began coming up with a plan to get them chemical qualified. With the help of the U.S. Army Chemical School at Fort Leonard Wood, he was able to coordinate a plan to bring the school to our Soldiers in phases that would work well with their civilian jobs. Because of his planning and hard work, today the 31st Chemical Brigade stands at 90% MOSQ.

Command Sergeant Major Vinson is a member of the Alabama Education Association, the Enlisted National Guard Association of Alabama, the Enlisted Association National Guard United States and a Lifetime member of the Chemical Corps Regimental Association.

Command Sergeant Major Vinson’s military awards include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal 2nd Award, National Defense Service Medal with 1 Bronze Star, Southwest Asia Service Medal with 3 Bronze Stars and the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with one Silver Star and 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster.

Command Sergeant Major Vinson has worked in the educational field for 30 years as Teacher, Principal and Supervisor/Administrative Assistant for Clay County Schools and currently resides in and continues to serve the people of Clay County, Alabama.