Sergeant Major Anthony Powers assumed duties as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Afghanistan District sergeant major on August 11, 2019. In his appointed role as the sergeant major, he supports the headquarters, to include its five field offices, and is responsible for providing professional development, morale, quality of life, and discipline to military, civilian, and contract employees. He also provides advice and counsel to the district commander and senior staff on all organizational strategic processes and district-wide operations.
Sergeant Major Powers enlisted in the United States Army in November 1999, completing basic training and advance individual training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, to become a Combat Engineer.
He has served as a driver, sapper, machine gunner, team leader, squad leader, senior small group leader, platoon sergeant, first sergeant, operations sergeant, and operations sergeant major. His previous units of assignments include Bravo Company, 11th Engineer Battalion, Fort Stewart, Georgia; Charlie and Bravo Company, 27th Engineer Battalion, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Engineer Basic Noncommissioned Officers Course, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; 264th Clearance Company, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Senior Leaders Course, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; 618th Engineer Company, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 27th Engineer Battalion, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; and XVIII Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Sergeant Major Powers has also deployed to Kosovo, four times to Afghanistan, and Iraq.
Sergeant Major Powers’ military training and civilian education includes Basic Airborne School, Sapper Leader Course, Primary Leadership Development Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officers Course, Combat Life Saver Course, Advanced Noncommissioned Officers Course, Jumpmaster Course, Route Clearance and Reconnaissance Leaders Course, Counter Explosive Hazards Planners Course, Basic Army Instructor Course, and the United States Army Sergeants Major Course (Class 69). He earned both an associate’s degree and a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts from Excelsior College, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Leadership and Workforce Development from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.
Sergeant Major Powers’ awards and decorations include: Bronze Star Medal (1OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (2OLC), Joint Service Commendation Medal (with “C” Device), Army Commendation Medal (3OLC), Army Achievement Medal (3OLC), Good Conduct Medal (6th Award), National Defense Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal (with Bronze Service Star), Afghanistan Campaign Medal (with 2 Bronze Service Stars), Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 3), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (Numeral 4), NATO Medal (with Bronze Star), and a Meritorious Unit Commendation. He has also been awarded the Combat Action Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, German Parachutist Badge, Sapper Tab, Drivers Badge (Wheeled), Drivers Badge (Tracked), and the Basic Army Instructors Badge.
Sergeant Major Powers is also a recipient of the Bronze de Fleury Medal.