Command Sgt. Maj. JoAnn Naumann assumes responsibility for her new role as senior enlisted leader of U.S. Army Special Operations Command during a ceremony at Fort Bragg, N.C., on May 1, 2023. (U.S. Army)
Army Special Operations Command’s latest appointment puts a woman in the role of senior enlisted leader for the first time.
Command Sgt. Maj. JoAnn Naumann stepped into the job at a ceremony Monday at Fort Bragg, N.C.
The command oversees the Army’s various special operations forces. As sergeant major, Naumann will advise the unit’s commander and be responsible for addressing issues that arise among soldiers.
Before assuming the role, the New Jersey native had already earned the distinction of being the first woman promoted to a command team position in special operations history.
Naumann most recently served as the senior enlisted adviser for U.S. Special Operations Command-Korea.
After joining the Army as an Arabic linguist in 1996, she began working with special operations forces over two decades ago and completed 14 deployments throughout U.S. Central and Africa commands.
Command Sgt. Maj. JoAnn Naumann speaks at a ceremony at Fort Bragg, N.C., on May 1, 2023, at which she became the senior enlisted leader of U.S. Army Special Operations Command. She’s the first woman to hold the job. (U.S. Army)
Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Weimer passes on his role at Army Special Operations Command to Command Sgt. Maj. JoAnn Naumann during a ceremony at Fort Bragg, N.C., May 1, 2023. (U.S. Army)
Her assignments have included stints as senior enlisted adviser for Joint Special Operations Command, command sergeant major for the 15th Military Intelligence Battalion and command sergeant major for the Joint Special Operations Command Intelligence Brigade.
She’s been awarded a Legion of Merit, two Bronze Stars and three Army Commendation Medals.
“When I came into the (special operations forces) community in 2002, there were very few women,” Naumann said in an Army interview released last year, adding that it was challenging at times because some people weren’t sure how to react.
Her advice to those looking to follow in her footsteps: “Make somebody else tell you no; don’t tell yourself no.”
Naumann took over from Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Weimer at Monday’s ceremony. A Green Beret throughout his career, Weimer is set to become the next sergeant major of the Army, replacing Michael Grinston, who is scheduled to retire Aug. 3.
Army Special Operations Command oversees some 30,000 soldiers and civilians, including those assigned to 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne), Army Special Operations Aviation Command (Airborne), the 75th Ranger Regiment, 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta and the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School.
