Pittsfield Soldier first Guardsman selected for Secretary of Defense position

Clements to serve as senior enlisted advisor for the Department of Defense Transition Veterans Program

SPRINGFIELD, IL (01/08/2015)(readMedia)-- Command Sgt. Maj. Jerry Clements of Pittsfield, Illinois, was recently selected as the senior enlisted advisor for the Department of Defense Transition Veterans Program Office (TVPO) in Rosslyn, Virginia. Clements is the first National Guardsman to hold the multiservice position.

TVPO helps servicemembers of all military branches transition from the military to civilian world with various resources including resume building, budget training, higher education, entrepreneur skills and interviewing techniques.

"They want everyone to be set up for success in the civilian world," he said.

Clements said he will miss his friends and family in Illinois, but he looks forward to the new position and helping servicemembers.

Sgt. Maj. of the Army Raymond F. Chandler III personally called Clements to congratulate him on the position and welcome him to the team.

"I actually stood up, even though he couldn't see me, and said 'yes, sergeant major!'" Clements said with a laugh. "It was motivating."

Illinois Army National Guard Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Bowman of Plainfield, Illinois, is also excited for Clements' new position. He said not only is it good exposure for the Illinois National Guard, but it is a great opportunity for him based on his experience from previous positions.

"From his military experience and time with the Illinois Department of Corrections he has a lot of leadership skills that will fit nicely with his new position," Bowman said.

Clements enlisted in the Illinois Army National Guard in 1985 as a military police officer with the 233rd Military Police Company in Springfield, Illinois. He spent 16 years with the 233rd before moving on to other leadership positions such as battalion command sergeant major for 108th Maintenance Battalion in North Riverside, Illinois, the 766th Engineer Battalion in Decatur, Illinois and the 33rd Military Police Battalion in Bloomington, Illinois. His most recent position was the senior enlisted adviser for the 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade in Chicago.

He also worked full-time with the Illinois Department of Corrections for the past 26 years.