FORT SILL, Okla. — In a drill hall full of friends, Family, and Soldiers, Col. Charles Sentell III was promoted to Brigadier General on Jan. 26 at Fort Sill, Okla., in a ceremony presided by the Commanding General of the 108th Training Command (Initial Entry Training), Maj. Gen. Kate Leahy.
Sentell, a Louisiana native, was commissioned as a Distinguished Military Graduate in the Infantry Corps from Davidson College in North Carolina in 1989. Following his commissioning, Sentell served three years on active duty with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. During his assignment as a platoon leader, Sentell deployed in support of Operation Desert Storm earning his first Bronze Star Medal.
The success did not stop there. Upon leaving active duty, Sentell attended Law school at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, graduating fifth in his class in 1995.
While serving as a law clerk for a federal judge, Sentell continued his military career by joining the Army Reserve with the 4013th Garrison Support Unit in Bossier City, La., in 1997. Shortly after, he attended Transportation Officer Advanced Course at Fort Eutis, Va., where he was the Distinguished Graduate.
Sentell went on to fulfil many positions following his graduation. He also deployed to Iraq in 2004.Upon his return, he served as a battalion executive officer, and later as a brigade operations officer. In April 2009, Sentell was selected for battalion command of the 2203rd Mobilization Support Battalion in Bossier City, Louisiana.
In 2013, Sentell earned a Master’s Degree from the United States Army War College where he was a resident student. Prior to his promotion, Sentell was the commander of the 97th Training Brigade, headquartered in Fort Sheridan, Illinois.
In his new rank of Brigadier General, Sentell assumes responsibilities of the 95th Training Division (Initial Entry Training), an Army Reserve unit headquartered at Fort Sill, as the commanding general.
The 95th TD (IET) consists of three brigades and a division headquarters that are operationally focused and functionally organized to provide professional drill instructors to train active and reserve component Soldiers. The 95th TD (IET) also provides individual Soldiers to augment units deploying overseas and a special unit to assist in training Soldiers in the Afghan National Army.
“You were selected for this demanding and high priority position because of your proven track record of performance,” said Leahy as she addressed Sentell and members of the audience.
Sentell had many friends and family members that travelled a great distance to see him get pinned. People that made the journey include his parents, siblings, aunts, uncles and cousins from both sides of the family, an elected District Attorney, and the Clerk and Chief Deputy Clerk of the court where Sentell works.
“It really means a lot to me that my family and friends travelled so far to make this ceremony,” said Sentell “Each one of you has played a part in helping me to get here.”
The newly promoted general will have a busy time commanding one of the Army Reserve’s premier training divisions. He will have to juggle those demands with his is civilian occupation as an elected judge for the state of Louisiana and maintaining a private law practice with his father at the Sentell Law Firm, LLC.
“I am so blessed to also practice law with my father when I am not doing my judge duties and we make a great team,” said Sentell as he thanks his mom and dad for their attendance at his promotion ceremony.
Sentell also shared this promotion with his two children, Samantha and Chase.
Sentell’s awards include the Bronze Star Medal (1 OLC), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3 OLC), Army Commendation Medal (1 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (2 OLC), Combat Infantryman Badge, Ranger Tab, Expert Infantryman Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge and numerous mobilization awards. He has completed the Army Inspector General School, the U.S. Army War College, the Command and General Staff College, the 90A Logistician Support Operations Course, and is a graduate of the Advanced Joint Professional Military Education (AJPME) course.
Sentell’s awards
- Bronze Star Medal (1 OLC)
- Defense Meritorious Service Medal
- Meritorious Service Medal (3 OLC)
- Army Commendation Medal (1 OLC)
- Army Achievement Medal (2 OLC)
- Combat Infantryman Badge, Ranger Tab
- Expert Infantryman Badge
- Senior Parachutist Badge
- Numerous mobilization awards.
- He has completed the Army Inspector General School, the U.S. Army War College, the Command and General Staff College, the 90A Logistician Support Operations Course, and is a graduate of the Advanced Joint Professional Military Education (AJPME) course.