Command Sergeant Major Zell F. Johnson
Command Sergeant Major Johnson is the NVARNG State Command Sergeant Major, a position he has held since May of 2024.
Sergeant Major Johnson began his career in 2000, assigned to the 1
st Squadron, 221 Cavalry. He graduated from Basic Combat Training in Fort Knox, Kentucky. Sergeant Major Johnson has served in many levels of leadership, from Tank/ Bradley Commander through Command Sergeant Major.
His key assignment include: Nevada National Guard J9 Sergeant Major, 1
st Squadron, 221st Cavalry Command Sergeant Major, 1
st Squadron, 221st Cavalry Operations Sergeant Major, Resilient Forces Readiness Advisory Council Senior Enlisted Advisor, HHT 1st Squadron, 221st Cavalry First Sergeant, India Troop 1
st, Squadron 221st Cavalry First Sergeant, and Section Leader/ EO Representative, PRT Khost, Khost, Afghanistan.
Sergeant Major Johnson’s military and civilian education includes the Battalion Pre-command Course, all levels of Non-Commissioned Officer Education, Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education, Joint Air Operations Command and Control Course, Battle Staff Non-Commissioned Officer’s Course, Master Resilience Training Course, Comprehensive Soldier and Family Fitness Deployment Cycle Resilience Training Course, Equal Opportunity Leader Course, Army Basic Instructor, Consideration of Others Course, and Cavalry Leader Course. Sergeant Major Johnson has completed the FEMA National Incident Management System Course (NIMS), and FEMA Incident Command System (ICS) 100, 200, 300 and 400. Sergeant Major Johnson holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from American Military University and a Master of Business Administration in Project Management from Columbia Southern University.
Sergeant Major Johnson’s military awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (2nd award); Army Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal (2
nd Award), Army Achievement Medal (3rd Award), Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (5th Award), National Defense Service Ribbon, Afghan Campaign Medal (2 Campaign Stars), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal (with 1 Bronze Service Star), Armed Forces Reserve Medal (Bronze Hourglass, “M” Device and Numeral 2), Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (with Numeral 5), Army Service Ribbon; Army Overseas Ribbon; NATO Medal.
CSM Johnson is married to the former Mallory Hank. They have three children.