Terrence Murphy
Retired Command Sergeant Major, U.S. Army. Former CSM of the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence
Background: Former NCO | Military Leaders
Topic: Change Management, Decision Making, Leadership, National Security

Speaker Profile

Summary: Command Sergeant Major Retired Terrence W. Murphy was born in Amarillo, TX, on June 29, 1965. He joined the active duty military on October 20, 1983, attending Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. CSM Murphy started his Army career at Fort Leonard Wood and finished it there.Throughout his 32-year career, he has served in a variety of leadership positions from Team Leader to Command Sergeant Major. His assignments include the 5th Engineer Battalion, Fort Leonard Wood; 547th Engineer Battalion, Darmstadt, Germany; 4th Engineer Battalion, Fort Carson, CO; 317th Engineer Battalion, Camp Eschborn, Germany; 5th Battalion, 10th Infantry Regiment, Fort Leonard Wood; 91st Engineer Battalion, 1CD, Fort Hood; 44th Engineer Battalion, Camp Howze, Korea; as the First Sergeant of HHC, 317th Engineer Battalion, Fort Benning, GA; as the first Sergeant Major of the TRADOC Systems Manager and the Counter Explosive Hazards Center, Fort Leonard Wood the only African American to serve in this position; and as Battalion Command Sergeant Major for the first Modular Combat Effects Engineer Battalion in the Army, the 20th Engineer Battalion, later becoming the 36th Engineer Brigade Command Sergeant Major, Fort Hood. CSM Murphy served as the 16th Regimental Command Sergeant Major for the United States Army Engineer School, Fort Leonard Wood. His final assignment on active duty was the Command Sergeant Major for the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence, Fort Leonard Wood. During his time this was the second time in the history of the installation that there was an African American Commanding General and Command Sergeant Major at the same time. CSM(R) Murphy currently works for United Airlines.

Why would a prospective client want you to be their keynote speaker or to support their speaking event? What are some compelling aspects of your background/career/experience that we should know about? 

I spent 32 years of Active Duty military culminating as Installation Command Sergeant Major of the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood, MO.  I held every leadership position from Team Leader to Command Sergeant Major including as the Regimental CSM.  I served dual service as a Police Officer and Police Chief in a Local Police Department, Taught College, completed a Bachelor’s, Masters and 2 years of the Doctorate Program all as an E-9 and since retiring I Volunteer with the USO, played a part in three commercials and one movie roll, currently serve as a Flight Attendant for United Airlines as well as being a Commissioned Security Officer.  The vast experience I have and diverse background make me a great choice for a wide variety of engagements.  I have done a III Corps Leadership Forum, Guest Speaker at the 1st Engineer Battalion Veterans Reunion, and numerous other Military Ball engagements. 

What are your primary topics/areas of expertise? Some examples may include: Conflict resolution, International Relations, Leadership, Diversity and Inclusion, Cybersecurity, as well as specific countries or geographical regions. 

I served as the Counter Explosive Hazard Center Sergeant Major with training of US Engineer Forces on Change Detection and identifying IEDs and locating them.  I have a diverse background in the Civilian Law Enforcement with experience as a Police Officer and Police Chief plus teaching Criminal Justice at a college.  My Major for the Masters Program was Management in Criminal Justice and in the Doctoral Program in Management with a concentration in Executive Leadership so there is a wide variety of leadership and management experience. 

What are some positions you have held in your career that you would like prospective clients to know about?

One position I held was as Police Chief in the City of Nolanville, Texas.  I was the first black Police Chief appointed for the city.  I also was the first Chief who did double duty as a Police Chief and Senior Enlisted Soldier.  The second position I held was a the Engineer Regimental Command Sergeant Major.  This position is as one of the Command Sergeants Major for the Chief of Engineers and the Primary Senior Enlisted Leader for the Commandant of the Engineer School responsible for training and administration of the MTOE, Education and execution of the Engineer Regiment for the Active, Guard and Reserve forces.  The third Position I will talk about it is as Installation Command Sergeant Major for The Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood.  I served this Position for 2 years alongside the First Chemical Officer to serve as Commanding General.  This was only the second time at this base where the Commander and CSM were both African American.  There were many assumption made by many as to how I received the position was it because of the Commander or how.  This became a teaching moment that everyone can serve and skin color plays not part in the selection it about abilities and potential.  Lastly I served as Adjunct Instruction with Central Texas College for Criminal Justice while Serving as a Brigade Command Sergeant Major.  This was a challenging time with many duties and responsibility and students but it was rewarding and educational.

What are some speaking events you’ve supported recently?

In the last 6 years since retiring from the army, I have done at III Corps Leadership conference with Senior Enlisted leaders, I have done, the 1st Engineer Battalion Korean War Veterans event in Gatlinburg TN, and about six Military Balls as the guest Speaker. 

Do you have any articles or publications? Have you been featured in any? If so, what were they? 

I have not published articles or publications to submit.

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