Gambian Born US Military officer, Sergeant Major Ebrima Manneh has officially retired from the United States army after more than two decades of service with honor.
Manneh, retired as a Sergeant major, the highest enlisted rank in the United States Army where he served in the 832nd Transportation as Battalion Commander under the Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC) at Fort Eustis, VA.
He told Alkamba Times from his home in Virginia that he is proud to serve the U.S. Army to the best of his ability.
“I have served in various leadership positions and responsibilities under the influence of great leaders and strong collaboration from teammates who always valued each other and made missions doable and easier despite the challenges.”
He said: “attributes such as value and competence, especially for servitude and patriotism, championing people as the most important asset have always been emphasized. But, because leaders gave me so much and empowered and believed in me, I found it all embracing, and passing it on essential. Hopefully, that is enough.”
Reacting to Manneh’s retirement, Nanama Kieta, a Gambian serving as a Special agent with the U.S. Army Criminal Investigations Department, told Alkamba Times:
“Manneh was a great mentor and an inspiration for all of us. I’ve never hesitated to proudly invoke his name anytime I have to reassure someone, especially someone of Gambian descent, that joining the U.S. military could be one of the best decisions they’d ever make.
He came, he saw, he conquered, and the process inspired countless others to one day hope to achieve in their career all that he has achieved in his wonderful and accomplished career.”
Ebrima Manneh grew up in The Gambia, West Africa, and enlisted in the United States Army in 1997. He attended Basic Combat Training (BCT) at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Fort Eustis, Virginia. Upon completion of training, he was appointed as a Military Occupational Specialist (MOS) 88N, Transportation Management Coordinator.
SGM Manneh went through the all Non-commissioned Officer Education System level in the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy.
He also completed additional courses and certifications including the Master Resilience training, Army Security Cooperation Course, Commander’s and First Sergeant’s Course, Rear Detachment Commander’s and First Sergeant’s course, Automated Airload Planner Course, Strategic Deployment Airlift Course, Movement Control Course, HAZ 11 and HAZ 12 Courses, Equal Opportunity (E.O.) Leaders Course, and the Army Safety Course.
SGM Manneh holds a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts from Excelsior College, New York.
SGM Manneh served in various leadership positions and staff assignments including Transportation Management Supervisor in the 626th Movement Control Team, 27th Transportation Battalion in Hanau, Germany, Transportation Management Supervisor in the 491st Automated Cargo Detachment, 24th Transportation Battalion, Fort Eustis, Virginia, Senior Movement NCO (Detachment Sergeant) in the 497th Movement Control Team, 14th Transportation Battalion, Camp Darby, Italy, Instructor/Writer, United States Army Transportation School, Staff and Faculty, Fort Lee, Virginia, Enlisted Staff Assistant to the G4, H.Q., ISAF Joint Command, Kabul, Afghanistan, Senior Truckmaster, 515th Transportation Company, Turley Barracks, Germany, Operations NCO, HHBN, Wiesbaden, Germany, Senior Logistics NCO, 53rd Movement Control Battalion, Fort Eustis, Virginia, Operations SGM, 25th Sustainment Brigade, 25 Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, Senior Logistics Supervisor, and HHC, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, Fort Shafter, Hawaii before being reassigned to the 832nd Transportation Battalion, 597th Transportation Brigade, Fort Eustis, Virginia.
SGM Manneh’s awards include a Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, Army Achievement Medal, Army Meritorious Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Development Ribbon, Army Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, and the NATO Medal.
