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Department of Military Science and Leadership
Army ROTC

MSG Kenneth Gayheart

Senior Military Instructor
MSG Gayheart OCP

Master Sergeant Kenneth Gayheart was born in Oberlin, Ohio and graduated from Vermilion Ohio in 2004. He enlisted in the United States Army November of 2005 and completed One Station Unit Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky and graduated as a 19K Armor Crewman. Upon completion of OSUT, he was then assigned to Delta Company 2-7 Infantry Fort Stewart, Georgia as a Tank Loader. MSG Gayheart’s follow-on assignments include U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School (USAJFKSWCS) at Fort Bragg North Carolina; 1-9 Cavalry Fort Hood, Texas; Medina Recruiting Company, Cleveland Recruiting Battalion; 5-7 Cavalry Fort Stewart, Georgia, 1-64 Armor Fort Stewart, Georgia.

MSG Gayheart has served as a Tank Loader, Tank Gunner, Tank Commander, Dismount Squad Leader, Recruiter, Platoon Sergeant, Squadron Operations NCOIC, Tank Company First Sergeant, HHC First Sergeant, and Operations Sergeant Major. MSG Gayheart has deployed two times to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, two rotations to the Republic of Korea, and two deployments to EUCOM in support of NATO Operations.

MSG Gayheart’s awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (2), the Army Commendation Medal (9), Army Achievement Medal (7), Good Conduct Medal (6), National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (5), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal (3 campaign Stars),NATO Ribbon, Korean Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (4), the Combat Action Badge, Gold Recruiting Badge, and the Parachutists Badge. He is also a member of the Order of Saint George (Black and Bronze Medallion) .

His military education and schooling include Airborne School, Basic Leader Course (Commandants List), Advance Leaders Course (Commandants List), Senior Leaders Course, Master Leaders Course, Army Recruiter Course, Master Resiliency Training Course, Sexual Harassment and Assault Response (SHARP) Foundation Course and Cavalry Leaders Course.

MSG Gayheart has been married to his wife Caroline for 20 years and they have four future Buckeyes, Colton (14), Beau (12), Rhett (8), and Hank (7).