Command Sgt. Maj. (retired) Emma Krouser
Emma Krouser, a 26-year Army veteran and native of Saint Helena Island, South Carolina, was the true definition of an exemplary senior enlisted public affairs practitioner and leader of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Coast Guardsmen and Marines.
Emma was a groundbreaker and pioneer for women, particularly African-American women in public affairs and the senior enlisted military ranks. She was one of the standard bearers for Army Public Affairs, transitioning the career field from garrison centric to operationally focused and relevant during the Post-9/11 War on Terror era. As a sergeant first class, Emma made her mark as the training development NCO at the Army Public Affairs Center, the proponency executive agent for the chief of public affairs. Emma was responsible for updating and modernizing critical task lists for the career field resulting in long-term training integration and implementation into the Defense Information School curriculum for every Army public affairs officer and enlisted member.
In one of her many deployments, she served as public affairs NCOIC for the 3rd Infantry Division where the Army selected her to stand up the first-of-its-kind 10th Press Camp Headquarters, ensuring it was manned, equipped, and trained for deployment to Multinational Force Iraq, as the core public affairs organization in Baghdad, Iraq.
Emma continued to break through doors as she became the first woman senior enlisted leader of the Defense Information School. During her tenure as DINFOS command sergeant major, Emma worked tirelessly to support the education of a new generation of public affairs professionals who are now dynamic multimedia specialists throughout the joint force.
Emma was inducted into the Army Public Affairs Hall of Fame in 2020 and is a recipient of the Ancient Order of Saint Gabriel reserved for those rare individuals whose careers embody outstanding achievements and accomplishments in the spirit, dignity and sense of sacrifice and commitment epitomized by a career that so singularly distinguishes the individual as a contributor to Public Affairs that they have few peers.
CSM Krouser’s numerous distinct professional accolades reflect who she is as a person. Emma is a phenomenal daughter, mother and mentor to countless public affairs professionals who far exceeded their expectations. Emma cared about her family and her troops, many times coaching them through difficult professional and personal challenges. Many know her as “Momma Krouser” for her superior character, unwavering values and ethical conduct, and deep love and admiration for the men and women she led.