Dear Family Members:

Welcome to Fort Jackson and the 165th Infantry Brigade. We are preparing to have a very challenging year throughout the brigade and look forward to your arrival. Our mission is to provide motivated, disciplined, and physically fit Soldiers trained in the basic skills and imbued with an ethically grounded warrior ethos to fight and win. As a Soldier, you are responsible for leading by example and maintaining the standard.

The 165th Infantry Brigade consists of four Basic Combat Training (BCT) battalions. They are 1st Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment, the 3rd Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment, the 2nd Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment and the 1st Battalion, 61st Infantry Regiment. The Brigade also maintains a Brigade Headquarters and Headquarters Company. The Brigade’s permanent party strength averages approximately 650 Soldiers and we normally maintain nearly 5,000 new volunteers at any one time. All of Fort Jackson’s support activities (hospital, commissary, recreation activities, child care facilities, etc.), are more than adequate and closely located. There are three schools on post for grades 1-6, all others are transported off post. The Columbia area is rich with tradition, warm hospitality and fun activities. The University of South Carolina’s main campus is just minutes away, with the College of Medical Nursing just ten minutes away. Additionally, there is a community college and several other small schools. I sincerely wish you a safe journey and again, welcome to Fort Jackson. I am confident you will find your assignment here both a rewarding and challenging one. Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information.

“Transforming Great Americans into Soldier-Warriors”

Sincerely,

Clayton O. Sheffield
Colonel, U.S. Army
Commanding Officer

COL Clayton O. Sheffield is originally from Punta Gorda, Florida and is a graduate of the University of Florida. He has held a variety of Infantry command and staff positions from platoon leader to battalion commander with experience in Europe and the Pacific Rim and operational deployments in Bosnia, Afghanistan, and Iraq. He served as a Program Analyst with the Defense Manpower Data Center in Monterey, California and as the Operations Officer for the Rapid Equipping Force at Fort Belvoir, VA. COL Sheffield also served on the National Security Council as the Director for Current Operations in the Defense Policy Directorate and subsequently as the Director for Iraq in the Iraq and Afghanistan Affairs Directorate. He served as the Global War on Terrorism Strategic Plans Branch Chief at the United States Special Operations Command in Tampa, Florida before completing a fellowship at Stanford University’s Center for International Security and Cooperation. His education includes several Professional Military Education courses as well as a Bachelor of Science from the University of Florida, a Master of Science in Management from the Naval Postgraduate School, and a Master of Military Arts and Science from the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth.

His awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster, Defense Meritorious Service Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal (4 OLC), Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (2 OLC), Afghanistan and Iraq Campaign Medals, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Airborne and Air Assault wings, Ranger Tab, German Airborne Wings, and the Presidential Service Badge.

CSM Dooley is a native of New Iberia, Louisiana and entered the United States Army as an Infantryman on 04 October 1987. He attended One Station Unit Training (OSUT) and then was assigned to the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, NY.

CSM Dooley has served in the following leadership positions: Scout Team Leader, Squad Leader, Weapons Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant, First Sergeant, and Battalion Command Sergeant Major. He has also served as a Ranger Instructor, Drill Sergeant and Senior Drill Sergeant at Fort Benning, GA. During his career he served two tours in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

CSM Dooley’s assignments include HHC, 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry, Fort Drum, NY; 5-9 Infantry, Fort Wainwright, AK; 4th Ranger Training Brigade, Fort Benning, GA; 2nd Battalion, 5th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division (L), HI; 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, KY; 2nd Battalion, 54th Infantry Battalion, Fort Benning, GA; 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, KY; Baji, IZ; USASMA, Fort Bliss, TX; Smith Barracks, Baumholder, GE and Sadr City, IZ.

CSM Dooley has attended military courses that include all levels of the Noncommissioned Officer Education System; other courses include Airborne School, Ranger School, Air Assault School, Pathfinder Course, Reconnaissance & Surveillance Leaders Course, Jumpmaster Course, Army Sniper Course and Drill Sergeant School. He holds an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science from Central Texas College.

CSM Dooley’s awards and decorations include: The Bronze Star Medal (2nd OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (3rd OLC), Army Commendation Medal with V Device (5th OLC), Army Achievement Medal (Silver OLC), Good Conduct Medal (7th Award), National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award), Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 4), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, Ranger Tab, Senior Parachutist Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Air Assault Badge, Drill Sergeant Badge, Meritorious Unit Award, Valorous Unit Award; and is the recipient of the Order of St. Maurice Medallion (Legionnaire).