Command Sergeant Major Burdette S. Shields enlisted into the California Army Natiional Guard on 7 November 1977. He attended basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO and completed the Light Wheel Vehicle and Power Generator repair course. He served as a mechanic in Service Battery 1^st Battalion 143^rd Field Artillery in the Battalion Maintenance Section he attained the rank of Sergeant E-5.

Civilian education: 44 semester hours (General Studies) Vincennes University; 21 semester hours (Business Management) City College San Francisco; 5 semester hours (Computer Studies) Solano Community College Total semester hours completed (70). No date projected for degree completion.

Military education:

Currently enroll in the Sergeants Major Academy class 28 (projected completion June 2003)

U.S. Army Basic Environmental Staff Course – Modified (2000)

Standard Army Training System Operators Course (1999)

Reserve Components First Sergeant Refresher Course (1999)

Reserve Components Unit Level Logistics System – S4 Training (1998)

RTS-M Camp Roberts Unit Level Logistics System – G Fielding (1994)

Army Institute for Professional Development Mechanical Maintenance Senior NCO Course (1997)

U.S. Army Training Center ANCOC Phase I, (1992)

RTS-M Camp Roberts ANCOC Phase II, MOS 63B (1993)

U.S. Army Training Center BNCOC Phase I, (1991)

Region 1 NCO Academy BNCOC Phase II, MOS 63B (1992)

6237 USAR School Primary NCOC, MOS 13B (1981)

U.S. Army Training Center Power Gen & Wheel Veh Mechanic MOS 63B (1978)

As an M-day non-commission officer Sergeant Major Shields has served in Service Battery 1^st Battalion 143 Field Artillery his entire career. While serving in Service Battery, Sergeant Major Shields held many position, Senior Mechanic, Ammo Section Sergeant, Unit Supply Sergeant, Battery Motor Sergeant, Battalion Motor Sergeant, Senior Maintenance Supervisor and First Sergeant. In October 1999, Sergeant Major Shields was selected to be the next Command Sergeant Major for the 1^st Battalion 143 Field Artillery.

Sergeant Major Shield’s military awards include the Army Achievement Medal, , Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with 2 Bronze Leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal ,Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with Numeral 3, Army Service Ribbon, California Commendation Medal ,California Good Conduct Medal, California Service Medal, Enlisted Trainers Excellence Ribbon, State Service Ribbon, Counter drug Service Ribbon, Drill Attendance Ribbon with 2 Silver Stars, Wheeled Vehicle Badge Award, Mechanic Badge Award.

Sergeant Major Shields is married to the former Jessie L. Cobbs of Oakland, California. The Shield’s live in Fairfield, CA.