Army Master Sgt. Willie F. Pearson graduated from the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy at Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas.

The nine-month course is considered to be the capstone of noncommissioned officer training, preparing new and prospective sergeants major for duties as senior noncommissioned officers in positions throughout the Department of Defense and allied nation forces. Course completion is mandatory for promotion to the ranks of sergeant major and command sergeant major for members on active duty, National Guard or Reserve.

The curriculum focuses on leadership, communications, resource management, training management, military operations and professional skills at the highest levels throughout the Army. The joint and combined arms perspective is enhanced through course attendance of members from the Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and international military services. The class consists of noncommissioned officers in the ranks of master sergeant, sergeant major, command sergeant major and equivalent ranks from other branches of the military and allied nations.

Pearson is a signal support systems specialist and has served in the military for 22 years.

He is the son of Martha A. Pearson of Bainbridge, Ga.

The master sergeant graduated in 1988 from Bainbridge High School, and received an associate degree in 2009 from Central Texas College through the military extension program at Fort Lewis, Wash.