Sergeant Major Duane Strong is a native of Akron, Ohio and a 1983 graduate of Garfield High School. He entered active duty in November 1987 and completed Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training at Ft. Jackson, South Carolina.

SGM Strong’s previous assignments include: Unit Armorer and Supply Clerk, SVC Battery 2-29th Field Artillery, Baumholder, Germany, Supply Sergeant, C Battery 3-29th Field Artillery, Ft. Carson, Colorado, Supply Sergeant, A Company, 1-70th Armor, Ft. Knox, Kentucky, Supply Sergeant, B Company 19th Combat Engineer BN, Ft. Knox, Kentucky, Supply Sergeant, Combat Support Coordination Team #1, Camp Long, Korea, Supply Sergeant, A Troop, 1-10th Cavalry, Ft. Hood, Texas, Senior Drill Sergeant, G Company 244th Quartermaster BN, Ft. Lee, Virginia, S-4 NCOIC, HHC 2-35th Infantry BN, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, First Sergeant, C Company 725th MSB, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, First Sergeant HHC 45th STB, Schofield Barracks Hawaii, S-3 NCOIC, 45th Sustainment Brigade, Command Sergeant Major, US National Command Element, TF Anzio, Kandahar Airbase, Afghanistan, J3 Sergeant Major, 45th Joint Logistics Command, Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, Distribution Management Center Sergeant Major, Army Sustainment Command, Rock Island, Illinois and currently serving as the Inspector General Sergeant Major, US Army Cadet Command and Ft. Knox, KY.

Military Education includes: Primary Leadership Development Course, Basic and Advanced Non-commissioned Officer Courses, Defense Distribution Management Course, Standard Property Book System (Redesigned) Course, Property Book Unit Supply-Enhanced Course, Master Fitness Trainer Course, Drill Sergeant School, US Army First Sergeant Course, and the US Army Sergeants Major Academy (NRC Class 35).

Awards and Decorations include: Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal (1 OLC), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (1 OLC), Army Commendation Medal (5 OLC), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal (7 OLC), Meritorious Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal (8th award), National Defense Service Medal (2nd award), Iraqi Campaign Medal, Afghan Campaign Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Battle Stars (3rd award), NCOPD Ribbon (w/ numeral 4), NATO Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (w/ numeral 7), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Southwest Asia), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Drill Sergeant Badge.

Sergeant Major Strong is married to the former Teri A. Garrett of Akron, Ohio. Combined they have three children, Waymon Garrett, Shannah Garrett-Chisolm, Ryan Strong and two grandchildren Tiana Garrett and Kevin Chisolm Jr.