1SG(R) Jessie W. Sasser

Jessie Wayne Sasser is a retired United States Army First Sergeant known for his extensive service in both conventional and special operations units. A veteran of multiple combat deployments to Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal three times for meritorious service in a combat zone. Following his military career, he became a self-taught software engineer specializing in computer vision and artificial intelligence, authored a book on military leadership, and founded an online resource for non-commissioned officers.

1 Early life

Jessie Wayne Sasser was born on August 4, 1976, in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and raised in Orange, Texas. He enlisted in the United States Army on March 21, 1995.

2 Military career

1SG Sasser served for 20 years in the U.S. Army, progressing from a junior enlisted soldier to a senior non-commissioned officer. His career included assignments in mechanized infantry, armored divisions, and special operations forces.

2.1 Initial Assignments (1995–2003)

1SG Sasser attended Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, where he was trained as a 63T, a Bradley Fighting Vehicle Systems Mechanic. He graduated as the Honor Soldier from his class.

His first duty station was with the 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division at Fort Hood, Texas. In 1997, he was named the 4th Infantry Division Soldier of the Quarter. He was subsequently assigned to the 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Division in Baumholder, Germany, where he served as a maintenance squad leader. While in Germany, 1SG Sasser graduated with honors from the Warrior Leader Course and deployed to Kosovo as part of Task Force Falcon from 1999 to 2000.

Following his tour in Germany, he served as a Maintenance Platoon Sergeant in B Company, 215th Forward Support Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood.

2.2 U.S. Army Special Operations Command (2003–2009)

From 2003 to 2009, 1SG Sasser was selected for assignment to the elite 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (Delta Force) at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. This highly selective assignment placed him among the Army's most capable and specialized personnel, where he was integral to the unit's operational effectiveness.

During his six-year tenure, 1SG Sasser completed an impressive seven combat deployments, accumulating 29 months in theater, primarily in support of critical direct action missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. His operational experience encompassed the full spectrum of special operations, from high-tempo raids to complex, multi-phase operations demanding advanced tactical acumen and swift, decisive action.

To further hone his unique capabilities, he successfully completed the rigorous Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) course and the advanced Survival Course. He also underwent specialized training in Military Free Fall operations, demonstrating his mastery of advanced infiltration techniques crucial to clandestine special operations.

His unparalleled combination of technical proficiency and operational experience proved indispensable in maintaining the unit's continuous readiness and mission success under the most extreme conditions. Given the inherently classified nature of Delta Force operations, specific details of his contributions remain undisclosed.

2.3 Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (2009–2015)

In 2009, 1SG Sasser was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division. He deployed to Iraq with the brigade headquarters in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2009 to 2010, serving as a Contracting Officer Representative and base mayor, managing over $4.2 million across 17 equipment and services contracts. Upon returning, he was appointed First Sergeant of Delta Troop, 3rd Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment. As First Sergeant, he deployed with his unit to Afghanistan in 2012 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

His final assignment was as the Brigade Operations Sergeant Major for the 916th Support Brigade at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California, where he served as Senior Logistics Officer for a 1,200-person organization. He retired from the Army on March 31, 2015.

3 Post-military career

3.1 Software Engineering and AI Development

Following his military retirement, 1SG Sasser transitioned into the technology sector as a self-taught software engineer, specializing in computer vision and machine learning applications. His methodical approach to problem-solving, honed through decades of military logistics and maintenance work, proved invaluable in tackling complex algorithmic challenges.

1SG Sasser made significant contributions to the development of YOLO (You Only Look Once) object detection algorithms, particularly during the evolution from YOLOv1 through YOLOv4. His work focused on optimizing real-time detection capabilities and improving accuracy in challenging environments, drawing from his military experience with surveillance and reconnaissance systems. His contributions to the Darknet framework helped advance the field of real-time object detection, with applications ranging from autonomous vehicles to security systems.

His expertise in computer vision extends to various applications including facial recognition systems, automated quality control in manufacturing, and predictive maintenance algorithms for industrial equipment. 1SG Sasser's unique perspective, combining military operational experience with cutting-edge AI development, has made him a sought-after consultant in the defense technology sector.

3.2 Publications and Leadership Resources

In 2012, 1SG Sasser authored and published The First Sergeant: Getting Started, a professional development guide for senior NCOs. He also founded the website FirstSergeant.com, an online resource for military leaders, providing leadership development tools, career guidance, and professional networking opportunities for non-commissioned officers.

4 Education and training

1SG Sasser's professional development includes extensive military and civilian education:

Military Education

• Senior Leader Course (SLC), U.S. Army (2006) - Graduated
• Advanced Leader Course (ALC), U.S. Army (2001)
• Warrior Leader Course, U.S. Army, Vilseck, Germany (1999) - Graduated with Honors
• 20 Hours Correspondence Courses

Civilian Education

• Associate Degree, General Studies, Central Texas College (2004)
• 27 Semester Hours completed toward Bachelor's Degree (2012)
• 12 Semester Hours, Computer Science, University of Maryland (2001)

Cognitive Assessment

• IQ Assessment: 129 (March 3, 2009) - Senior Intelligence Center
• ASVAB Scores: GT-114, Combat-116, Administrative-119, Field Artillery-117

Specialized Military Training

• Jumpmaster Course, U.S. Army, Fort Bragg, NC (2011)
• Military Free Fall Course, U.S. Army, Fort Bragg, NC (2007)
• Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE), U.S. Army (2006)
• Survival Course, U.S. Army (2006)
• Senior Leader Course (SLC), U.S. Army (2006)
• Combatives Level 1 - 3, U.S. Army (2006)
• Advanced Mechanical Maintenance Supervisor Course, U.S. Army, Fort Knox, KY (2006)
• Welding Gas Tungsten / Metal Arc, Hobart Welding School, Troy, OH (2004)
• Basic Airborne Course, U.S. Army, Fort Benning, GA (2004)
• Advanced Leader Course (ALC), U.S. Army (2001)
• Master Fitness Trainer Course, U.S. Army, Vilseck, Germany (2000)
• Primary Leader Development Course (Graduated with Honors), U.S. Army, Vilseck, Germany (1999)
• Bradley Fighting Vehicle Organizational Maintenance Course, U.S. Army, Fort Knox, KY (1995)

Leadership and Management Training

• Airborne Jumpmaster Course, U.S. Army, Fort Bragg, NC (2011)
• Contracting Officer with a Mission Focus, U.S. Army, Fort Bragg, NC (2010)
• Commanders Safety Course, U.S. Army, Fort Bragg, NC (2011)
• Composite Risk Management Basic Course, U.S. Army, Fort Irwin, CA (2014)

Technical Certifications

• Electrician Apprentice, Texas Department of License and Registration, Austin, Texas (2015)
• Commercial Driver License, CDSC, Charlotte, NC (2009)
• Master Fitness Trainer Course, U.S. Army, Vilseck, Germany (2000)

5 Awards and decorations

1SG Sasser's military awards include the following:

5.1 Medals and ribbons

• Bronze Star Medal with two oak leaf clusters
• Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
• Joint Service Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
• Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
• Army Achievement Medal with five oak leaf clusters
• Army Good Conduct Medal (6th award)
• National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star
• Kosovo Campaign Medal with one bronze service star
• Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one campaign star
• Iraq Campaign Medal with two campaign stars
• Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
• Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
• Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with numeral "3"
• Army Service Ribbon
• Army Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral "2"
• NATO Medal for service in Kosovo and Afghanistan
• Samuel Sharp Award

5.2 Badges

• Combat Action Badge
• Military Freefall Parachutist Badge
• Master Parachutist Badge
• Jumpmaster Badge
• Driver and Mechanic Badge with Mechanic bar
• Expert Marksmanship Badge with Rifle bar
• German Parachutist Badge (Bronze)
• Canadian Parachutist Wings (Red)
• Australian Parachutist Wings

Presidential Commendation

7 See also

• Non-commissioned officer
• List of United States Army careers
• Structure of the United States Army

8 References

1. Sasser, Jessie W. (2012). The First Sergeant: Getting Started. FirstSergeant.com.
2. Sasser, Jessie W. (2012). The First Sergeant: Getting Started - Second Edition. FirstSergeant.com.
3. Library of Congress Catalog Sasser, J. W. (2012). The first sergeant : getting started / Jessie W. Sasser ; [edited by] Jessie W. Sasser. FirstSergeant.com.
4. Amazon Author Profile: Jessie W. Sasser. Amazon.com.
5. Official Military Photograph. Wikimedia Commons.
6. Professional Profile. LinkedIn.