At last

For various reasons, including overall governmental slowness, the best NCO in Illinois took a little extra time being promoted to the top spot.  I present to you, Command Sergeant Major Mark Bowman, Illinois State Sergeant Major:

Want to see a few qualifications?  How about a whole bunch...

CSM Bowman enlisted in the Army in October 1979 as a tank driver. He attended basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. CSM Bowman served overseas in Germany for nearly four years. He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan in 2004 to 2005 and again with the 33rd IBCT as part of Task Force Phoenix in 2008 to 2009.

 

CSM Bowman has held various positions throughout his career, including: tank commander, K Troop, 3rd Squadron, 11th Armored Calvary Regiment; tank commander, senior tank commander and senior drill sergeant, Company C, 3rd Squadron, 337th Armor Regiment, 85th Division; platoon sergeant and first sergeant, Battery C, 2-202nd Air Defense Artillery (ADA), 35th Division; first sergeant, Battery H, 2-202nd ADA, 256th Brigade Combat Team; first sergeant, Battery D, 2-202nd ADA; first sergeant, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 2-202nd ADA; command sergeant major, 2-202nd ADA; command sergeant major, Task Force Eagle Bagram, Afghanistan, 33rd Area Support Group; command sergeant major, 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment; command sergeant major, 33rd IBCT, and most recently the command sergeant major of Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix VIII Kabul, Afghanistan and Illinois Land Component Command Sergeant Major

 

CSM Bowman's military awards and decorations include the Combat Infantry Badge, Combat Action Badge, Bronze Star Medal (2nd Award), Army Commendation Medal (4th Award), Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal (2nd award), Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (5th Award), National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award), Afghanistan Campaign Medal( 2nd star), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (�M� and Silver Hourglass Devices and Numeral 2), NCO Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 4), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (Numeral 3), Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon, NATO Medal (ISAF), Drivers Badge-Track, Drill Sergeant Identification Badge, German Marksmanship Badge (Bronze), French Military Defense Medal (Silver).

 

Yeah, finally the right Soldier in the right job!

Here is how I first remember the CSM (Charikar, AF 2004)