Command Sergeant Major, 1st Battalion, 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment

CSM Kyle D. Skaggs is a native of Cherokee, Iowa and he enlisted in the Army in June 2005 as an Infantryman. He attended One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Georgia.

His assignments include Rifleman, Assistant Gunner, Scout, Team Leader, and Squad Leader, 2nd BN, 14th Infantry Regiment, Fort Drum, NY; Squad Leader, 6th Ranger Training BN, Eglin Air Force Base, FL; Platoon Sergeant, 1st Squadron (Airborne), 40th Cavalry Regiment, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER), AK; Senior SGL, Infantry Advanced Leader Course, Fort Benning, GA; First Sergeant, 1st BN, 507th Infantry Regiment, Fort Benning, GA and 2nd BN, 327 Infantry Regiment, Fort Campbell, KY; Operations Sergeant Major, 1st Squadron (Airborne), 40th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd BN, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, and 11th Airborne Division, JBER, AK; Command Sergeant Major, 1st Squadron (Airborne), 40th Cavalry Regiment, and 1st BN, 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment. He has deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo, and Syria for combat and peacekeeping operations.

CSM Skaggs’s military education includes the Combat Lifesaver Course, the Pathfinder course, Ranger School, Airborne School, Jumpmaster School, the Cold Weather Orientation Course, the Reconnaissance and Surveillance Leadership Course, Army Basic Instructor Course, Small Group Instructor Training Course, Tactics Certification Course, CO CDR/1SG Course, Air Assault School, BN Pre-Command Course/Command Sergeants Major Course, and every Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development System from the Basic Leader Course to the Sergeants Major Course (Class 72).

CSM Skaggs’ awards and decorations include the Bronze Star medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (3rd award), the Army Commendation medal (8th award), the Army Achievement Medal (7th award), Good Conduct Medal (6th award), National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with 2 Campaign Stars, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (5), Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Service Ribbon (5), NATO Medal (2), Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Superior Unit Award, Basic Army Instructor Badge, Ranger Tab, Master Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Greek, Chilean, and Ecuadorian Jump Wings. CSM Skaggs is also a recipient of the Order of Saint Michael (Guardian), Order of Saint George, Order of Saint Maurice, and Order of the Spur.

CSM Skaggs has two children; one son, Elias (11), and one daughter, Hadley (8).



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