Col. Joshua M. Gaspard

COL Joshua M. Gaspard is originally from Texas. He commissioned as an infantry officer from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 2002. 

Over the course of his career, Josh has held leadership and staff positions in the 173^rd Airborne Brigade, 3^rd Brigade Combat Team / 101^st Airborne Division (Air Assault), 1^st Brigade Combat Team / 82^nd Airborne Division, Alaskan Command (US Northern Command), 4^th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) / 25^th Infantry Division, and the 25^th Infantry Division.

In addition, Josh is a graduate of Columbia University’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and was an academic instructor at the United States Military Academy in the Department of Systems Engineering. 

Most recently, Josh graduated from the US Army War College as a Hoover Institution National Security Affairs Fellow at Stanford University.

Josh is married to Andrea Gaspard (West Point 2003 graduate and former Sky Soldier) and they have four children: Penelope (16), Joshua (16), GiGi (14), and Hudson (9). 

Col. Joshua M. Gespard
     173RD Airborne Brigade, Brigade Commander

CSM Matthew Dale Carlson

Command Sergeant Major Matthew Dale Carlson was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, on March 22, 1978. He entered the United States Army in March 1999 and attended One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Georgia.

CSM Carlson has served in various assignments throughout the United States and overseas, to include Alpha Company 3^rd Ranger Battalion 75^th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Georgia; HHC 5^th Ranger Training Battalion, Dahlonega, Georgia; 74^th Infantry Detachment (Long Range Surveillance), 173^RD  Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), Charlie Company 1-503^RD  and HHC 1-503^RD , 173^RD  Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), Vicenza, Italy, Delta Company 4^th Ranger Training Battalion (Reconnaissance Surveillance Leaders Course), Fort Benning, Georgia, Able Company and HHC 2-503^RD, 173^RD Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), Vicenza, Italy, the United States Army Military Academy West Point, New York, United States Army Sergeants Major Academy Class 67, Fort Bliss Texas, HHC 1-509^TH (Airborne), Fort Polk, Louisiana and 2^nd Battalion 4^th Infantry Regiment, 3^rd Brigade 10^th Mountain Division (Light) Fort Polk, Louisiana, 3^rd Squadron 1^st Security Force Assistance Brigade, Fort Benning, Georgia. He has held leadership positions as a Rifle Team Leader, Long Range Surveillance Assistant Team Leader, Long Range Surveillance Team Leader, Rifle Squad Leader, Rifle Platoon Sergeant, Scout Platoon Sergeant, Ranger Instructor, Rifle Company and HHC First Sergeant, Military Science Instructor, USASMA Student, Operations Sergeant Major, Battalion and Squadron Command Sergeant Major. 

His military and civilian education includes Basic Airborne Course, Ranger Course, Reconnaissance and Surveillance Leaders Course, Jumpmaster Course, Military Free Fall Parachutist Course, Pathfinder Course, Air Assault Course, Army Basic Instructor Course, Combat Advisor Training Course, Basic Leader Course, Advanced Leader Course, Senior Leader Course (Honor Graduate), Sergeants Major Course and numerous other local courses. CSM Carlson has earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Military Leadership from Excelsior College and is continuing his educational goals towards a Master’s Degree.

During CSM Carlson’s career he has participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom I, Kirkuk, Iraq; Operation Enduring Freedom VI, Helmand Province, Afghanistan; Operation Enduring Freedom VIII, Bermel, Afghanistan; Operation Enduring Freedom XIII, Wardak, Afghanistan; Operation Atlantic Resolve (Latvia and Lithuania), Customs and Border Protection (Texas and Arizona), Operation Alamo Shield (Colombia). His military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (3^rd Award), the Meritorious Service Medal (6^th Award), the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with Valor device (4^th award) the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal (5^th Award), Good Conduct Medal (7^th Award), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 3 bronze stars, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with numeral five, the Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon with numeral six, the NATO Medal with bronze star (Operation Enduring Freedom), the Valorous Unit Award, and the Meritorious Unit Citation with one oak leaf cluster. He has earned the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Military Free Fall Parachutist Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Air Assault Badge, Ranger Tab and the British, Hungarian, and Canadian Parachutist Badges.

CSM Carlson is the recipient of the highest award given to foreign military members the “Faith of the Cause Medal” presented by the Sergeant Major of the Colombian Army for his contributions to the National Army of Colombia. CSM Carlson is also a member of the Order of Saint Maurice (Centurion), the Order of Saint George (Bronze), the prestigious Sergeant Audie Murphy Club, and the 173^RD Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) Sigholtz Awardee for 2006. He is married to Martina Piazzon from Padova, Italy. 

 CSM Matthew Dale Carlson
     173RD Airborne Brigade, Brigade Command Sergeant Major