An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

173RD Airborne Brigade Commander

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 173rd Airborne Brigade, 3rd Brigade Combat Team / 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), 1st Brigade Combat Team / 82nd Airborne Division, Alaskan Command (US Northern Command), 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) / 25th Infantry Division, and the 25th 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

173RD Airborne Brigade Sergeant Major

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 3rd Ranger Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Georgia; HHC 5th Ranger Training Battalion, Dahlonega, Georgia; 74th Infantry Detachment (Long Range Surveillance), 173RD  Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), Charlie Company 1-503RD  and HHC 1-503RD , 173RD  Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), Vicenza, Italy, Delta Company 4th Ranger Training Battalion (Reconnaissance Surveillance Leaders Course), Fort Benning, Georgia, Able Company and HHC 2-503RD, 173RD 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 1-509TH (Airborne), Fort Polk, Louisiana and 2nd Battalion 4th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade 10th Mountain Division (Light) Fort Polk, Louisiana, 3rd Squadron 1st 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 (3rd Award), the Meritorious Service Medal (6th Award), the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with Valor device (4th award) the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal (5th Award), Good Conduct Medal (7th 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 173RD 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

Home : About Us : Leadership
ArticleCS

4-319TH AFAR COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR

CSM Bryan H. Valentine

 

 

Sergeant Major Valentine is a native of Alliance, Ohio. He entered the Army on June 21st, 2001 as a 13F Fire Support Specialist (Forward Observer).

He attended Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Then attended the United States Army Airborne course followed by the Ranger Indoctrination Program (RIP) at Fort Benning, Georgia.

He has served all leadership positions from Forward Observer to a Division G3 Operations Sergeant Major. Additionally he has held the responsibilities as Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC), JTAC Instructor, JTAC Program Manager, and JTAC Senior Enlisted Evaluator.

Sergeant Major Valentine’s stateside assignments include 3rd Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment Fort Benning, GA, 1st Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment Hunter Army Airfield, GA, the 75th Ranger Regimental Headquarters Fort Benning, GA, 1st Battalion 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Bragg, NC, 82nd Airborne Division Headquarters Fort Bragg, NC and the 10th Mountain Division Headquarters Fort Drum, NY.  Sergeant Major Valentine has 12 combat deployments to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Freedom Sentinel and 4 combat deployments to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sergeant Major Valentine’s military education includes Basic Leaders Course (BLC), Advanced Leaders Course (ALC), Senior Leaders Course (SLC), Combat Life Saver (CLS) Plus, Airborne Course, RIP, Ranger Course, Pathfinder Course, Jump Master Course, Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape Course (SERE-C), Special Operations Terminal Attack Controller Course (SOTACC), Expeditionary Warfare Training Group Atlantic Tactical Air Control Party (EWTGLANT TACP), the XVIII ABN Corps 1SG and Commander Course, and the Sergeants Major Academy Class 70.

Sergeant Major Valentine’s awards and decorations include Bronze Star Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, Joint Service Commendation Metal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Joint Service Achievement Metal, Army Achievement Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Navy Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal 7th Award, National Defense Service Metal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 1 Silver Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with 4 Bronze Stars, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon 5th Award, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon 2nd Award, NATO Metal, Presidential Unit Citation with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Joint Meritorious Unit Award and Valorous Unit Award. He has earned the shoulder sleeve insignia for former wartime service, Combat Action Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Ranger Tab, and is also a member of the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara. His foreign awards include the Italian, Chilean, Australian, and German jump wings.

Sergeant Major Valentine has been married for 14 years to his wife Kristi from Alliance, Ohio. They have three children, Ace Carl (10 years old), Emma Ruth (7 years old) and Mac Joseph (5 years old).

Sergeant Major Valentine is a native of Alliance, Ohio. He entered the Army on June 21st, 2001 as a 13F Fire Support Specialist (Forward Observer).

He attended Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Then attended the United States Army Airborne course followed by the Ranger Indoctrination Program (RIP) at Fort Benning, Georgia.

He has served all leadership positions from Forward Observer to a Division G3 Operations Sergeant Major. Additionally he has held the responsibilities as Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC), JTAC Instructor, JTAC Program Manager, and JTAC Senior Enlisted Evaluator.

Sergeant Major Valentine’s stateside assignments include 3rd Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment Fort Benning, GA, 1st Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment Hunter Army Airfield, GA, the 75th Ranger Regimental Headquarters Fort Benning, GA, 1st Battalion 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Bragg, NC, 82nd Airborne Division Headquarters Fort Bragg, NC and the 10th Mountain Division Headquarters Fort Drum, NY.  Sergeant Major Valentine has 12 combat deployments to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Freedom Sentinel and 4 combat deployments to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sergeant Major Valentine’s military education includes Basic Leaders Course (BLC), Advanced Leaders Course (ALC), Senior Leaders Course (SLC), Combat Life Saver (CLS) Plus, Airborne Course, RIP, Ranger Course, Pathfinder Course, Jump Master Course, Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape Course (SERE-C), Special Operations Terminal Attack Controller Course (SOTACC), Expeditionary Warfare Training Group Atlantic Tactical Air Control Party (EWTGLANT TACP), the XVIII ABN Corps 1SG and Commander Course, and the Sergeants Major Academy Class 70.

Sergeant Major Valentine’s awards and decorations include Bronze Star Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, Joint Service Commendation Metal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Joint Service Achievement Metal, Army Achievement Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Navy Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal 7th Award, National Defense Service Metal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 1 Silver Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with 4 Bronze Stars, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon 5th Award, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon 2nd Award, NATO Metal, Presidential Unit Citation with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Joint Meritorious Unit Award and Valorous Unit Award. He has earned the shoulder sleeve insignia for former wartime service, Combat Action Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Ranger Tab, and is also a member of the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara. His foreign awards include the Italian, Chilean, Australian, and German jump wings.

Sergeant Major Valentine has been married for 14 years to his wife Kristi from Alliance, Ohio. They have three children, Ace Carl (10 years old), Emma Ruth (7 years old) and Mac Joseph (5 years old).

 

Staying Connected
Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil Veteran's Crisis Line