Command Sgt. Maj. Chapman is a native of Laurinburg, N.C. He entered the North Carolina National Guard on July 10, 2003, as a fire direction specialist and attended basic training at Fort Sill, Okla. After a 10-month deployment to Iraq, Chapman transitioned to the regular Army as a field artillery tactical data system specialist in March 2005. Throughout his career, he has served as a radio telephone operator, horizontal chart operator, vertical chart operator, fire control sergeant, chief fire control sergeant, senior fire control sergeant, operations noncommissioned officer, first sergeant, MLC facilitator and DIVARTY operations sergeant major. He has also served as an observer controller/trainer mentor, combatives instructor and non-lethal weapons instructor for the 157th Infantry Brigade.
Chapman’s assignments include: Alpha, 1st Battalion, 113th Field Artillery Regiment, 30th Heavy Separate Brigade; 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, 10th Mountain Division; 2nd Battalion, 307th Field Artillery (TS) Regiment, 157th Infantry; 2nd Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division; Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1-319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 82nd Airborne; and Headquarters Support Company, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division. Chapman has deployed four times to Iraq, twice to Afghanistan and once to Haiti in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, Operation Inherent Resolve, Operation Freedom Sentinel, Operation Resolute Support, Operation Allies Refuge and Operation Unified Response.
Chapman’s military education includes the Basic Leaders Course, Advanced Leaders Course, Senior Leaders Course, Master Leader Course, Sergeant Major Academy Class 74, Field Artillery Master Gunner course, Digital Master Gunner course, Small Arms Master Gunner, Protective Service Training, Non-lethal Weapons Instructor, Basic Instructor Course, Observer Controller Academy, combatives Level 1 and 2 and the Jump Master Course. Chapman also holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
Chapman’s awards include the Bronze Star Medal (second award), Meritorious Service Medal (fourth award), Joint Service Commendation Medal with “C” device, Army Commendation Medal (eighth award), Army Achievement Medal (eighth award, one with “C” device), Army Good Conduct Medal (sixth award), National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with silver and bronze star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, NATO Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (fifth award), Army Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve medal “M” device, Humanitarian Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon (third award), Presidential Unit Award, Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation (third award) and the Army Superior Unit Award. He has earned the Master Parachutist Badge, Combat Action Badge, Master Gunner Badge, is a distinguished member of the 319th Field Artillery Regiment and a member of the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara.
Chapman has been married for 14 years to his wife, Melinda. They have five children: Triston, 24; Giulianna, 19; Keira, 12; Abigail, 4; and Elijah, 1.