Command Sgt. Maj. Matthew A. Helmer

CSM Matthew A. Helmer was born in Morristown, New Jersey, 13 September 1979. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on 22 April 1999 as a 14S Avenger Crewmember. He completed Basic Training at Ft Sill, Oklahoma, Advanced Individual Training at Ft. Bliss, Texas, and Airborne Training at Ft. Moore, Georgia. He reenlisted as a 31R Multichannel Transmission System Operator/Maintainer and later transitioned to 25H.

CSM Helmer’s initial assignment was with the 3rd Battalion 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment (Airborne), 82nd Airborne Division Ft. Liberty, North Carolina. Transferred to the Signal Corps, he relocated to the 1st Signal Brigade 307th Expeditionary Signal Battalion (ESB). In 2006, the 307th ESB moved to Schofield Barracks, HI, and was assigned to HHC/307th S3, then B/307th. He volunteered for the Military Transition Team as a Communication Advisor assigned to the 1st Infantry Division in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 08-09. Returned to HI and assigned to D/307th (Rear Det) to support the battalion’s first deployment since the Vietnam conflict. Upon the deactivation of the D/307th, he became the PLT SGT for A/307th ESB and deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom (RC-East) 12-13. Selected for MSG, he transitioned to 1st Signal Brigade as the 1SG for A/304th ESB from 14-17. After Korea, he PCS to Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Strategic Command, 1st Space Brigade, as the 1SG for C/53d Signal Battalion (SATCON) in Landstuhl, Germany. Upon completion of the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy, he served as the Operations SGM for 51st ESB, 35th CSB / 22nd CSB at JBLM, Washington. He was selected to be the CSM for the 2nd Joint Communications Squadron / Joint Communications Support Element at MacDill AFB. Currently, the 11th Corps Signal BDE CSM at Fort Cavazos, Texas.

CSM Helmer’s awards and badges consist of the Bronze Star Medal 1 OLC, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with 4 OLC, Army Accommodation Medal 4 OLC, Army Achievement Medal 6 OLC, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal 8th award, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (CS), Iraq Campaign Medal (CS), Global War on Terrorism Medal, Military Outstanding Voluntary Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon 4th award, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon 5th award, NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge, Army Basic Space Badge, Basic Parachutist Badge, Canadian Airborne Wings, German Schützenschnur (Gold), German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (Silver), German Edelweiss Mountaineering Badges (3x), Norwegian March Badge (Silver/3x), Royal Danish Marksmanship Badge, Danish Contingent Road March Medal. Inducted into the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club, Signal Corps Regimental Silver & Bronze Order of Mercury, Space Professional Association Order of Saint Dominic, and the National Infantry Association Order of St. Michael-Airborne (Angelic).

Military and professional education consist of all levels of NCOPDS and the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy Class 70, Combat Advisor Course, Master Resiliency Trainer Course, and Army Basic Space Cadre Course. Completed master’s degree in National Security, bachelor’s degree in Homeland Security and an associate degree in General Studies with American Military University and Liberty University. CSM Helmer is married to his wife Sun Young for 19 years and their two children Anthony (17) and Ann-Marie (8).