Command Sgt. Maj. Derek G. Wise
Command Sgt. Maj. Derek Glenn Wise entered federal active service April 24, 2000, from Columbus, Ohio. He completed one station unit training with 1st Battalion, 50th Infantry at Fort Benning, Georgia. Wise’s first assignment was Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he served as Rifleman, Gunner, Squad Leader, and Section Leader. While assigned to the “Red Falcons,” Wise deployed to Kosovo in supported of Operation Joint Endeavor and to Iraq as a part of the initial invasion for Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Wise joined 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment “Wolfhounds” at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, in 2005. He served with both Headquarters and Headquarters Company and Charlie Company as a Reconnaissance Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant, and Reconnaissance Platoon Sergeant. While serving as a Reconnaissance Squad Leader, he competed in the 8th Annual International Sniper Competition, where he and his partner placed 6th out of 31 teams. During his tenure with the “Wolfhounds,” he deployed twice to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2009, he competed in the David E. Grange Jr. Best Ranger Competition while on mid tour leave from his third deployment, placing 18th out of 50 teams. In addition, Wise was inducted into the Sergeant Audie Murphy Association.
In 2010, Wise joined Bravo Company, 4th Ranger Training Battalion at Fort Benning, Georgia, as a Ranger Instructor. In 2011, Wise again competed in the David E. Grange Jr. Best Ranger Competition placing 7th out of 50 teams. In late 2011, Wise served as a First Sergeant in Alpha Company, 4th Ranger Training Battalion. He was recognized by the Ranger Training Brigade and awarded the Order of Saint Maurice (Centurion) for his contributions and support of the Infantry. Wise joined 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment “Cacti” at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, in 2013. During his tenure with the “Cacti,” he served with both Alpha Company and Headquarters and Headquarters Company as a First Sergeant and Operations Sergeant Major.
In 2016, after completing the U.S. Army Sergeant’s Major Academy, Wise joined 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment “Ramrods” at Fort Polk, Louisiana, as the Operations Sergeant Major. In 2017, he served as the Command Sergeant Major for the same battalion and deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and deployed to the Southwest Border in support of the Customs and Border Protection. In 2020, he joined the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, “Bastogne” at Fort Campbell, Kentucky and served as the Brigade . He was recognized by Division Artillery and 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery Regiment “Proud Americans” with the Order of Saint George for his support to the Field Artillery community. In 2022, he deployed to Poland in support of Operation New Normal.
Wise joined U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii in 2022 and currently serves as the garrison command sergeant major.
Wise completed numerous courses to include: Airborne School, Ranger School, the Combat Lifesaver course, Basic Leader course, United States Air Force Airlift Planner course, Jumpmaster (Master rated), Pathfinder, Reconnaissance and Surveillance Leaders course (APFT award), the Advanced Leader course (APFT award), Hazmat course, Sniper School (Honor Graduate), Air Assault, Army Basic Instructor course (Honor Graduate), the Senior Tactics Certification course, Senior Leader course (Commandant’s List), the Joint Firepower course, the Company Commander/ First Sergeant course, the Master Resilience Trainer course, the Rear Detachment Commander/ First Sergeant course, Battle Staff, Sergeant’s Major course (Commandant’s List), Battalion Pre-Command course, and the Command Sergeant Major Development Program.
Wise currently holds an Associates of Applied Science, Bachelor of Liberal Arts, and a Master of Science in Management with a concentration in Organizational Leadership all from Excelsior College. Wise is married and has two children.