Command Sergeant Major Christopher Shaiko is the Command Sergeant Major of the 1st Squadron, 16th Cavalry Regiment. He hails from Springfield, VA. He entered the United States Army in February 1998 as a Patriot System C2 Operator and later reclassified as an Armored Reconnaissance Specialist in 2000. CSM Shaiko has served in heavy and light units throughout his career and has held every leadership position including Squad Leader, Section Leader, Platoon Sergeant, First Sergeant and Operations Sergeant Major. He arrives from Fort Irwin, California where he served as the 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment Operations Sergeant Major.
His assignments include the 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, Fort Bliss, TX., 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson CO., 4th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, Camp Garry Owen, Korea, 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, Fort Stewart, GA., 1st Squadron, 38th Armor Regiment, 525th BfSB, Fort Bragg, GA. His broadening assignments include positions as a Senior Observer Controller/Trainer in 1st Squadron, 409th Regiment (CAV) (TS), Fort Knox, KY., and as the Senior Military Science Instructor at Iowa State University Army ROTC. CSM Shaiko has two combat deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and a peace keeping mission in Kosovo.
CSM Shaiko’s education includes all levels of NCOPDS culminating with United States Army Sergeants Major Academy, Class 68. He holds a Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree from Excelsior College, Albany, NY. and is currently working towards a Masters degree in Defense and Strategic Studies from the University of Texas at El Paso.
CSM Shaiko’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf cluster, Army Achievement Medal with a silver leaf cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal, 7th Award, National Defense Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with Numeral Five, NATO Medal (Kosovo), Iraqi Campaign Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal with bronze star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. CSM Shaiko is also a recipient of the Order of Saint George Medal (Bronze).