Command Sergeant Major Connell D. Gaskin is a native from Long Island, New York, and enlisted in the United States Army from Hinesville, Georgia in September 1997. CSM Gaskin attended and completed Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina where he was awarded the MOS 42A, Human Resources Specialist. CSM Gaskin has served as Personnel Administration Specialist and Sergeant, Assistant Brigade Personnel Sergeant, Assistant S1 NCOIC, Joint Executive Administration NCOIC, Platoon Sergeant, Battalion Senior HR Sergeant, Acquisition NCOIC, Brigade J1 NCOIC, Military Support Branch Chief, First Sergeant, Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) SGM and Division G1 SGM.

CSM Gaskin’s stateside assignments include Fort Bragg, NC (313th Military Intelligence Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division), Fort Benning, GA (Ranger Training Brigade), Scott Air Force Base, IL (U.S. Transportation Command), Fort Jackson, SC (3rd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, 193rd Infantry Brigade), Elkridge, MD (U.S. Army Element Defense Program Support Activity), Chantilly, VA (U.S. Army Element Joint Intelligence Coordination Staff), Fort Bliss, TX (United States Army Sergeants Major Academy), Joint Base San Antonio, TX (PEB) and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA (7th Infantry Division). His overseas assignments include Doha, Qatar (550th Signal Company, 54th Signal Battalion), Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (525th Military Police Battalion), and Vicenza, Italy (1st 503rd Infantry Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team). He has two combat deployments to Afghanistan.

CSM Gaskin’s military education includes completing all levels of the Noncommissioned Officer Education System and is a graduate of the USASMA (Class 70 – #Leadthechange). He’s also completed U.S. Army Airborne School Training, Army Retention Course, Drill Sergeants Course, Total Army Instructor Training, Combatives Level 1, Equal Opportunity Leaders Course, Brigade S1 Operations Course, and Common Faculty Development Instructor Course. His civilian education includes an Associate of Arts from Coastline Community College, Bachelor of Business Administration from American Military University and a Master of Business Administration with concentration in Human Resource Management from Columbia Southern University.

CSM Gaskin’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (1OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (3OLC), Joint Service Commendation Medal (2OLC), Army Commendation Medal (3OLC), Joint Service Achievement Medal (1OLC), Army Achievement Medal (5OLC), Joint Meritorious Unit Award (1OLC), Meritorious Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal (8 awards), National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (w/ 2 stars), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals, NCOPD Ribbon (numeral 3), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (numeral 3), NATO Medal (w/1 star), Drill Sergeant Identification Badge, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, Drivers Badge with Driver Device (Wheeled) and Italian Jump Wings.