Command Sergeant Major (CSM) William J. Gallant enlisted in the Army in June 2002 from Dover, Delaware and completed Infantry One-Station Unit Training and the Basic Airborne Course at Fort Benning, Georgia. Upon completion of training, CSM Gallant was assigned to Blackfoot Company, 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, Fort Richardson, Alaska.
CSM Gallant served in 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, the 75th Ranger Regiment’s Regimental Reconnaissance Company, 1st Battalion, 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, and most recently as the Brigade Command Sergeant Major for the 3rd Brigade Combat Team “Rakkasans”, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). He held all key leadership positions for an Infantry Soldier along with multiple positions on a Special Reconnaissance Team up to the Brigade Command Sergeant Major level.
CSM Gallant’s military education includes the U.S. Army Ranger Course, Basic Airborne Course, Pathfinder Course, Jumpmaster Course, Military Free Fall Course, Military Free Fall Jumpmaster Course; Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course; Basic, Advanced, and Senior Leader Courses, the United States Special Operations Command Enterprise Management Course, and the United States Army Sergeants Major Course.
CSM Gallant’s awards and decorations include three Bronze Star Medals, Purple Heart, three Meritorious Service Medals, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, an Army Commendation Medal with Valor device, five Army Commendation Medals, three Army Achievement Medals, Master Parachutist Badge, Military Free Fall Jumpmaster Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Air Assault Badge, Expert Infantryman’s Badge, and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge.
CSM Gallant holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Homeland Security and a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Alabama.