Command Sgt. Major Eric J. Soto
Command Sergeant Major Eric J. Soto enlisted into the U.S. Army Reserve in St. Louis, MO in 1992. He completed Basic Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. After graduation, he attended the Psychological Operations (PSYOP) Advanced Individual Training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. In 2002, he enlisted into the Active Guard Reserve (AGR) program where he has been serving the past twenty years.
Prior to his assignment as the Parks Reserve Forces Training Area as the Garrison Command Sergeant Major, he was assigned as the G3 Operations SGM (Senior Logistics Operations NCO) for the 79th Theater Sustainment Command. He previously served as the Operations SGM for the 2d Psychological Operations Group in Twinsburg, OH; was an Assistant Inspector General for the United States Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne) at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina; Senior Operations Sergeant for the 7th PSYOP Group in Mountain View, California; and held positions as First Sergeant, Senior PSYOP Sergeant, PSYOP Detachment Sergeant, Tactical PSYOP Team Chief, and PSYOP Specialist in the 307th Tactical PSYOP Company in Saint Louis, Missouri.
CSM Soto has deployed in support of Joint Task Force 926 (Honduras), Operation Joint Guard (Bosnia), and Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and 2007 to 2008.
CSM Soto’s military and civilian education includes the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy, Department of the Army Inspector General Course, Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Course, Antiterrorism Officer Basic and Advance Course, Jumpmaster Course, First Sergeants Course, Tactical Information Operations Course, Company Trainer Course, Basic Airborne Course, Advance Noncommissioned Officer Course (37F), Dynamics of International Terrorism Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course (37F), Primary Leadership Development Course, Additionally, he has attended the Defense Language Institute for Spanish from which he earned an Associate Degree in Language Arts. He also has an Associate Degree from Excelsior College in Applied Science Business and Administration Management.
CSM Soto’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal w/ one oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal w/ three oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal w/ four oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal w/ three oak leaf clusters, Army Good Conduct Medal sixth award, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal w/ two oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Ribbon w/ one bronze star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal w/ one bronze star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/ silver hourglass device, M-device, and Numeral 2, NCO Professional Development Ribbon w/ Numeral 5, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon w/ Numeral 5, NATO (Bosnia) Medal, Driver Badge (Wheel), Master Parachutist Badge, and Canadian Parachutist Badge.