Command Sergeant Major Nicholas Ford
Command Sergeant Major, JRTC and Fort Polk
Command Sergeant Major Nicholas C. Ford is a native of Austin, Texas, and enlisted in the U.S. Army in September 2003 as an Infantryman. He attended One Station Unit Training (OSUT) and Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia. CSM Ford has served in leadership positions from machine gun team leader to brigade combat team and joint task force command sergeant major. During his career, he has also completed key broadening assignments within the 82nd Airborne Division command group and the U.S. Army Pacific command group. His assignments include Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Shafter, Hawaii; Fort Belvoir, Virginia; Fort Bliss, Texas; Vicenza, Italy; and Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras. Throughout his military career, he has deployed and operated in more than 30 countries in support of humanitarian assistance, combat, contingency, deterrence, and peacekeeping operations. CSM Ford's military education includes Airborne School, Ranger School, Jumpmaster School, Warrior Leader Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Pathfinder School, Anti-Terrorism Evasive Staff Driver Course, Air Assault School, Senior Leader Course, Military Free-Fall Course, Joint Special Operations University Enterprise Management Course, and the United States Army Sergeants Major Course. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Leadership and Workforce Development from the United States Army Command and General Staff College and a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from St. Edward's University. His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal (2nd Award), Purple Heart, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (6th Award), Army Commendation Medal (3rd Award), Army Achievement Medal (4th Award), JointMeritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation (3rd Award), Good Conduct Medal (7th Award), National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two campaign stars, Iraqi Campaign Medal with three campaign stars, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 5), Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal (3rd Award), Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Military Free-Fall Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Driver and Mechanic Badge, Expert Marksmanship Badge, and foreign parachutist badges from Ukraine, Germany, Chile, the United Kingdom, Honduras, and Portugal. CSM Ford is a member of the Order of Saint Maurice, the Order of Saint Michael, and the Order of Saint Barbara. He is also a Distinguished Member of the 501st and 505th Parachute Infantry Regiments. CSM Ford and his wife, Rocio, have been married since 2013 and have three children.