Command Sergeant Major Russell O’Donnell enlisted in the Army in May of 2000 and attended Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training as an 11B (Infantryman) at Fort Benning, Georgia.
Command Sergeant Major O’Donnell’s initial assignment was to the 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, New York, where he served as an Assistant Machine Gunner, Machine Gunner, Automatic Rifleman, Team Leader, Squad Leader, Scout Squad Leader, and Recon Platoon Sergeant. He deployed during this time 200111-200205 Kosovo (Machine Gunner), 200308-200401 Qatar (Team Leader), 200406-200506 to Iraq (Squad Leader), and 200610-200710 to Iraq Recon Squad Leader and Recon Platoon Sergeant). Upon completing his tour in Iraq, he was reassigned to the 4th Ranger Battalion, Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade (ARTB), Fort Benning, Georgia, where he served as Senior Ranger Instructor and was later selected as the Merrill’s (OPFOR) Platoon Sergeant. His next assignment was at 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, Fort Carson, where he served as a Platoon Sergeant and First Sergeant. He deployed 201203-201212 Afghanistan (Platoon Sergeant), 201403-201411 Afghanistan (First Sergeant). He was then selected to serve in 1st Battalion and 4th Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment The Old Guard (TOG), as a First Sergeant for Bco and Honor Guard Company. After graduating the United States Sergeants Major Academy, Fort Bliss, he was reassigned to 3rd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, Vilseck, Germany, where he served as an Operations Sergeant Major. He deployed 202001- 202007 in support of Enhanced Forward Presence (eFP)-Poland. He was also assigned to 7th Army Training Command, Grafenwoehr, Germany where he served as the G3 Sergeant Major until his activation to Command Sergeant Major.
Command Sergeant Major O’Donnell’s military and civilian education includes the Advanced Infantry Training, Basic Leader Course, Advance Leader Course, Senior Leader Course, 1SG / Commanders Course, Master Resilience Training, Equal Opportunity Leaders Course the Basic Instructor Course, the Total Army Instructor Course, the Senior Tactical Instructor Course, Combative Level I, Unit Armorer Course, Airborne School, Ranger School, and is a graduate of the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy class 69. Command Sergeant Russell L. O’Donnell currently holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from American Military University.
Command Sergeant Major O'Donnell’s military awards and decorations include: Bronze Star Medal with V Device, Bronze Star Medal (2 OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (4OLC), Army Commendation Medal (7 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (6 OLC), Army Good Conduct Medal (7th award), Iraq Campaign Medal (2 Campaign Stars), Afghan Campaign Medal (2 Campaign Stars), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Award (2nd award), the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (5th award), Army Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon (4th award), NATO Medal, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Expert Infantrymans Badge, Basic Parachutist Badge, and Ranger Tab.
