Command Sergeant Major Thomas W. West Jr. is a native of Taneytown, Maryland. He began his military career in June 2002. Upon enlistment, he attended One Station Unit Training (OSUT) at Fort Benning, Georgia, where he was awarded the Infantry (11B) Military Occupational Specialty.
Command Sergeant Major West has served in every leadership position from Team Leader to Battalion Command Sergeant Major. His assignments include Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; Eglin Air Force Base (Camp Rudder), Florida; Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Fort Polk, Louisiana; Fort Drum, New York; and Camp Merrill, Georgia. He has deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait for combat and peacekeeping operations.
His military education includes BLC, Air Assault, Ranger School, Airborne School, ALC, Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Jumpmaster School, Army Basic Instructor Course, Tactics Certification Course, SERE-C, SLC, AWALP Course, Special Weapon and Tactics Course, and Sergeant Major Course (Class 71).
Command Sergeant Major West’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (2nd Award), Meritorious Service Medal (5th award), Army Commendation Medal (6th Award), Army Achievement Medal (8th Award), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Valorous Unit Award (2nd Award), Meritorious Unit Citation, Presidential Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal (7th Award), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal (3rd Award), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (5th Award), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (3rd Award), NATO Medal, Canadian and British Jump Wing, and is a recipient of the Order of Saint Maurice (Centurion).
Command Sergeant Major West is married to the former Natalie Mullins of Baltimore, Maryland, and they have two children.