CSM Nicholas C. Ford is a native of Austin Texas. He 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 every leadership position from Machine Gun Team Leader to Battalion Command Sergeant Major (CSM). While not in leadership positions, CSM Ford completed broadening assignments as part of the 82nd Airborne (ABN) Division (DIV) command group, and the U.S. Army Pacific Command (USARPAC) command group.
CSM Ford’s assignment locations include Fort Liberty, North Carolina; Fort Cavasos, Texas; Fort Shafter, Hawaii; Fort Belvoir, Virginia; Fort Bliss, Texas; and Vicenza, Italy. He has deployed to New Orleans, Louisiana, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kosovo for humanitarian relief, combat, contingency, and peacekeeping operations.
CSM Ford’s military education includes Airborne School, Ranger School, Jumpmaster School, Warrior Leaders Course, the Basic Noncommissioned Officers Course, Pathfinder School, Anti-Terrorism Evasive Staff Drivers Course, Air-Assault School, the Senior Leaders Course, the Military Free-fall course, the Joint Special Operations University Enterprise Management Course, and the United States Army Sergeants Major Course. SGM Ford earned a bachelor’s degree in Leadership and Workforce Development (BA-LWD) from the United States Army Command and Generals Staff College,
CSM Ford’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (2nd award), the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal (6th award), the Army Commendation Medal (3rd award), the Army Achievement Medal (4th award), the Meritorious Unit Commendation (3rd award), the Good Conduct Medal (5th award), the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal (2 Campaign Stars), the Iraqi Campaign Medal (3 campaign stars), the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Non-Commissioned Officer Development Ribbon (numeral 5), the Army Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal (3rd award), the Ranger Tab, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Expert Infantryman’s Badge, the Pathfinder Badge, the Master Parachutist Badge, the Military Free-fall Parachutist Badge, the Air Assault Badge, the Drivers Badge, the Expert Marksmanship Badge, the Ukrainian Parachutist Badge, the German Parachutist Badge, the Chilean Parachutist Badge, and is a member of the Order of Saint Maurice.
CSM Ford is married with three kids and enjoys physical fitness activities, outdoor recreation, and travelling.