Command Sergeant Major Austin hails from New Orleans, Louisiana. He entered the United States Army in 1984 at Fort Dix, New Jersey. He attended Basic Combat Training at Charlie Company, Six Battalion Third Infantry Regiment. Command Sergeant Major Austin attended Advance Individual Training (AIT) in Alpha Company, Third Battalion Fifth Training Brigade as a 63B, Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic. Command Sergeant Major Austin's military education includes: Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic Course, Airborne School, Primary Leadership Development Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Course, First Sergeant Course, Force Management Course, Pre-Command Course and a graduate of USASMA class 57. Command Sergeant Major Austin has an Associate Degree in Applied Science Administrative/Management Studies.

Command Sergeant Major Austin has held numerous positions which include: Company Motor Sergeant C CO, 141st Signal Battalion, Ansbach, Germany with a deployment to the Gulf War in Saudi Arabia, Company Motor Sergeant 4th Battalion 3rd Air Defense Artillery, Kitzingen, Germany, Battalion Motor Sergeant 4th Battalion, 3rd Air Defense Artillery, Kitzingen, Germany, Rear Detachment First Sergeant D Battery, 4th Battalion, 3rd Air Defense Artillery, Kitzingen, Germany, Instructor/Writer 187th Ordnance Battalion, Ft. Jackson, South Carolina, Chief Instructor 63 Bravo course of instruction Ft. Jackson, South Carolina, First Sergeant Supply and Transportation Troop, RSS, 11th ARC National Training Center, Ft. Irwin, California, First Sergeant HHC 4th Brigade, 1st Armored Division, Hanau, Germany with a deployment to Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF-1), First Sergeant Bravo Company, 127th ASB, First Infantry Division, Hanau, Germany. First Sergeant of 539th Transportation Company, Command Sergeant Major 25th BSB, 1/25 Stryker Brigade Combat Team with a deployment to Operation Iraqi Freedom, Brigade Command Sergeant Major 1/25 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Brigade Command Sergeant Major, 10th Support Group, Okinawa, Japan with a deployment to Operation Tomodachi. Command Sergeant Major Austin is currently serving as the Command Sergeant Major of the 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, Daegu, Korea.

Command Sergeant Major Austin's awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit Medal, the Bronze Star (1OLC), the Meritorious Service Medal (3OLC), the Army Commendation Medal (7OLC), the Army Achievement Medal (3OLC), the Army Good Conduct Medal 7th award clasp, the Non Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with Numeral Four, National Defense Medal, South West Asia Service Medal Two Stars, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon with Numeral Four, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) and Kuwait Liberation Medal (Government of Kuwait), the Valorous Unit award, the Army Superior unit Award, the Parachutist Badge, the Drivers and Mechanic Badge, Honorable Order of Saint Barbara, and Honorable Order of Samuel Sharpe Medallions. Command Sergeant Major Austin is an Honorary Member of the Distinguished Sergeant Audie Murphy Club.