Military and Civilian Education: CSM Keith R. Whitcomb hails from Lompoc, CA. He entered the United States Army in August 1985 at Ft. Leonardwood, MO as a Combat Engineer. He previously served as the Battalion Command Sergeant Major for the 40th Engineer Battalion in Baumholder, Germany from 2008 – 2012. His is a graduate of Class 55 of the Unites States Army Sergeants Major Academy, Advanced Noncommissioned Officers Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officers Course, Primary Leadership Development Course, First Sergeants Course, Battle Staff Noncommissioned Officers Course, Drill Sergeant School, Air Assault School, Jungle Operations Course, DLI Russian Basic Course, and various other schooling. He holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration in Human Resource Management and Military Operations from Touro University.

Assignment Highlights: CSM Keith R. Whitcomb’s previous assignments include the following: BN CSM for the 40th Engineer Battalion in Baumholder, Germany; OPS NCO for USAG Schweinfurt, Germany; BN OPS NCOIC of the 16th Engineer Battalion in Giessen, Germany; First Sergeant for HHC and Charlie Companies, 14th Engineer Battalion in Ft. Lewis, WA; Platoon Sergeant in Bravo Company, 44th Engineer Battalion, Camp Howze, Korea; Platoon Sergeant in Bravo Company, 168th Engineer Battalion in Ft. Lewis, WA; Drill Sergeant for 1-26 and 1-34 Infantry Regiments in Ft. Jackson, SC; Squad Leader for Charlie Company, 82nd Engineer Battalion, Bamberg, Germany; Combat Engineer for Alpha Company, 20th Engineer Battalion, Ft. Campbell, KY. Combat tours include Operations Desert Shield/Storm, OIF 1, OIF 05-07, OIF FY08-09, and OEF 11-12. CSM Whitcomb has also deployed to Kuwait for Intrinsic Action # 93-3 and to the Jungle Operations Training Center in Panama.

Awards and Decorations: CSM Keith R. Whitcomb’s military awards and decorations include: Bronze Star Medal (4th award), Meritorious Service Medal (3rd award), Army Commendation Medal (8th award), Army Achievement Medal (7th award), Army Good Conduct Medal (8th  award), National Defense Service Medal (w/bronze star), Korea Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal (w/3 Campaign Stars), Afghanistan Campaign Medal (w/2 Campaign Stars) Iraq Campaign Medal (w/3 Bronze Starts), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (w/numeral 4), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (w/ numeral 6), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait), ISAF NATO Medal (non-Article 5); Drill Sergeant Identification Badge, Air Assault Badge, Combat Action Badge, and has been awarded the Corps of Engineer Bronze Order of the de Fleury Medal and is a member of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club.