Command Sgt. Maj. Mark W. Bowman assumed duties as the Illinois National Guard’s land forces component senior enlisted adviser November 2011. His previous assignment was as the senior enlisted adviser for the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT).

As the Land Forces Component senior enlisted adviser CSM Bowman is the principal adviser to the Assistant Adjutant General - Army on all Soldier related matters. Together they oversee the training of more than 10,000 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers. Bowman’s focus as the senior enlisted adviser is to provide leadership and guidance and to ensure Soldier readiness at all times.

CSM Bowman served for overseas in Germany for nearly four years. He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan in 2004 to 2005 and again with the 33rd IBCT as part of Task Force Phoenix in 2008 to 2009.

Bowman enlisted in the Army in October 1979 as a tank driver. He attended basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He has held various positions throughout his career, including: Tank Commander, K Troop, 3rd Squadron, 11th Armored Calvary Regiment; Tank Commander, Company C, 3rd Squadron, 337th Armor Regiment, 85th Division; Senior Tank Commander, Co. C, 3 rd Squadron, 337th AR; Senior Drill Sergeant, Co. C, 3-337th AR; Platoon Sergeant, Battery C, C-202nd Air Defense Artillery, 35th Division; First Sergeant, Bty. C, 2-202nd ADA; 1st Sgt., Bty. H, 2-202nd ADA, 256th Brigade Combat Team; 1st Sgt., Bty. D, 2-202nd ADA; 1st Sgt., Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 2-202nd ADA; Command Sgt. Maj. 2-202nd ADA; Command Sgt. Maj., Task Force Eagle Bagram, Afghanistan, 33rd Area Support Group; Command Sgt. Maj., 1-178th IN; and, Command Sgt. Maj., 33rd IBCT, and most recently the Command Sergeant Major of CJTF Phoenix VIII Kabul, Afghanistan.

CSM Bowman’s military awards and decorations include the Combat Infantry Badge, Combat Action Badge, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal 2nd Award; Army Commendation Medal (4th Award); Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal(2nd award), Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (5th Award), National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award), Afghanistan Campaign Medal( 2nd star), Global War on Terror Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with “M” and Silver Hourglass Devices and numeral “2”), NCO Professional Development Ribbon ( numeral “4”); Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon ( numeral “3”), Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon, NATO Medal (ISAF), Drivers Badge-Wheel, Drill Sergeant Identification Badge, German Marksmanship Badge (Bronze), French Military Defense Medal (Silver).

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