Command Sergeant Major Robert E. Townes Jr. is a native of Memphis, TN. He entered into the Army on 2 October 1986 and attended Basic Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Lee, Virginia.

His assignments include Ft. Ord, California with the 590th S&S Company; three tours to Korea with the 348th Quartermaster Company and 473rd Quartermaster Company; Ft. Devens, Massachusetts with the 46th Combat Support Hospital; two tours at Ft. Hood, Texas with 157th Field Service Company and the 64th Corps Support Group; Ft. Bragg, North Carolina with the 259th Field Service Company; Ft. Lee, Virginia with the Quartermaster NCO Academy; Hunter Army Airfield and Ft. Stewart Georgia with the 473rd Quartermaster Company. Command Sergeant Major Townes has also deployed to Operation Bright Star 87, Operation Desert Storm/Desert Shield 1990-1991, and Operation Iraq Freedom 2009-2010.

Command Sergeant Major Townes has held numerous leadership positions to include Command Post North Sergeant Major, Base Closure Assistance Team NCOIC, Company First Sergeant, Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Course Branch Chief, Senior Small Group Leader, Operation Sergeant, Platoon Sergeant, Squad Leader, and Team Chief.

Command Sergeant Major Townes military education includes: the Primary Leadership Development Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Course, Equal Opportunity Course, Unit Movement Course, Instructor Training Course, First Sergeant Course, and the United States Army Sergeant Major Academy (Class 59). Command Sergeant Major Townes also holds an Associate Degree in General Studies from Central Texas College.