Command Sergeant Major Robert M. Hosford

State Command Sergeant Major

Command Sergeant Major Hosford was appointed the fifth State Command Sergeant Major (CSM) of the Florida Army National Guard on January 2, 2005.  Prior to his assignment as Florida’s State CSM, he was serving as CSM with the 3rd Battalion, 265th Air Defense Artillery in Sarasota, Florida.

CSM Hosford was born November 16, 1959 in Tallahassee, Florida.  He is currently pursuing a Business Administration Degree from Vincennes University.

In 1977, prior to graduating high school, CSM Hosford entered the Florida Army National Guard where he completed Basic Training and Infantry Advanced Individual Training and was assigned to Company A, 3rd Battalion, 124th Infantry in Tallahassee, Florida.  He transferred to Company B, 1st Battalion, 124th Infantry in Ft. Pierce, Florida where he served as 2nd Squad Leader/Sergeant.  After relocating back to Tallahassee in 1987, he rejoined Company A and served as Fire Direction Computer Sergeant.  In 1996, CSM Hosford transferred to Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 124th Infantry and served as a Platoon Sergeant for an 81mm Mortar Platoon.  In 1998, he was promoted to First Sergeant.  In 2002, he was promoted to Command Sergeant Major and transferred to the 3rd Battalion, 265th  Air Defense Artillery (ADA) in Sarasota.  He deployed with the 265th ADA in support of Operation Noble Eagle (ONE) in January 2003 and subsequently served on his second consecutive Title 10 Tour, in support of the ONE Task Force Iron Shield, Air Defense Washington, DC as the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge.

CSM Hosford’s military awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal; the Army Commendation Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters; the Air Force Commendation Medal; the Army Achievement Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters; the Army Good Conduct Medal; the Reserve Components Achievement Medal with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster; the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star; the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; the Humanitarian Service Medal with Bronze Star; the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Silver Hour Glass and Mobilization Device; the Non-Commissioned Officer’s (NCO) Professional Development Ribbon with Numeral IV; the Army Service Ribbon; the Army Reserve Component Oversees Training with Numeral 2; the Florida Service Medal; the Florida Meritorious Service Ribbon with 1 Silver Oak Leaf Cluster; the Florida Service Ribbon with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and the Florida Active Duty Ribbon with 1 Silver and 2 Oak Leaf Clusters.

His membership in professional organizations include the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States, the National Guard Officers Association, the Sergeants Major Association of Florida and the Foreign Joint Service NCO’s Association.