State Command Sergeant Major & Senior Enlisted Leader
State Command Sergeant Major and Senior Enlisted Leader of the Michigan Army National Guard
CSM William W. Russell III was born in Madison Heights, Michigan and enlisted in the U.S. Army on May 16, 1989. He served for 10 years on active duty as a Wheeled Vehicle Operator. CSM Russell III enlisted in the Michigan Army National Guard immediately after serving on active duty with the 210th Military Police Company as a Section Sergeant.
His assignments with the Michigan Army National Guard include, Platoon Sergeant 1461st CBT HET Company, First Sergeant 1072nd Maintenance Company, Command Sergeant Major 1225th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, Command Sergeant Major 272nd Regional Support Group, Command Sergeant Major/Commandant 177th Regional Training Institute, Command Sergeant Major 177th Military Police Brigade, State Command Sergeant Major and Senior Enlisted Advisor of the Michigan National Guard.
CSM Russell III has three children, DeSeandra, Alfonzo, and 1LT William Russell IV.
EDUCATION:
2014 United States Army Sergeants Major Academy
2009 First Sergeant Course
2006 Advanced Non Commissioned Officer Course - Distinguished Honor Graduate
1997 Basic Non Commissioned Officer Course
1994 Primary Leadership Development Course
ASSIGNMENTS:
May 1989 - June 1999, United States Army
June 1999 - July 2000, Section Sergeant, HHD 210th Military Police Battalion, Taylor, Michigan
July 2000 - October 2007, Platoon Sergeant, 1461st Transportation Company, Jackson, Michigan
October 2007 - January 2012, First Sergeant, 1072nd Maintenance Company, Detroit, Michigan
January 2012 - January 2015, Command Sergeant Major, 1225th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, Detroit, Michigan
January 2015 - December 2016, Command Sergeant Major, 272nd Regional Support Group, Jackson, Michigan
December 2016 - April 2019, Command Sergeant Major/Commandant, 177th Regional Training Institute, Augusta, Michigan
April 2019 - January 2021, Command Sergeant Major, 177th Military Police Brigade, Taylor, Michigan
January 2021 - Present, Michigan National Guard Senior Enlisted Leader, Lansing, Michigan
AWARDS & DECORATIONS:
Bronze Star Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (2nd Award)
Army Commendation Medal (3rd Award)
Army Achievement Medal (6th Award)
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Army Meritorious Unit Commendation
Army Good Conduct Medal (4th Award)
Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (3rd Award)
National Defense Service Medal (1 Bronze Service Star)
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Southwest Asia Service Medal (3 Bronze Service Stars)
Iraq Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Reserved Medal (Hourglass and M-Device)
Noncommissioned Officer's Professional Development Ribbon (Number 5)
Army Service Ribbon
Overseas Service Ribbon (2nd Award)
Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon
United Nations Medal
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
Driver Badge
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:
Sergeant, 22 September 1994
Staff Sergeant, 22 June 1999
Sergeant First Class, 24 December 2003
First Sergeant, 3 February 2008
Command Sergeant Major, 28 January 2012
