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CSM Daniel Willey

Senior Enlisted Advisor

Command Sergeant Major Daniel R. Willey (U.S. Army, retired) is the senior enlisted advisor for 1st Battalion.

CSM Willey joined the North Carolina Army National Guard in 1982 and entered active duty a year later.  His first duty assignment was with the 82d Airborne Division as a forward observer.

Other positions CSM Willey has held in his career are: aerial fire support observer; fire support sergeant at the company, battalion, and brigade levels; tactical NCO at the United States Military Academy; operations sergeant; and first sergeant.

Upon graduating from the Sergeants Major Academy, he served as the sergeant major for the New River ROTC Training Battalion. CSM Willey then returned to the 82d Airborne Division as the command sergeant major for 3-319 Airborne Field Artillery Regiment and deployed as a Battalion Maneuver Task Force (Task Force Gun Devil) to Afghanistan.

Upon redeployment, he was selected to serve as the Fort Lewis Garrison command sergeant major. He next served as the regimental command sergeant major of the Field Artillery. CSM Willey was then selected to serve as the command sergeant major to the deputy commanding general, NATO Training Mission Afghanistan.   

His military education include the Primary Leadership Development Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officers Course, Advanced Noncommissioned Officers Course, Battle Staff Course, First Sergeants Course, Sergeant Majors Course Class 53, and the Command Sergeants Major Course. He is also a graduate of the Basic Airborne Course, Jumpmaster Course, Air Assault School, Naval Gunfire Spotter Course, Joint Fire Power Controller Course, and the Jungle Warfare Training Course. His civilian education includes a Bachelor of Science degree from Excelsior College.

His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star, MSM with three oak leaf clusters, Air Medal, ARCOM with six oak leaf clusters, AAM with six oak leaf clusters, Good Conduct Medal with six oak leaf clusters, Kuwait Liberation Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, NCOPDR with the numeral 4, Combat Action Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Canadian Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Excellence in Competition Marksmanship Badge, and the French National Defense Medal (Bronze).

He is married to the former Sandra M. Varley of Hamilton, Ontario. They have two sons: Christopher and Zachary.