Command Sergeant Major Robert L. Gessler is the Command Sergeant Major of the Medical Readiness and Training Command, San Antonio, Texas. He serves as the senior enlisted adviser to the Commanding General on all enlisted Soldier matters, particularly the areas affecting readiness, training, safety, leader development, and Army Families.
CSM Gessler began his military career on December 29, 1981, when he enlisted into the United States Army. Throughout his military career he has continued his dedication to Soldiers in positions of increased leadership responsibility. He has held key NCO positions: Readiness Sergeant, Retention Sergeant, Instructor, Training Sergeant, Operations Sergeant Major and Command Sergeant Major.
His previous assignments include: Command Sergeant Major, 451st Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), Command Sergeant Major, 89th Sustainment Brigade; Command Sergeant Major, 484th Movement Control Battalion; Command Senior Enlisted Leader, Army Element, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa; Command Sergeant Major, 209th Regional Support Group; Command Sergeant Major of the Theater Support Command (Brigade), Military Intelligence Readiness Command; Command Sergeant Major, 301st Theater Support Battalion, (Military Intelligence); Faculty Advisor, US Army Sergeants Major Academy; Operations Sergeant Major, 5th Military Intelligence Battalion; Training Sergeant and Intelligence Analyst Instructor, 6th US Army Reserve Forces - Intelligence School; Noncommissioned Officer Education System Instructor, 6224th US Army Reserve Forces School; Retention Sergeant, 8th Battalion, 40th Armor; Readiness Sergeant, Charlie Company, 11th Air Defense Signal Battalion.
He is a graduate of the Nominative Leaders Course, Defense Support to Civil Authorities Course, Red Team Member Course, Sergeants Major Academy, Force Management Course, National Intelligence Familiarization Course, Combat Developers Course and Force Developers Course.
His military awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Superior Civilian Service Award, Achievement Medal for Civilian Service, Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, NCOES Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, and the Overseas Ribbon. His regimental awards include the Military Intelligence Corps Knowlton Award, the Quartermaster Corps Honorable Order of Saint Martin and the Transportation Corps Patronus Rotae and finally he is a recipient of the Kentucky Colonels commission for outstanding service to the nation.
CSM Gessler received an Associate of Science degree in Business Administration from Cochise Community College, a Bachelor of Science degree in Intelligence Operations, and a Masters of Public Administration in Homeland Security from Wayland Baptist University.
CSM Gessler currently serves as an analyst for the Department of Homeland Security, Overland Park, Kansas in his civilian career.
He is married to the former Ms. Milagro Oliva and they have three children: Robert, Andrea, and Sabrina.