Command Sergeant Major Dennis Jay Thomas enlisted in the Kentucky Army National Guard in January 1988. He was assigned as the Command Sergeant Major of the 81st Readiness Division on 25 January 2021.
CSM Thomas has demonstrated continued dedication and loyalty to Soldiers throughout his military career by serving in positions of increasing responsibility and leadership. He most recently served as the CSM for the 80th Training Command (TASS). He served as the 451st Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) while deployed to Kuwait in 2016. He served as the CSM of the 78th Training Division, CSM of the 290th Military Police Brigade, CSM of the 640th Regional Support Group, CSM of the 530th Military Police Battalion, while deployed to Iraq, and CSM of the 6025th Garrison Support Unit.
CSM Thomas is a graduate of the Food Service Specialist, Military Police, Armor Crewman, Calvary Scout Crewman, Drill Sergeant School, Battle Focus Instructor Training Course, Air Assault Course, Small Group Instructor Course, First Sergeant Course, Anti-Terrorism Program Manager Course, Child Abuse Prevention Investigation Training, Domestic Violence Intervention Training, Crisis/Hostage Negotiations, Commanders Safety Course, BDE/BN Pre-Command Course, Sergeants Major Academy, The Senior Leaders Joint Professional Military Education Course I, Structured Self Development 5, The Senior Leaders Joint Professional Military Education Course II, The Nominative Leaders Course, Keystone Command Senior Enlisted Leaders Course and Distributed Leaders Course 6. He graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s of Science in Criminal Justice from Murray State University, Murray, KY.
CSM Thomas’ awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster, the Bronze Star Medal, The Meritorious Service Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, The Army Commendation Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, The Iraq Campaign Medal (with Bronze Service Star), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, The Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” device and numeral 2 affixed, Kuwait Liberation Medal, the Drill Sergeant Badge, and the Air Assault Badge.
CSM Thomas is a recipient of the Military Police Regimental Association Order of the Marechaussee in Bronze.
In 1992 he deployed as a Military Police Officer with the 438th Military Police Company, KKMC Saudi Arabia/Doha, Kuwait. He mobilized a second time in support of Operation Enduring Freedom serving two years as a Senior Instructor with the 2nd of the 100th MP Battalion, 100th Division(IT) at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. CSM Thomas mobilized a third time in January 2008, as the CSM of the 530th Military Police Battalion in Camp Bucca, Iraq. CSM Thomas mobilized a fourth time in 2016, as the CSM for the 451st Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. CSM Thomas mobilized a fifth time in 2017, as the CSM for the 1st Armored Division Sustainment Brigade (rear) at Fort Bliss, TX in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
CSM Thomas retired from the Kentucky State Police as a Master Trooper in December 2019. He lives in Murray, KY with his wife Stacey M. Thomas, their son Zachary R. Thomas and daughter Aubrey N. Thomas.