Sergeant Major Thomas J. Aiello Jr began his military career in 1987 when he enlisted in the United States Army as an Infantryman. After completing his basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia, he was assigned as a Rifleman in Company C, 3rd Platoon (Wolfhounds), 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (L), at Schofield Barracks, Oahu where he served three years. His next operational assignment was in the U.S. Army Reserve at Fort DeRussy Flats, Oahu where he served in several assignments from Administrative NCO, Squad Leader, Unit Master Fitness Trainer, Generals Driver, and Military Occupational Specialty 71L Instructor from 1995-2001. He was mobilized for active duty where he served as an Operations Crisis Action Center NCO at the United States Army Pacific Command, Fort Shafter, Oahu from 2001-2003.
He became a member of the Active Guard Reserve (AGR) program in 2003. He was assigned to the U.S. Army NCO Academy, Fort Lewis, Washington where he served as Advanced NCO Course Instructor, Basic NCO Course Instructor, S1 NCOIC, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course Manager, and Warrior Leader Course Manager from 2003-2007. During this assignment he was deployed as a member of Task Force NCO to Kirkush, Iraq where he served as a Platoon Sergeant and Instructor for the New Iraqi Army for a period of five months in 2004. He was assigned as an Operations NCOIC at the 3d BN 414 Regiment at Fort Lewis, Washington for six months in 2007. He was assigned as the First Sergeant for the HHC USAG at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin from 2007-2009. He was assigned as the G1 NCOIC for the HHC 364th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) in Seattle, WA from 2009-2011. He was assigned as the S1 NCOIC for the 654th Regional Support Group in Tacoma, Washington for six months in 2011. He was assigned as the Operations NCOIC for the U.S. Army NCO Academy, Camp Parks, California from 2012-2016. He completed the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy Non Resident Course in 2016 and was assigned as the Director of Instruction at the U.S. Army NCO Academy, Fort McCoy, Wisconsin where he currently serves.
SGM Aiello earned a Bachelor’s Degree with specialization in Business Management from the University of Phoenix, Arizona. His military education includes the Primary Leadership Development Course, Basic and Advanced NCO Course, First Sergeants Course, Sergeants Major Academy Non-Resident Class 41, Battle Staff NCO Course, Small Group and Total Army Instructor Trainers Courses, Master Fitness Trainer Course, Basic Combative Course, Combat Lifesaver Course, Operations Security Course, and the Security Manager Course.
His awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters; Army Achievement Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster; Good Conduct Medal (4th award), National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Silver Hour Glass, M Device with Numeral two, Iraqi Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon with Numeral four; Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon with Numeral four, Combat Action Badge, Air Assault Badge, and Army Superior Unit Award.
SGM Thomas J. Aiello Jr is married to his wife Tonya for 28 years and together have two sons; Anthony Alexander and Nicolas James.