Command Sergeant Major Daniel F. Benedict was born and raised in suburban Philadelphia, PA. He enlisted in the Army Reserve in 1988 as a Private, while enrolled at Bloomsburg University.
His career began in the 814th Quartermaster Company, then briefly left the service after completing graduate school to begin his civilian career. Then Sergeant Benedict reenlisted in the Army Reserve in 2002 and joined the 416th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne) serving as a Civil Affairs Sergeant and Team Sergeant. He continued his career with the 404th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne) as a Team Sergeant and an Operations NCO; First Sergeant, Headquarters Company, 304th Civil Affairs Brigade; Command Sergeant Major of the 403rd Civil Affairs Battalion; Command Sergeant Major of the 450th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne), and the Command Sergeant Major of the 2nd Psychological Operations Group. He is assigned as the Command Sergeant Major of the 353rd Civil Affairs Command.
CSM Benedict has completed multiple military education courses including the Material Handling and Storage course, Civil Affairs course, Basic Airborne Course, Combat Lifesaver course, Company/Detachment Pre-Command Course, Battalion/Brigade Pre-Command Course. His professional development schools include Primary Leadership Development Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Advance Noncommissioned Officers Course, Battle Staff Noncommissioned Officer Course, First Sergeant Course, Structured Self Development V, U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy Non-Resident Course, and the Nominative Leaders Course.
He mobilized in 1990 to support Desert Shield/Storm at the New Cumberland Army Depot in Pennsylvania. Mobilizing In 2003, he supported Iraqi Freedom and deployed in 2004 as a Civil Affairs Team Sergeant to Mosul, Iraq, while attached to the 3rd Brigade Stryker Team, 2nd Infantry Division. In 2007 Benedict mobilized to support Operation Iraqi Freedom and deployed in 2008 as a Civil Affairs Team Sergeant, to Tikrit, Iraq attached to 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).
His civilian education includes a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and a Master of Science in Instructional Technology both from Bloomsburg University.
CSM Benedict’s awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (4), Army Commendation Medal with “V” device for Valor, Army Commendation Medal (4), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal (3), Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (5), National Defense Service Medal (2), Iraq Campaign Medal (3), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (w/silver hourglass and “M”, ”2” device), NCO Professional Development Ribbon (6), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (2), Army Reserve Overseas Training Ribbon, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, German Army Fitness Proficiency Badge (Gold), Meritorious Unit Commendation, Superior Unit Commendation (3), and Overseas Service Bars (3).
In his civilian life, CSM Benedict is a Vice President at Wells Fargo Bank, in Wilmington Delaware.