Command Sergeant Major William Padgelek was born in Martins Ferry, Ohio and entered military service in April 1986. He currently serves as the Command Sergeant Major of the 335th Signal Command (Theater) in East Point, GA. His previous Command Sergeant Major assignments include the Command Sergeant Major of the Deployment Support Command (DSC) in Birmingham, AL; the 316th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) ESC in Coraopolis, PA; the 302nd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade in Chicopee, MA; and Command Sergeant Major of the 458th Engineer Battalion in Johnstown, PA.
CSM Padgelek also served as the 416th Theater Engineer Command (TEC) G-2 Sergeant Major, the Chief Instructor/Writer Sergeant Major for the 1/80th EN BN (TASS), the 463rd EN BN Operations Sergeant Major, and the Directorate of Public Works Sergeant Major for the 99th RSC.
CSM Padgelek deployed in 2004 for a 15-month support effort of Operation Iraqi Freedom III. As an Engineer Operations NCO, he provided quality control measures for numerous Engineer Construction Missions throughout Iraq. His efforts increased security provisions on multiple Forward Operating Base (FOB) infrastructures and improved the standard of living for their occupants. His peacetime training assignments include construction projects in Honduras, Germany, Korea, Panama and throughout the Continental United States.
CSM Padgelek has an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice from Belmont College and a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts from Excelsior College with a focus on Administrative Management. His civilian occupation includes 29 years of service with the Ohio Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. There he holds the position of a Correctional Sergeant Counselor assigned within an inmate housing facility. Throughout his employment, he has been awarded a Congressional Citation, two Senatorial Citations, and a Gold Star Award for Valor.
CSM Padgelek’s military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit with 1 oak leaf cluster; Meritorious Service Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster; Army Commendation Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters; Army Achievement Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters; Army Good Conduct Medal; Army Reserve Component Achievement medal “twelfth award”; National Defense Service Medal with bronze star device; Iraqi Campaign Medal with bronze star device; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Gold Hourglass and "M" Device; NCO Professional Development Ribbon with numeral 6; Overseas Ribbon; Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon with numeral 5; and the Meritorious Unit Commendation Award. He completed the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy in 2008, the Nominative Leader’s Course, the Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Course Phases I and II in 2018, and the Force Integration Course for Senior Leaders in 2019.
CSM Padgelek enjoys spending time with his family and traveling. He and his wife Sarah reside in Barnesville, Ohio. They have been married for 34 years and have two adult children and one grandchild.