CSM Michael Gainey is from Albemarle, NC. He graduated from North Stanly H.S. in June of 1998. He enlisted in the Army as an Infantryman (11B) in 1998. His first assignment (1998-2001) was HHC Division Reconnaissance at Hohenfels, Germany, where he served as a RTO, M240 gunner, and team leader.
In 2002 CSM Gainey joined the US Army Reserve 108th Training Division, Charlotte, NC. In May of 2004 Gainey graduated Drill Sergeant School. In September 2006, Gainey was ordered to active duty and deployed to Salman Pak, Iraq until December 2007. After returning from Iraq, Gainey served as a Platoon Sergeant for 3/518th C Company in Hickory, NC. In January 2009 Gainey was called back to active duty to assist in Navy Individual Augmentee Training at Eastover, SC for 22 months. In 2010 Gainey was reassigned to 3/518TH C Company Hickory, NC as a Platoon Sergeant, and then the First Sergeant in B Company 3/518TH Hickory, NC. In April of 2012, Gainey was mobilized to Ft. Jackson, S.C. for 6 months where he served as 3/13th C Company First Sergeant. Gainey was then reassigned as the 1SG of A Company 3/518(BCT) in Hickory, N.C. from September of 2012 until December of 2013. Gainey was placed on ADOS orders from November 2014- September 2017 as the B Co 1SG at the Warrior Transition Battalion in Fort Bragg, NC. CSM Gainey was promoted to be the BN CSM for the 812th Transportation Battalion under the 207th RSG at Fort Jackson, S.C. CSM Gainey then was assigned to the 332nd Medical BDE in Nashville, TN. CSM Gainey then accepted his second BDE at the 415th Chemical Brigade in Greenville, S.C. CSM
His military schools attended include: Primary Leadership Course, Basic Non Commissioned Officer Course, Advanced Non Commissioned Officer Course, Drill Sergeant School, Phase 1 of First Sergeant Course, Level 1 Combative Trainers Course, Combat Lifesaver Course, Equal Opportunity Leader Course, Basic and Advanced Military Transition Team Training, Command Language Program (German), Dragon Weapon Training, Sexual Harassment, Rape Prevention Program, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, Force Development and Manpower Course, Master Fitness Trainer, Defense Support of Civil Authorities Phase 1 and 2, and Sergeant Major Academy.
His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star with Valor, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal (4), Army Commendation Medal (3), Army Achievement Medal (3), Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device, Combat Infantry Badge, Drill Sergeant Badge.
CSM Gainey has a Master of Science in Criminal Justice Law Enforcement Administration, and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice Administration from Columbia College.