Command Sergeant Major Craig M. Hyson was born and raised in New Jersey. He enlisted in the United States Army in September of 1998, attended Military Police OSUT Training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO, and was assigned to the 812th MP Co upon completion.
CSM Hyson is currently serving as the Division Command Sergeant Major for the 7th Mission Support Command, Kaiserslautern, Germany.
CSM Hyson has served in various assignments including the 333rd Military Police Brigade; the 306th, 310th, 340th, and 744th MP Battalions; the former 220th MP BDE; CSM of the 436th Transportation Battalion, and as Rear CSM for the 77th Sustainment Brigade. His overseas experience includes deployment with the 340th Military Police Company to Kosovo in 2001. His second deployment was 2003-2004 for the initial invasion into Iraq, as a team leader with the 340th MP Co. His third deployment was again to Iraq from 2006-2008 as a Civil Affairs Team Sergeant with B Co., 431st Civil Affairs Battalion. His fourth deployment was to Afghanistan with the 304th MP Co. as an Operations NCO from 2012-2013 for a detention operations mission. His fifth deployment was as the First Sergeant of the 361st MP Co to GTMO, Cuba from 2014-2015. His sixth, and most recent deployment, was to the CENTCOM AOR (Iraq/Syria/Kuwait/Jordan) from 2017-2018 as the Command Sergeant Major of the 436th Movement Control Battalion.
CSM Hyson’s military education includes all levels of NCO PME including the Sergeants Major Academy Non-Resident Course class 44, and Nominative Leader Course class 21-03. Additionally, he has attended the Battle Staff NCO Course (ASI 2S), Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Course 1 & 2, Company Commanders’ and First Sergeants’ Course, Civil Affairs MOS School, Unit Prevention Leader, the International Military Police Officer’s Course (Vicenza, Italy), Single Channel Communications Course, Custom and Border Clearance Agent Course, Duty Appointed Retention NCO, TEWO Crew Master Gunner Course (ASI 1K), Non-lethal Weapons Instructor Course (ASI 2A), and the BN & BDE Pre-Command Courses.
CSM Hyson’s civilian education includes an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice, a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, a Master’s Degree in Leadership and Public Administration, and a Doctorate Degree in Business Administration with a leadership specialization from Walden University. He has served with the New Jersey State Police for the past 16 years, and is currently the NJSP’s Military Affairs Officer holding the rank of Sergeant First Class.
CSM Hyson’s decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (1OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (2OLC), Army Commendation Medal (3OLC), Army Achievement Medal (7 OLC & R Device), Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (6 OLC), National Defense Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal w/Campaign Star, Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/Campaign Star, Iraq Campaign Medal w/3 Campaign Stars, Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal w/ star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal w/ star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (Silver Hourglass, M, & numeral), NCOPD Ribbon w/6, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon w/numeral, Reserve Overseas Training Ribbon, NATO Medal w/ star (Kosovo and ISAF), Drivers Badge, Army Bronze Excellence in Competition Marksmanship Badge – Pistol, the German Army Marksmanship Badge in Gold & Silver, German Army Proficiency Badge in Gold, Combat Action Badge, VUA, JMUA, and MUC (1OLC). Further, he was presented the Honorable Order of Saint Christopher (Transportation Corps),and the Military Police Regimental Order of the Marechaussee in Silver.
CSM Hyson is married to Jennifer Hyson, a Marriage and Family Therapist, who is also a fellow member of the Army Reserve. They have three wonderful sons: Hunter, Mason, and Colton. They reside in northern New Jersey.