Command Sergeant Major Deborah E. Pedersen was born and raised in Staten Island, New York. CSM Pedersen began her military career on 22 June 1991, when she enlisted in the US Army Reserve as an Imagery Analyst completing basic training at Fort Jackson, SC and advanced individual training at Fort Huachuca, AZ.
Her units of assignment include 24th Military Intelligence Battalion; 331st Military Intelligence Company; First Sergeant for HHC, 353rd Civil Affairs Command; Operations Sergeant Major, 353rd Civil Affairs Command; Command Sergeant Major of the 411th Civil Affairs Battalion and 151st Theater Information Operations Group. CSM Pedersen assumes the duties and responsibilities of Command Sergeant Major for the 97th Training Brigade (ILE), Fort Sheridan, Illinois.
Her deployments include Operation Noble Eagle, 297th Military Intelligence Battalion/513th Military Intelligence Brigade, Fort Gordon Georgia (2001-2002); Operation Iraqi Freedom, 353rd Civil Affairs Brigade (Provisional) Camp Slayer, Iraq (2003-2005); Operation Enduring Freedom, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa, (CJTF-HOA) Djibouti (2013-2014).
CSM Pedersen’s military awards and decorations include: the Bronze Star Medal; Meritorious Service Medal (4OLC), Joint Service Commendation Medal; Army Commendation Medal (3OLC); the Army Achievement Medal; Army Reserves Component Achievement Medal (w/ Silver OLC); the National Defense Service Medal (w/ BSS); the Iraqi Campaign Medal (w/ BSS); the Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; the Global War On Terrorism Service Medal; the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal; the Armed Forces Reserve Medal (w/ “M” Device, Silver Hourglass and Numeral “3”); the NCO Professional Development Ribbon (w/ Numeral “5”); the Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon (w/ Numeral “2”); the Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon (w/ Numeral “2”); Joint Meritorious Unit Award ; Meritorious Unit Commendation ; Army Superior Unit Award; the Sharpshooter Badge.
Her professional education includes completion of the Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Level II, Distributed Leader Course VI, Army Information Operations Planners Course, Brigade Pre-Command and Command Sergeants Major Development Program, NPS Stability, Security and Development in Complex Operations (SSDCO), DoS Joint Humanitarian Operations Course, First Sergeant Course, Battle Staff Noncommissioned Officer’s Course, Advance Noncommissioned Officer’s Course, Army Basic Instructor Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer’s Course, and Primary Leadership Development Course. She holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Business Management.
In her civilian capacity, CSM Pedersen is a Senior Systems Engineer with General Dynamics Information Technology providing systems engineering, requirements & architecture management for several Joint, Army, and Airforce programs. She currently lives in Newton, New Jersey.
She is married, and they have 3 children. She is active in many organizations in her community; Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and American Legion where she has held several positions at the State, County and Local levels.