Command Sergeant Major (CSM) Clifford Lo enlisted in the Army Reserve in 1990 as a Private First-Class after completing four years of Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp (JROTC). He completed Army Basic Training [with Honors] at Fort Sill, OK. then went on to complete his Advanced Individual Training (AIT) and Job Training (OJT) as an Army Medic and Operating Room Technician at Fort Sam Houston, TX., and Fort Ord, CA. respectively.
During CSM Lo’s 30 plus years of distinguished service, he first served in the 352nd Combat Support Hospital in Oakland Army Base, Ca. where he held various leadership positions to include; Team leader, Squad leader and Operating Room Section leader / NCOIC. In 2003, he transitioned [Re-classed] and became a Civil Affairs operator serving in HHC 351st CACOM and later with HHC 445th CA Battalion in Mountain View, Ca. He was assigned to a variety of positions such as; Civil Affairs Team Sergeant, Civil-Military Operations Center OIC/NCOIC, Battalion Operations NCO and First Sergeant. He has served tours of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq. He has also participated in planning and training exercises in Korea.
As a Sergeant Major, CSM Lo was the Operations Sergeant Major for 445th Civil Affairs Battalion where he has also filled in as the acting CSM. He was previously selected to serve as the CSM for the 2210th Mobilization Support Battalion, the 4/104th CA/PSYOP Training Battalion, the 304th Civil Affairs Brigade, the 303rd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, the 350th Civil Affairs Command, and the 353rd Civil Affairs Command.
CSM Lo has completed multiple military and civilian development education courses to including: Operating Room Specialist Course, Primary Leadership Development Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Advance Noncommissioned Officers Course, Civil Affairs Reclassification Course, Combat Lifesaver Course, First Sergeant Course, Basic Airborne Course, U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy Resident Course [Class 60], Battalion Pre-Command Course, Structured Self Development V, Distributed Leader Course Level 6 (DLC VI), Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education (SEJPME I and II) Course, Brigade Pre-Command Course, and the Nominative Leaders Course. He holds an Associate Degree from City College of San Francisco, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Multidisciplinary Studies, and a Master of Arts Degree in Leadership Studies from University of Texas at El Paso.
His decorations include: Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3 Oak Leaf Clusters), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (1 Silver Oak Leaf Cluster, 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters), National Defense Service Medal (2ND Award), Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/ Campaign Star, Iraq Campaign Medal w/ Campaign Star, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/ M Device and Silver Hour Glass, Non Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (6th Award), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (2ND Award), Army Reserve Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (Gold), Superior Unit Commendation, and Overseas Service Bars (3), and the General Winfield Scott Gold Medallion – Civil Affairs Regiment Award.
CSM Lo resides in San Francisco and is a Patrol Sergeant for the San Francisco Park Rangers and an owner of a construction company.