Command Sgt. Maj. Paul Drago enlisted in the United States Army in 1989. He attended One Station Unit Training (OSUT) at Ft. Benning, Georgia where he graduated from Infantry School and Mechanized Infantry School. After completing his two-year active-duty commitment in Aschaffenburg, Germany, he returned home and enlisted in the United States Army Reserve where he served in every non-commissioned officer leadership position. He is a 2012 graduate of the United States Sergeants Major Academy and a 2019 graduate of the United States Army War College Nominative Leaders Course.
Command Sergeant Major Drago's most recent assignment was the G7 Sergeant Major for the 108th Training Command, Charlotte, North Carolina. Previously, he served as the CSM of the 1st BDE, 98th Training Division, Ft. Benning, Georgia. Before that, he served as the CSM of the 2/338th BN, First Army Division-East, Camp Atterbury, Indiana and CSM of the 2/334th BN, 3rd BDE, 95th Training Division, Granite City, Illinois.
During CSM Drago’s 34 years of dedicated military service, he deployed to Desert Shield/Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan). He also completed two state side mobilizations, one at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri and one at Ft. Knox, Kentucky.
His awards and decorations include the Defense Meritorious Medal, The Meritorious Service Medal (4th Award), the Army Commendation Medal (2nd Award), Army Achievement Medal (4th Award), the National Defense Service Medal (with two Campaign Stars), the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the Army Valorous Unit Award, Combat Infantryman Badge, Drill Sergeant Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (Gold)
In his civilian career, he recently retired from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department in St. Louis, MO after 26 years of dedicated service. In his 26 years, he held numerous assignments to include SWAT Team Member, Squad Leader and Instructor, District Detective and his last assignment was with the Warrant/Fugitive Unit.
Command Sergeant Major Drago has an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice and currently resides in St. Louis, Missouri with his wife, Kimberly and two sons, Vinny and Joseph.