Command Sergeant Major JamesPeter M. Matthews has been a member of the United States Army Reserves for over 29 years. A native, and lifelong resident of Winsted, CT with his wife Leslie, three children and five grandchildren, he entered the US Army Reserves May 1985, completing basic training and advanced individual Infantryman training at Fort Benning, GA.
CSM Matthews’ has held noncommissioned officer key leadership positions throughout almost his entire career. His units of assignment include Combat Support Company, 3rd/35th Infantry Brigade, 187th Infantry Regiment; Bravo Troop, 1-110th Cavalry; 304th Transportation Company (Medium Truck), 167th Support Group; 3/310th Regiment, 78th Training Division; Operations Sergeant for the 655th Area Support Group; First Sergeant for the 344th Military Police Company (Guard), 655th Area Support Group; Detachment Sergeant for the 343rd Military Police Brigade Liaison Detachment (BLD), 77th Regional Readiness Command; Command Sergeant Major for the 443rd Civil Affairs Battalion and 304th Civil Affairs Brigade, 353rd Civil Affairs Command, United States Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operation Command (Airborne); Command Sergeant Major for the 244th Aviation Brigade, 11th Aviation Command; Division Command Sergeant Major for USAR 76th Operational Response Command (formally known as USAR Joint and Special Troops Support Command), Fort Douglas, UT, also duel-missioned as Task Force-76, AR-North for Defense in Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) operations.
CSM Matthews’ deployments and Homeland Security missions include Operation Enduring Freedom, Joint Detention Operations Group (JDOG), Joint Task Force – Guantanamo (JTF-GTMO) Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (2002-2003); Operation Iraqi Freedom, 18th Military Police Brigade, Baghdad, Iraq (2004-2005); Operation Iraqi Freedom, Task Force Iron, Multi National Division – North, Tikrit, Iraq (2007-2008); Defense CBRNE Response Force, Task Force-Aviation, Task Force-51 (2011-2012); and currently Defense CBRNE Response Force, Task Force-76.
CSM Matthews has completed a multitude of military education to include Primary Leadership Development Course (PLDC), Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course (BNCOC), Advance Noncommissioned Officers Course (ANCOC), Battle Staff Noncommissioned Officer Course (BSNCOC), First Sergeant Course (FSC), Command Sergeants Major Designee Course (CSMDC), Sergeants Major Course (SMC), UT, also duel-missioned as Task Force-76, AR-North for Defense in Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) operations.
CSM Matthews’ deployments and Homeland Security missions include Operation Enduring Freedom, Joint Detention Operations Group (JDOG), Joint Task Force – Guantanamo (JTF-GTMO) Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (2002-2003); Operation Iraqi Freedom, 18th Military Police Brigade, Baghdad, Iraq (2004-2005); Operation Iraqi Freedom, Task Force Iron, Multi National Division – North, Tikrit, Iraq (2007-2008); Defense CBRNE Response Force, Task Force-Aviation, Task Force-51 (2011-2012); and currently Defense CBRNE Response Force, Task Force-76.
CSM Matthews has completed a multitude of military education to include Primary Leadership Development Course (PLDC), Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course (BNCOC), Advance Noncommissioned Officers Course (ANCOC), Battle Staff Noncommissioned Officer Course (BSNCOC), First Sergeant Course (FSC), Command Sergeants Major Designee Course (CSMDC), Sergeants Major Course (SMC), Class 01-04 in July of 2004, and the Keystone Command Senior Enlisted Leader Course, Class 13-2.
CSM Matthews’ military awards and decorations include two Bronze Stars; three Meritorious Service Medals, Army Commendation Medal; four Army Achievement Medals; Army Good Conduct Medal; eight Army Reserves Component Achievement Medals; National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star; Iraqi Campaign Medal with 2-Service Stars; Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Global War On Terrorism Service Medal; Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal; Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Silver Hour Glass, M-Devise & Numeral-3; four NCO Professional Development Medals; Army Service Ribbon; three Overseas Service Ribbons; five Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbons; Combat Action Badge; Wheeled Drivers Badge; Joint Meritorious Unit Award; two Meritorious Unit Commendations; and four Overseas Service Bars.
In his civilian life, he is a career Firefighter, currently holding the rank of Fire Lieutenant, assigned to Engine #1 of the West Hartford Fire Department, West Hartford, Conn. and continues his community involvement as a member of Elk’s Lodge #844, American Legion Post #96, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #296 and Winsted Fire Department’s BSA Fire Explorer Post #911.