Command Sergeant Major Harry Bennett was born and raised in New Jersey and attended Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Montana before entering the Army in March, 1985.
CSM Bennett completed Basic Training at FT Jackson, South Carolina, Advanced Individual Training at FT Gordon, Georgia and Airborne Training at FT Benning, Georgia before being assigned to the 82d Airborne Division at FT Bragg, North Carolina in 1985.
He was assigned to the 82d Signal Battalion (A), 82d Airborne Division from 1985-1992 as a Wireman, Radio Operator, Team Chief, Squad Leader and Operations Sergeant, supporting the Division’s Infantry Brigades, Long Range Surveillance Detachment, Aviation and Armor units. During his time with the 82d, CSM Bennett supported numerous operations as a communications sergeant, including supporting Joint Task Force 6 in New Mexico, Operation Golden Pheasant in Honduras, Operation Just Cause in Panama, Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia and Iraq.
CSM Bennett was later assigned to the 50th Signal Battalion (A) at FT Bragg, North Carolina from 1992-1995 where he served as a Radio Platoon NCOIC for the Assault Command Post Platoon for XVIIIth Airborne Corps Headquarters and then as the Battalion Air Operations NCO. After leaving Active Duty in 1995, CSM Bennett joined the Army Reserves and was assigned to the 422d Civil Affairs Battalion (A) in Greensboro, North Carolina (1995-1999, 2000-2001) as a Team Sergeant, Detachment Sergeant and Battalion Operations Sergeant. He later served in the 5th Battalion (CA/Psyop), 108th Regiment, 108th Division (Institutional Training) at FT Bragg, North Carolina (1999-2000, 2001-2004) as Battalion Operations Sergeant and Chief Instructor/Sergeant Major. His operations as a Civil Affairs Soldier include Operation Joint Endeavor in Bosnia and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
CSM Bennett was assigned to the 450th Civil Affairs Battalion (A) as the Command Sergeant Major from 2004-2008. He was later assigned as the 354 Civil Affairs Brigade Command Sergeant Major from 2008-2009. His most recent assignment was as Command Sergeant Major of the 352d Civil Affairs Command from 2010-2012.
CSM Bennett was selected in May 2012 as the Command Sergeant Major of the United States Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne).CSM Bennett is a graduate of the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy. His other military education includes the Advanced Non-Commissioned Officer’s Course, Basic Non-Commissioned Officer’s Course, Primary Leadership Development Course, Equal Opportunity NCO Course, Total Army Instructor Training Course, Civil Affairs Course, Wire Systems Installer/Operator Course, Jumpmaster Course, Drop Zone Support Team Leader’s Course, Air Movement Operations Course, Basic Airborne Training, and the Air Assault Course.
CSM Bennett’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (4OLC), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (6OLC), Army Achievement Medal (4OLC), Good Conduct Medal (3rd Award), Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (4OLC), National Defense Medal (w/ BSS), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (w/ Arrowhead and BSS), SW Asia Medal (w/ 2 BSS), Afghanistan Campaign Medal (w/ BSS), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (w/ “M” Device, Hourglass and Numeral “2”), NCO Professional Development Ribbon (w/ Numeral “4”), Army Service Ribbon, Reserve Overseas Training Ribbon, NATO Medal, Kuwaiti Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), Kuwaiti Liberation Medal (Kuwait), Joint Meritorious Unit Award (1OLC), Meritorious Unit Commendation (1OLC), Army Superior Unit Award (1OLC), Combat Action Badge, Master Parachutist Badge with Bronze Combat Star, the Air Assault Badge and the Driver’s Badge.