Command Sergeant Major Santiago was born in Manhattan, New York and raised in Alexandria, Virginia. He graduated from Hayfield High School, Alexandria, VA, in 1982. Upon graduating from High School he entered the Army in December of 1982 on the delayed entry program. In February of 1983, he attended Basic Combat Training and Advance Individual Training as an Infantryman at Fort Benning, GA.
CSM Santiago’s assignments includes: Delta Co 2nd Battalion, 41st Infantry, 2nd Armor Division, Fort Hood, TX; Alpha Co 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry, 3rd Infantry Division, Aschaffenburg, Germany; Alpha Co 4th Battalion, 7th Infantry, 3rd Infantry Division, Aschaffenburg, Germany; Heavy Weapons Committee (Infantry Instructor) 80th Division , Alexandria, VA; Bravo Co 2nd Battalion, (TSB), 80th Division, Alexandria, VA; United States Army Reserve Forces School, Owings Mills, MD; HQs 6th Brigade, NCOES Detachment, Fort Belvoir, VA; 2nd Detachment, 2174th Garrison Support Unit, Fort Eustis, VA; HHC 5th Brigade, 78th Division (TS), Fort Meade, MD; HHB 72nd Field Artillery Brigade, 1st Army Division East, Fort Dix, NJ; 157th Combat Support Sustainment Battalion, Naval Air Station, Joint Reserve Base, Willow Grove, PA; 165th Quartermaster Group, Fort Belvoir, VA and 143rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), Orlando, FL.
CSM Santiago served in critical Non-Commissioned Officer positions from Infantry Team Leader to Command Sergeant Major. He served in the following Leadership assignments: a Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle Section Leader; a Non Combatant NCO (Forward); an Infantry Course Instructor; United States Army Sergeant’s Major Academy NCOES certified Senior Instructor; First Sergeant; Quality Assurance & Quality Control Sergeant Major (NCOIC) of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM & OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM Mobilization and Training Team at (FT. Dix, NJ); Deputy Commandant of First Army’s Division East OC/T Training Academy; Commander’s Council Facilitator; Battalion and Group Command Sergeant Major to nominative ESC Command Sergeant Major. CSM Santiago mobilized in 2003 to 2004 and served as the 1SG for the Mobilization Reception Training Team and 1SG of the Army Reserves Medical Hold Unit with the 2174th Garrison Support Unit at Fort Eustis, VA. In 2005 to 2007, he again was mobilized and served as 1SG for HHC, 5th Brigade, 78th Division (Training Support). In 2006, CSM Santiago was promoted to Sergeant Major and appointed to serve as the (NCOIC) for the Mobilization and Training Team, in support of the Global War on Terrorism Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom and directly responsible for the quality training to all mobilized Army Reserves and National Guard units at Fort Dix, NJ. In addition, he was selected and served as a Facilitator as part of the Commander’s Council Initiative. In 2006, CSM Santiago deployed as the NCOIC for First Army OC/T Team into Kuwait in support of OIF in coordination with Coalition Forces Land Component Command (CFLCC) to observe and supervise the IED training lanes and to collect and consolidate the most updated enemy TTPs actively engaged against current military combat operations. After redeployment from Kuwait, CSM Santiago spearheaded and stood up the first OC/T Training Academy at Fort Dix, NJ. CSM Santiago was selected to serve as the Deputy Commandant for the OC/T Training Academy at Fort Dix, NJ. In 2007, CSM Santiago was appointed to Command Sergeant Major and assigned to the 157th CSSB, Naval Air Station, Joint Reserve Base, Willow Grove, PA. In 2008 to 2009 CSM Santiago re-deployed to Iraq and served as the Battalion Command Sergeant Major for the 157th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion. After his tour of duty in IRAQ, in early 2010, he was selected to serve as the Group Command Sergeant Major for the 165th Quartermaster Group, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. In 2014, CSM Santiago was selected to serve as a nominative Command Sergeant Major the 143rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, Orlando, FL.
CSM Santiago’s military education includes the Junior Leaders Maintenance Course, PLDC, BNCOC, ANCOC, 120 Hours First Step Training Program, (Europe), including German Language, Drown Proofing and Equal Opportunity Course; Unit Alcohol and Drug Coordinator Training Course, Battle Focus Instructor Course, Small Group Instructor Course, United States Army Sergeants Major Academy NCOES Instructor Certification Course; First Sergeant’s Course, earning the (M) identifier, Observer Controller and Trainer Course, Joint IED Defeat Course; Joint Firepower Course earning the (5U) identifier, Sergeant Major of the Army Force Management Course, BN/BDE Pre-Command Course, Antiterrorism Level III Course, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training Course, Joint Forces Staff College Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Course, Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) Phase I Course, Response Cell Operations Course and the Sergeants Major Course. CSM Santiago is a Graduate of the United States Army Sergeant’s Major Academy.
CSM Santiago’s military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (One Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Commendation Medal (Two Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Achievement Medal (Four Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Meritorious Unit Award, Army Superior Unit Award, Good Conduct Medal (2nd Award), Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (Four Oak Leaf Clusters), National Defense Service Medal (with Bronze Star), Iraqi Campaign Medal (w/two bronze service stars), The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with M Device/ Second Award and Hour Glass device), Non Commissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon (with 4 affixed), Army Service Ribbon and Overseas Service Ribbon. CSM Santiago also holds the Expert Infantry Badge and the Driver’s Badge.
CSM Santiago completed three years of undergraduate studies maintaining the Dean’s List at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, in pursuit of his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. CSM Santiago is currently employed as a Detective with the City of Alexandria Police Department with over 23 years of service.