 Command Sergeant Major Brown was born in Los Angeles, California. He graduated from Reseda High School in 1967.
Brown began his military career in 1969 by joining the United States Army. He graduated from the Noncommissioned Officer Academy that same year, later serving as Training NCOIC, 7th ID, Fort Ord, California. He subsequently served as a Squad Leader and acting Platoon Sergeant, D Company, 2nd Battalion, 501st Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile) in the Republic of Viet Nam.
Brown joined the Indiana National Guard in 1983 serving as a Personnel Action Specialist, transferring in 1984 to Company C 1-293rd Infantry serving as a Squad Leader. He served the next 10 years (1985-1994) in the 151st Infantry Detachment, Long Range Surveillance (Airborne), 38th Infantry Division (M), as a Team Leader, Operations Sergeant, and for 5 years as Detachment First Sergeant. Later duty assignments included First Sergeant, Alpha Company, 2-293rd Infantry 38th Infantry Division (M), First Sergeant Alpha Company, 1-293rd Infantry Battalion, 76th Separate Infantry Brigade (SIB), CSM 1-293rd Infantry Battalion, 76 SIB and Command Sergeant Major of Task Force “Nightfighter” JRTC 00-07 Fort Polk. In June 2002, he was assigned as the CSM, 38th Infantry Division (M). He served as the State Command Sergeant Major for the Indiana National Guard as from October 2005 until July 2009. CSM Brown was then selected by the Adjutant General to be the CSM of Regional Corps Training Team -2, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from July 2009 through December 2010. He returned to once again serve as Indiana National Guard state command sergeant major, effective January 2011. MILITARY EDUCATION:  | Light Weapons Infantry 11B | | Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course | | Personnel Actions Specialist Course | | Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Course | | ARNG-NCO Battle Skills Course | | Basic Airborne | | Long Range Surveillance Leader Course | | Jump Master Course, Pathfinder Course | | U. S. Army Command Sergeants Major Academy |
AWARDS AND DECORATIONS: | Legion of Merit | | Bronze Star with “V” Device with 2 oak leaf clusters | | Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster | | Meritorious Service Medal with 6 leaf clusters | | Air Medal with Numeral 2 | | Army Commendation Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters | | Joint Service Achievement Medal | | Army Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster | | Good Conduct Medal | | Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal with 4 oak leaf clusters | | National Defense Service Medal with bronze star | | Afghanistan Campaign Medal | | Viet Nam Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal | | NCO Professional Development Ribbon with Numeral 4 | | Army Service Ribbon, Viet Nam Cross of Gallantry with bronze star | | Republic of Viet Nam Campaign Medal | | Indiana Distinguished Service Medal | | Indiana Commendation Medal with second oak leaf cluster | | Indiana Retention Ribbon | | Indiana Long Service Medal, Indiana Volunteer Emblem | | Viet Nam Meritorious Unit Citation Ribbon | | Presidential Unit Citation | | Republic of Viet Nam Civic Actions Unit Citation | | Combat Infantry man Badge Senior Parachute Badge | | Pathfinder Badge | | Expert Badge (Rifle) | | 1985 U. S. Army FORSCOM Fourth Army NCO of the Year | | Combat Action Badge |
CIVILIAN OCCUPATION: James Brown is sole owner of Illini Swallow Bus Lines, which serves a five-state area. He has more than 25 years experience in transportation ownership and management AFFILIATIONS: | Corporate member Indiana Chapter A.U.S.A. | | Past Chapter President National Defense Transportation Association | | Past President Kiwanis Club of Indianapolis | | Airport Co-Chairman NCAA Final Four Transportation Committee | | Corporate Member National Guard Association of Indiana |
Last updated Tuesday, February 14, 2012 |