An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

State Command Sergeant Major - Illinois Army National Guard

CSM Barber assumed the responsibilities as the 14th State Command Sergeant Major for the Illinois Army National Guard on 01 November 2022. He leads and mentors the noncommissioned officer corps and is responsible for all areas influencing enlisted members including training, discipline, morale and well-being.

CSM Barber was previously assigned as the Senior Enlisted Army National Guard Advisor to the Deputy Commanding General-Operations, First United States Army from 15 September 2020 to 31 October 2022.

Prior to his time with First Army, he was as the Command Sergeant Major of 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry Regiment.

CSM Barber also served as First Sergeant of B Co, and HHC, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment, Illinois Army National Guard. His military career began in January 1989. He completed One Station Unit Training (OSUT) at Ft. Benning, Georgia, where he was awarded the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) of 11B, Infantryman. He was assigned to Company C, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment as an anti-tank gunner.

He has served as Team Leader, Squad Lead, Platoon Sergeant, First Sergeant and Command Sergeant Major. In October 2000, he deployed with Company A, 2-130 INF to Kuwait for Operation Desert Spring. Following that he deployed to Germany in January 2002 for Task Force Santa Fe, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In January 2005, as a Squad Leader, he deployed with his battalion and was attached to Georgia’s 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, subsequently attached to 3rd Infantry Division, for Operation Iraqi Freedom III, in Baghdad, Iraq. In October 2008, CSM Barber deployed with the 33rd IBCT for Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix VIII in Kabul, Afghanistan, serving as a Platoon Sergeant. Upon completion of that deployment, he joined First Army under Operation Warrior Trainer stationed at Camp Atterbury, Indiana, as an Observer/Controller-Trainer (OCT).

CSM Barber’s military awards and decorations include: the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (second award), Army Commendation Medal (second award), Army Achievement Medal (third award), Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (9th award), National Defense Ribbon (second award), Armed Forces Expeditionary Ribbon, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with “M” Device and Gold Hourglass), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Ribbon, Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (with Numeral 5); Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Service Ribbon (3rd award), Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon (3rd award), NATO ribbon, Basic Parachutist Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Air Assault Badge, the Combat Infantryman's Badge and the Order of St. Maurice.

CSM Barber is a graduate of the Primary, Basic and Advanced Noncommissioned Officers Courses, Army Basic Instructor’s Course, Small Group Leader’s Course, Information Operations Course, First Army O/CT Academy, Battle Staff, and the United States Army Sergeant's Major Academy. He holds a certificate of completion in Water Quality Control Operations from the Environmental Resources Training Center at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, certificates of completion in from Ranken Technical College in Industrial Maintenance and Electrical Automation.

CSM Barber and his wife, Tara, have two daughters, Kristin, and Jillian.