Command Sergeant Major Michael R. Kelly assumed responsibilities as the 15th State Command Sergeant Major of the Illinois Army National Guard in September 2024.
He previously served as the Command Sergeant Major of the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Illinois Army National Guard since June 2020.
CSM Kelly enlisted in the Army Reserves in February 1989, completing basic training, Airborne School and Parachute Rigger School. Shortly after completing his initial training, CSM Kelly enlisted in active duty and was assigned to the 5th QM Det (Aerial Delivery) in Kaiserslautern, Germany.
Following Desert Storm, he deployed twice to Operations Provide Comfort I & III, participating in one of the largest humanitarian air drops in history along with sling load operations in Turkey and Northern Iraq. CSM Kelly was then assigned to 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Lewis, Washington where he supported forward deployed HALO and Scuba Teams throughout Asia.
Upon completing active duty, he joined the Washington State Army National Guard as a Bradley Dismount Infantry Team Leader with the 161st Infantry (Mechanized). CSM Kelly then returned to Illinois and served in every leadership position from team leader to CSM with the 131st Infantry Battalion, the 178th Infantry Battalion and as the Chief Operations Sergeant Major of the 244th Digital Liaison Detachment (DLD).
He deployed in 2008-2009 as a First Sergeant with C. Co. 1-178 Infantry at Combat Outpost Najil and FOB Mehtar Lam, Afghanistan. CSM Kelly then redeployed to Afghanistan in 2019-2020 where he was the Task Force Southeast Command Sergeant Major covering 7 provinces. He served in multiple roles with 1st Armored Division TAC, the 1-178 Infantry BN CSM and as an advisor to the 203rd Afghan National Army (ANA) Corps CSM. In his civilian career, CSM Kelly has served with the Chicago Police Department for 25 years and is currently assigned to the Mounted Unit (horse patrol) on crowd control and directed missions. During his career he has also served on the 007th District Tactical Team in the Englewood and as a Patrolman.
His awards include: the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal (one oak leaf cluster), the Meritorious Service Medal (one oak leaf cluster), Army Commendation Medal (four oak leaf clusters), Army Achievement Medal (three oak leaf clusters), Basic Parachutist Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Air Assault Badge, the Combat Infantryman's Badge and the Parachute Rigger Badge and various other federal and state awards. CSM Kelly is a graduate of Basic Airborne, Parachute Rigger, Air Assault School, RAM Air Parachute Systems, Jump Master Course, Freefall Automatic Ripcord Release Course, Air Drop Load Inspector Course, Infantry Course, Jungle Warfare School, Primary, Basic and Advanced Noncommissioned Officers Courses, Pathfinder Course, US Army Sergeants Major Course, Battle Staff, and Nominative Leader Course. He holds a Bachelor of Science, Liberal Arts from Excelsior College, graduating Magna Cum Laude.
CSM Kelly is married to Alaina and has five children, Racquel, Alec, Abigail, Liam, and Ava.
(Current as of January 2026)