Sergeant Major (SGM) Rick Cottrell entered the U.S. Army, from Akron, Ohio, as an Airborne Infantryman (11B) in July 1984. He attended Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Benning, Georgia.
SGM Cottrell’s assignments include: 3/502nd Air Assault
Infantry, Fort Campbell, KY; 2/503rd Infantry, Republic of Korea; 2/58thInfantry, Fort Benning, GA; 3/504th Parachute Infantry, Fort Bragg, NC; 1/506th Air Assault Infantry, Republic of Korea; 3/504thParachute Infantry, Fort Bragg, NC; Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), Marshall University; Afghan National Army Advisor, Paktika Province, Afghanistan; and 3/7th Mechanized Infantry, Fort Stewart, GA. SGM Cottrell has served in every enlisted position from rifleman to Command Sergeant Major (CSM).
He is a veteran of the Multinational Force and Observers, Egypt; Operation Restore Democracy, Haiti; Operation Joint Guardian, Kosovo; Operation Enduring Freedom III and VII, Afghanistan.
SGM Cottrell’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (4th Award), Army Commendation Medal (7thAward), Army Achievement Medal (8th Award), Army Superior Unit Award (2nd Award), Good Conduct Medal (8th Award), National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award), Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Professional Development Ribbon (4th Award), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (4th Award), NATO Medal (2nd Award), Multinational Force and Observers Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Drill Sergeant Badge and the British Parachutist Badge.
SGM Cottrell has earned his Bachelors Degree in General Studies, from Marshall University. He is a graduate of the Air Assault School, Sniper School, Amphibious Warfare School, Master Fitness Trainer Course, Rappelling and Mountaineering Training Center, Airborne Course, Drill Sergeant Course, Exercise Leaders Course, Jumpmaster Course, Drop Zone Support Team Leaders Course, Air Movement Operations Course, Master Gunner Course, and the Company Pre-Command Course. SGM Cottrell has attended every level of training within the Noncommissioned Officer Education System and is a Graduate of the United States Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy Class 08-C.
NRA Certifications: Home Firearm Safety, Basic Pistol Course, Personal Protection in the Home Course.
SGM Cottrell’s assignments include: 3/502nd Air Assault
Infantry, Fort Campbell, KY; 2/503rd Infantry, Republic of Korea; 2/58thInfantry, Fort Benning, GA; 3/504th Parachute Infantry, Fort Bragg, NC; 1/506th Air Assault Infantry, Republic of Korea; 3/504thParachute Infantry, Fort Bragg, NC; Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), Marshall University; Afghan National Army Advisor, Paktika Province, Afghanistan; and 3/7th Mechanized Infantry, Fort Stewart, GA. SGM Cottrell has served in every enlisted position from rifleman to Command Sergeant Major (CSM).
He is a veteran of the Multinational Force and Observers, Egypt; Operation Restore Democracy, Haiti; Operation Joint Guardian, Kosovo; Operation Enduring Freedom III and VII, Afghanistan.
SGM Cottrell’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (4th Award), Army Commendation Medal (7thAward), Army Achievement Medal (8th Award), Army Superior Unit Award (2nd Award), Good Conduct Medal (8th Award), National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award), Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Professional Development Ribbon (4th Award), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (4th Award), NATO Medal (2nd Award), Multinational Force and Observers Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Drill Sergeant Badge and the British Parachutist Badge.
SGM Cottrell has earned his Bachelors Degree in General Studies, from Marshall University. He is a graduate of the Air Assault School, Sniper School, Amphibious Warfare School, Master Fitness Trainer Course, Rappelling and Mountaineering Training Center, Airborne Course, Drill Sergeant Course, Exercise Leaders Course, Jumpmaster Course, Drop Zone Support Team Leaders Course, Air Movement Operations Course, Master Gunner Course, and the Company Pre-Command Course. SGM Cottrell has attended every level of training within the Noncommissioned Officer Education System and is a Graduate of the United States Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy Class 08-C.
NRA Certifications: Home Firearm Safety, Basic Pistol Course, Personal Protection in the Home Course.
