Command Sergeant Major Kenneth R. Franco, enlisted in the U.S. Army as an Armored Reconnaissance Specialist, completing one station unit training at Ft. Knox, KY. He has served in every leadership position from Team Leader to Command Sergeant Major. His assignments include: 12th Infantry Regiment, Baumholder, Germany; 64th Armor Regiment, Ft. Stewart, GA; 7th Cavalry Regiment, Republic of South Korea; 2nd Brigade Reconnaissance Troop, Ft. Stewart, GA; Cavalry Instructor, 15th Cavalry Regiment, Ft. Knox, KY; 40th Cavalry Regiment, Ft. Richardson, AK; NCOA, Ft. Knox, KY; 73rd Cavalry Regiment, Ft. Bragg, NC; 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne, Ft. Bragg, NC; 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, Ft. Bragg, NC; 91st Cavalry Regiment, Grafenwoehr, Germany; 10th Mountain Division, Ft. Polk, LA. Some of his operational deployments include: Intrinsic Action, Desert Spring, UNPREDEP Forces, Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, Multilateral Exercises in support of the European Deterrence Initiative, Southwest Border Mission.
CSM Franco has completed PME courses to include: Airborne School, Jumpmaster Course, Army Instructor, Systems Approach to Training Course, Pathfinder Course, Ranger School, First Sergeants Course, BN and BDE Pre- Command Course, the BN/BDE CSM Development Course, and the Force Management for Senior Leaders Course. He holds a bachelor’s degree of Science in Liberal Arts from Excelsior College.
He is a recipient of the following awards and decorations: Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, United Nations Medal, NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Wings. He is also a recipient of the following foreign awards: German, Israeli, Italian, and Polish Jump Wings. SGM Franco is a member of the following professional associations, Sergeant Audie L. Murphy Association, Knight of the Order of St. George, the Order of the Spur, the Honorable Order of St. Barbara, and a Distinguished Member of the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment Association.