CSM Thomas J. Skelton, a native of Clarkston, Washington, enlisted in the United States Army on 11 September 1996. He attended Basic Combat Training (BCT) and Advanced Individual Training (AIT) for 88M Motor Transport Operator at Ft Leonard wood, MO.

CSM Skelton has served in every leadership position that includes Team leader to Command Sergeant Major. His first assignment was at Bravo Company, 704th Main Support Battalion (MSB), Fort Hood, TX in 1997. He went on to Korea assigned to B CO, 702nd MSB. CSM Skelton later PCSed back to Fort Hood, TX in 2000 and was assigned to the 96th Transportation Company, 180th Transportation Battalion. He worked as a Heavy Equipment Transport System (HETS) operator and legal and finance NCO. CSM Skelton deployed in support of Operation Iraqi freedom as a Squad Leader. After returning from deployment, he transitioned to the 41st Palletized Loading System (PLS) Company stationed at Vilseck, Germany. CSM Skelton quickly deployed again, joining the unit in Iraq as a Platoon Sergeant. He would deploy again a year later the units Operations Sergeant. CSM Skelton went on to the 25th Transportation Company, Schofield Barracks HI. He deployed with the unit back to Iraq, training the entire company on HETS operations. After a short stay in Hawaii, CSM Skelton redeployed with the HHC, 129th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion to Afghanistan as the Support Operations NCOIC.

In 2010, CSM Skelton was DA selected to serve as an AIT Platoon Sergeant and PCSed to A CO, 58th Transportation Battalion, Fort Leonard wood, MO. He performed AIT Platoon Sergeant duties for two years. In 2012, CSM Skelton arrived at A CO, 801st Brigade Support Battalion, Fort Campbell, KY. He served as the Rear Detachment Commander during the units nine-month deployment. Upon the Brigades inactivation, he transitioned all equipment and himself to the 74th Composite Truck Company, 129th CSSB on Fort Campbell. CSM Skelton served as the Senior Truckmaster and deployed the unit within six months of its activation to Liberia in support of the Ebola crisis. In 2015, he was moved to the HHC, 129th CSSB Operations Sergeant (S3) position. CSM Skelton PCSed to Joint Base Lewis-McChord in 2016 and assumed the position of Operations Sergeant (S3) for the 13th CSSB. After nine months, he was selected to serve as the 513th Transportation Company First Sergeant. Upon selection to attend the Sergeants Major Course, CSM Skelton volunteered to be an international sponsor for Saudi Aribia and reported to Fort Bliss, TX in 2018. After graduation, he stayed at Fort Bliss to work at the NCO Leadership Center of Excellence’s Strategy Initiatives Division. CSM Skelton PCSed to Camp Carroll, Republic of Korea where he served as the 498th CSSB Command Sergeant Major. He then PCSed to Fort Eustis, serving as the 597th Transportation Brigade (Surface) Command Sergeant Major, until his selection at the Army Sustainment University’s first Nominative Command Sergeant Major.

CSM Skelton’s professional military education includes Basic Leader Course, Advanced Leader Course, Senior Leader Course, and Sergeants Major Academy “Class 69”. He has completed the Air Assault course, Pathfinder course, Anti-Terrorism Officer course level I and II, Master Resiliency Trainer course, SHARP, AIT Platoon Sergeant Course, Joint Logistics Course and many others. CSM Skelton holds a Master’s and Bachelor of Science Degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Response from Thomas Edison State University. He also has an associate degree in general studies from the Central Texas College.

His awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (7), the Army Commendation Medal (8), the Army Achievement Medal (5), Meritorious Unit Citation (3), Army Superior Unit Award (2), Army Good Conduct Award, (8), National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze Star, the Iraqi Campaign Medal with 4 Bronze Stars, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, NCOES (5), the NATO ribbon (Afghanistan), the Pathfinder, Air Assault and the German Armed Forces Badge of Marksmanship and German Armed Forces Proficiency badge. CSM Skelton has been a Sergeant Audie Murphy Member since 2001 and is the recipient of the Saint Christopher medal (Ancient Award).