CSM Michael L. McLaughlin hails from Savannah, Ga. In August 1996, CSM McLaughlin joined the Army and attended Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training at Ft. Sill, OK where he was awarded the primary MOS of 13E (Fire Direction Specialist).
CSM McLaughlin’s first assignment was Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion 320th Field Artillery Ft. Campbell, Ky. His subsequent assignments include: Charlie Battery 4th Battalion 27th Field Artillery Baumholder, Germany; Alpha Battery 1st Battalion 41st Field Artillery Ft. Stewart, Ga; Bravo Battery 2nd Battalion Field Artillery 306th Regiment Training Support Battalion Ft. Stewart, Ga; Headquarters and Headquarters Battery 214th Fires Brigade Ft. Sill, Ok; Bravo Battery 1st Battalion, 14th Field Artillery Regiment Fort Sill, Ok; Headquarters and Headquarters Battery 1st Battalion, 14th Field Artillery Fort Sill, Ok; Operations Sergeant Major for 2nd Battalion, 18th Field Artillery Fort Sill, Ok. Command Sergeant Major for 2nd Battalion, 4th Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Sill, Ok. He currently serves as the 1ID DIVARTY CSM for Fort Riley, Ks.
CSM McLaughlin has served in the following positions: Advance Party, Driver, Radio Operator, Senior Fire Direction Specialist, Chief Fire Direction Computer, Observer Controller Trainer, Digital Master Gunner, Brigade Senior Fire Control NCO, Brigade Master Resilience Trainer, Platoon Sergeant, First Sergeant, Operations Sergeant, Operations Sergeant Major, and Battalion Command Sergeant Major.
CSM McLaughlin has earned the following awards during his military service: Meritorious Service Medal (4 OLC), Army Commendation Medal (7 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (7 OLC), Army Good Conduct Medal (8th), National Defense Service Medal (CS), Kosovo Campaign Medal (SS), Iraq Campaign Medal (2 CS), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Military Volunteer Service Ribbon, Professional Development Ribbon (3), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon (5), Korean Defense Service Ribbon, Kosovo NATO Medal, Air Assault Badge, St. Barbara Award, and the prestigious Sergeant Audie Murphy Award.
CSM McLaughlin is a graduate of the Primary Leadership Development Course (PLDC), the Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Course (BNCOC), the Advance Non-Commissioned Officer Course (ANCOC), Battle Staff, the Field Artillery Master Gunners Course, the First Sergeant Course, and the U.S Army Sergeants Major Academy (USASMA) Non-Resident Course Class 44.
CSM McLaughlin is married to LaTonya D. McLaughlin of Austin, TX and they have eight children and nine grandchildren.