Command Sergeant Major Pettengill holds the highest-ranking enlisted position in the command. He serves as the principal enlisted advisor to the commander and is responsible for the enlisted leader development, well-being, monitoring and mentoring the soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines of Special Operations Command, Pacific.
CSM Pettengill was born on 25 February 1965 in Buffalo, New York. He entered the United States Army in March of 1982 and completed Infantry Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Benning, Georgia in October of 1982.
During the course of his career, CSM Pettengill has held duty positions to include Infantry Rifleman, Radio Operator, Bradley Fighting Vehicle Driver, Gunner, and Vehicle Commander, Company Operations NCO, Team Leader, Squad Leader, Drill Sergeant, Senior Drill Sergeant, Platoon Sergeant, Special Forces Senior Engineer Sergeant, Special Forces Assistant Operations and Intelligence Sergeant, Special Forces Team Sergeant, Active Duty Component Advisor, Company Sergeant Major, and Battalion Command Sergeant Major, Group Command Sergeant Major, United States Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School Command Sergeant Major, and is currently serving as the Special Operations Command, Pacific Sergeant Major.
CSM Pettengill’s military education includes Basic Airborne Course, Static Line Jumpmaster Course, Ranger School, Air Assault Course, Drill Sergeant School, Special Operations Engineer Sergeant Course, Special Forces Operations and Intelligence Course, Advanced Special Operations Techniques Course, USMC Winter Mountain Leaders Course, USASOC(A) Master Trainer Mountaineering Course, Primary, Basic, and Advanced Non-Commissioned Officer Education Courses, United States Army Sergeants Major Course, Command Sergeants Major Course, United States Army Special Operations Forces Pre-Command Course, Joint Special Operations Pre-Command Course, and Keystone. CSM Pettengill holds a Bachelors Degree in Liberal Arts from Excelsior College and is Microsoft Certified Network + and Operating System Service Technician.
CSM Pettengill’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal w/OLC, Meritorious Service Medal (3 OLC), Army Commendation Medal (4 OLC), Joint Achievement Medal (2OLC), Army Achievement Medal (4 OLC), Army Good Conduct Medal 9th Award, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, NCO Professional Development Ribbon numeral 4, Army Service Ribbon, GWOT-Expeditionary Medal, GWOT-Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Infantry Badge 2nd Award, Expert Infantry Badge, Senior Parachutist Wings, Air Assault Badge, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, New Zealand, Australian, Singapore, Belgium, and Canadian Parachutist Wings, Drill Sergeant Badge, Ranger Tab, and Special Forces Tab.
CSM Pettengill’s is married to the former Debra Sahm of Buffalo, New York.