Command Sgt. Maj. David P. Hanson entered the Army on Sept. 4, 1996. He completed Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training as an infantryman at then-Fort Benning, Georgia.
Hanson’s assignments include rifleman, grenadier and automatic rifleman, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, Fort Lewis, Washington and 2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, Camp Casey, Korea; team, squad and scout squad leader, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Fort Liberty, North Carolina; Observer Coach Trainer, Task Force II, Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC), Fort Polk, Louisiana; platoon sergeant and scout platoon sergeant, 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, Fort Drum, New York; first sergeant, 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, Fort Drum, New York; Senior Military Science Instructor, Lock Haven University, Pennsylvania; operations sergeant major, 1st Squadron, 40th Calvary (Airborne), Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska; command sergeant major, 3rd Battalion, 509th Infantry (Airborne), JBER, Alaska; command sergeant major, Live Fire Division, JRTC Operations Group; command sergeant major, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry); command sergeant major, 157th Infantry BDE (CABT), Camp Atterbury, Indiana. CSM Hanson’s most recent assignment was CSM, JRTC and Fort Johnson.
Hanson’s deployments include Operations Enduring Freedom III, Operation Iraqi Freedom VII, Operation Enduring Freedom X, Operation Joint Guardian XIX (KFOR19), and Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, Afghanistan, in support of NATO Resolute Support.
Hanson is a graduate of every Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development System from the Basic Leader Course to the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy, Sergeants Major Course (Class 64) and the Nominative Leader Course. He is also a graduate of the Combat Lifesaver Course, Unit Armorer Course, U.S. Army Airborne School, U.S. Army Ranger School, U.S. Army Sniper School, 82nd Airborne Division Master Gunner Course (Light), 82nd Airborne Division Jumpmaster School, JRTC Observer Coach Trainer Course, Battle Staff NCO Course, U.S. Army Pathfinder School, Joint Firepower Controller Course, CO CDR/1SG Course, U.S. Army Master Resilience Trainer Course, Cold Weather Orientation Course (CWOC), Center for Creative Leadership (CCL), DoD Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA), BN and BDE Pre-Command Course/Command Sergeants Major Course and the Senior Commander Course.
Hanson’s civilian education includes an Associate’s Degree in General Studies from Central Texas College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Excelsior College, Albany NY.
Hanson’s awards and decorations include: Legion of Merit (with two OLC), Bronze Star (with one OLC), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (with three OLC), Army Commendation Medal (with four OLC), Army Achievement Medal (with five OLC), Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Award (with three OLC), Army Superior Unit Award, Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Canadian Airborne Wings, Australian Airborne Wings, Japanese Airborne Wings, German Schützenschnur in Gold and the Honorable Order of St Maurice (Centurion Award).