Command Sergeant Major John C. Bentley was born in San Diego, California. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington (UNCW) in 2005 and enlisted in the U.S. Army in November 2006.
Over the course of his career, CSM Bentley completed a 14-month deployment to Iraq and a 12-month deployment to Afghanistan while assigned to 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. He served as a Public Affairs Specialist, Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC), Officer in Charge, Reenlistment NCO, and Contracting Officer Representative. He then served at the Defense Information School (DINFOS) as a Battalion Prevention Leader, Equal Opportunity Leader, Video Skills Instructor, and member of the Joint Service Color Guard. He represented the Army in its Training with Industry program, at USAA within their Corporate Communications and Responsibility departments. While assigned to the 25th Infantry Division, CSM Bentley served as the NCOIC of the 28th Public Affairs Detachment (PAD) and deployed in support of Pacific Pathways. He later served as the Senior Enlisted Leader for DMA-Hawaii, operationally overseeing personnel across Hawaii, Korea, and Japan while delivering content production and social media support to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. CSM Bentley’s senior leadership roles include serving as the 1st Infantry Division’s Public Affairs Office NCOIC, Public Affairs Sergeant Major for the 1st Theater Sustainment Command and Command Sergeant Major for the 24th Theater Public Affairs Support Element.
CSM Bentley’s military education includes the Warrior Leaders Course (Commandant’s list), Combatives Level 1, Combat Life Saver Course, Advanced and Senior Leaders Courses (Distinguished Honor Graduate, Distinguished Leader, and Iron Sergeant), the Unit Prevention Leader Course, the Equal Opportunity Leaders Course, the Army Profession and Ethics Trainer Course, and the U.S. Army’s Sergeants’ Major Academy. His civilian education includes a Bachelor of Arts in Theater from the UNCW, and a Bachelor of Arts in Leadership and Workforce Development from the Command and General Staff College.
CSM Bentley’s awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (2 OLC), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (4 OLC), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal (2 OLC), Meritorious Unit Citation, Army Superior Unit Award (1 OLC), Army Good Conduct Medal (6th Award), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal Global War on Terrorism Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon (1 OLC), Mexican Border Defense Service Medal, NATO Medal, and the Combat Action Badge. He’s also a recipient of the Honorable Order Saint Barbara and Saint Gabriel.
CSM Bentley is married, and has two children.