CSM Craig Yates was born in Plymouth, Indiana and entered the Army on January 28, 2002. He attended Basic Training at Ft. Knox, Kentucky and completed Advanced Individual Training at Fort Lee, Virginia.
CSM Yates served his first 13 years at Fort Carson, CO and participated in five combat deployments during that time. His first assignment was as a Unit Supply Specialist and Driver/Gunner in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) I as part of Fox Troop 2/3 ACR. He then deployed as a Supply Sergeant and Convoy Leader in OIF III with Grim Troop, 2/3 ACR.
Following that deployment CSM Yates served as a Supply Sergeant and Platoon Sergeant in the HHB, 3-16 FA in OIF 08-09. He then assumed responsibility as a Battalion S-4 NCOIC and a Platoon Sergeant for 204th BSB and deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) 11-12 and in support of Operation Spartan Shield (Kuwait) 13-14.
CSM Yates then moved to Fort Lee, VA where he served as an Operations NCO for the CASCOM G3/5/7, FT Lee, VA and as the Charlie Company First Sergeant, Army Logistics University Support Battalion, Army Logistics University.
CSM Yates moved to Fort Riley, KS where he served as the 1ABCT BDE S4 NCOIC during USEUCOM ABCT Regionally Aligned Force (RAF) and the HHC BDE, 1ABCT First Sergeant. CSM Yates final assignment was at Fort Riley, KS as the G4 S&S SGM.
CSM Yates holds a Masters in Business from Excelsior College and a Bachelors Degree in Organizational Management from Ashford University.
He is also a graduate of United States Army Sergeants Major Academy (USASMA), Class 71, Senior Leaders Course, Advanced Leaders Course, Basic Leaders Course, Support Operations Course Phase I and II, GCSS-Army, Combatives Level I and II. CSM Yates is certified by the Society of Logistics Experts (SOLE) as a Demonstrated Senior Logistician (DSL).
His awards and decorations include: Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal (3 OCL), Army Commendation Medal (6OCL), Army Achievement Medal (4OCL), Good Conduct Medal (sixth award), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (two campaign stars), Iraq Campaign Medal (five campaign stars), the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Combat Action Badge.
CSM Yates is married with three children.