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CSM RAFAEL J. COLON HERNANDEZ
Command Sergeant Major, Public Health Command, East

 
CSM Rafael J. Colon was born in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico.  He joined the Army in 1993 and served with the Puerto Rico Army Reserve until 1997. In 1997, he joined the Regular Army. 

CSM Colon held numerous leadership and staff positions including Squad Leader, NCOIC, Platoon Sergeant, Instructor/Writer, First Sergeant. Chief Clinical Sergeant Major, Surgeon Cell Sergeant Major. His deployments include Operation Desert Fox and Desert Thunder (1997), Operation Iraqi Freedom II-III (2004-2005), Operation Enduring Freedom VII-VIII and IX-X (2007-2008, 2009-2010) as well his latest deployment in support of disaster relief efforts for hurricane’s Harvey and Maria 2017.
 
CSM Colon graduated from numerous military courses to include the Army Recruiting and Retention school, the Battle Staff course, and the How the Army Runs Course. His military education includes the Sling Load Inspector Course, Airborne School, Tactical Emergency Medical Technician Course, Equal Opportunity Leaders Course, Master Resiliency Trainers (MRT) Course and Sergeants Major Academy (Class 70). He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Math and Natural Science from Thomas Edison State College and a Master’s degree in National Defense Strategic Studies from the University of Texas, El Paso.
 
CSM Colon’s military decorations and awards include the following: Combat Medical Badge, Expert Field Medical Badge, Recruiter Badge (silver award), Basic Airborne Wings, German Basic Airborne Jump Wings, Meritorious Service medal (4 OLC), Army Commendation Medal (4 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (3 OLC), Valorous Unit Award (2 OLC), The Meritorious Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal (8th Award), National Defense Service medal (2nd Award), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (2 Campaign stars), Global War On Terror Expeditionary Medal, Global War On Terror Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (6th Award), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (6th Award), the NATO Medal. Public Health Service Medal and the Humanitarian Service Medal and the Meritorious Volunteer Service Medal. CSM Colon is also an Audie Murphy inductee and is a lifetime member of the SMA Leon L. Van Autreve Chapter on Fort Sam Houston and is a member of the Order of Military Medical Merit.
 
CSM Colon is married to the beautiful Adriana G. Facio they have 2 young boys: Xaden. B. Small (12 years old) and Adriel. M. Colon. (8 years old).