CSM Richard Vander Clute

Battalion Command Sergeant Major

 

 

 

 

 

CSM Richard Vander Clute is currently assigned as the Battalion Command Sergeant Major in the 50th (PSB) Personnel Services Battalion, New Jersey Army National Guard located at Fort Dix, NJ. He serves as the senior enlisted advisor to the Commander on issues relating to enlisted leader development and Soldier well-being.

CSM Vander Clute enlisted in the US Army in July, 1975 and completed Basic Combat Training at Ft. Jackson, South Carolina and Advanced Individual Training at Ft. Polk, Louisiana. He was then assigned to the 545th Military Police Company, 1st Cavalry Division, Ft. Hood, Texas as a Military Policeman. After a TDY assignment to the National Training Center at Ft. Irwin, California,

CSM Vander Clute was assigned to the 287th Military Police Company, Berlin Brigade, West Berlin, Germany in 1978.

He enlisted in the New Jersey Army National Guard in August, 1978 and was assigned to the 50th Military Police Company, 50th Armored Division. His other duty assignments have included being an Instructor at the New Jersey Military Academy from 1982 to 1984 and his most recent assignment as First Sergeant, 63rd Army Band.

CSM Vander Clute has attended the NBC Defense Course, NGB Battle Skills Course, Master Fitness Trainer Course, Air Assault Course along with the following NCOES courses: Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Course, Advanced Non-Commissioned Officer Course, and the First Sergeants Course. He is currently enrolled in the US Army Sergeants Major Academy, non-resident course #33.

Vander Clute, a native of Bergen County, New Jersey, has earned an Associate of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Phoenix, a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from Excelsior College and a Masters in Administrative Science degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

His Federal awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal with 4 bronze oak leaf clusters, the Army Achievement Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with silver & bronze oak leaf clusters, the Army of Occupation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with silver hourglass and ‘M’ devices, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon with Numeral 3, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal and the Air Assault Badge.