Command Sergeant Major Nathaniel Atkinson assumed duties as the U.S Army Corps of Engineers Afghanistan District command sergeant major on August 13, 2018. In his appointed role as the command sergeant major, he supports the headquarters, to include its five field offices, and is responsible for providing professional development, morale, quality of life, and discipline to more than 110 military, civilian, and contract employees. He also provides advice and counsel to the District Commander and senior staff on all organizational strategic processes and district-wide operations.
Command Sergeant Major Atkinson is a native Goldsboro, North Carolina, and he enlisted in the Army in March 1997 as an Engineer. He attended basic and advanced individual training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.
Command Sergeant Major Atkinson has served as Heavy Equipment Operator, Senior Construction Equipment Operator, Squad Leader, Senior Drill Sergeant, Platoon Sergeant, Company Operations Sergeant, First Sergeant, Battalion Operations Sergeant, and Senior Career Advisor.
His stateside assignments include: Fort Polk, Louisiana; Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Fort Leonard Wood; Fort Stewart, Georgia; Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska; Fort Knox, Kentucky; and Fort Bliss, Texas. He has deployed to Nicaragua, Iraq, and Afghanistan for combat and humanitarian operations.
Command Sergeant Major Atkinson’s military education includes NBC (Nuclear, Biological and Chemical) School, Basic Leader Course, Air Assault School, Airborne School, Air Movement Operations Course, Automated Air Load Planner School, Advanced Leader Course, Drill Sergeant School (Commandants List), Combat Life Savers Course, Equal Opportunity Leaders Course, Senior Leader Course (Honor Graduate), Master Resilience Course, First Sergeant/Commander Course, Battle Staff Course, and the Sergeants Major Academy. Command Sergeant Major Atkinson holds an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts from Excelsior College.
Command Sergeant Major Atkinson’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (two awards), Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Army Commendation Medal (four awards), Army Achievement Medal (five awards), Presidential Unit Citation, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Citation (two awards), Army Good Conduct Medal (six awards), National Defense Services Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medial (1 Campaign Star), Iraqi Campaign Medal (1 Campaign Star), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, NCO Professional Developmental Ribbon (5), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (4), Drill Sergeant Badge, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, and the Air Assault Badge. He was also awarded the Bronze de Fleury medal of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.