Command Sergeant Major Randolph Delapena became the Command Sergeant Major of the Transatlantic Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, on February 5, 2019.
The Transatlantic Division provides design, construction execution and related engineering services in direct support to USCENTCOM and other activities within the USCENTCOM area of responsibility to establish the conditions for regional security and stability; and enables the USSOCOM global construction program through centralized planning/programming on behalf of the USACE Enterprise. With almost 800 people, the Transatlantic Division executes projects in the majority of the countries within the USCENTCOM area, from Egypt through the Middle East and Central Asia. The Transatlantic Division, headquartered in Winchester, Virginia, oversees construction programs exceeding $4 billion through the Middle East District, Transatlantic Afghanistan District, Task Force Essayons in Kuwait and Iraq, and Mosul Dam Task Force in Iraq. The Division also provides contingency and field force engineering resources for Operations Inherent Resolve, Freedom’s Sentinel, Resolute Support, and other military activities throughout the region.
In his previous assignment, he served as the Command Sergeant Major for the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, from May 2017 to January 2019. Before that, he served as the Command Sergeant Major for the 127th Airborne Engineer Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.
Command Sergeant Major Delapena is a native of Miami, Florida. He graduated from Miami Coral Park Senior High in June 1996. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1996 and attended One Station Unit Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, to become a Combat Engineer.
He has held numerous positions, which include: Armored Combat Earthmover Operator, Combat Engineer, Team Leader, Driver to The Commanding General V Corps, Squad Leader, Drill Sergeant, Drill Sergeant of the Year, Platoon Sergeant, First Sergeant, Battalion Command Sergeant Major, and Senior Military Instructor for the University of Florida Reserve Officer Training Corps.
Command Sergeant Major Delapena’s stateside assignments include Fort Stewart, Georgia; Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Gainesville, Florida; and Fort Bliss, Texas. His overseas assignments include Bamberg and Heidelberg, Germany. He has deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Inherent Resolve.
His military education includes the: 7th Army Primary Leadership Development Course (Honor Graduate and Leadership Award), the Combat Engineer Basic Non-Commissioned Officers course (Honor Graduate and Leadership Award), the Combat Engineer Advanced Non-Commissioned Officers course (Leadership Award and Commandant List), the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy Class 64 (Commandant List), the U.S. Army Drill Sergeant School (Leadership Award and Commandant List), Basic Airborne Course, Fort Bragg Small Arms Master Gunner Course, Jumpmaster School, Route Clearance Planners Course, Airborne Rough Terrain Jumper Certification, and the Master Resilience Trainer Course. He holds a Bachelor in Liberal Arts degree from Excelsior College graduating Cum Laude.
Command Sergeant Major Delapena’s awards and decorations include: the Legion of Merit; the Bronze Star Medal (three awards); the Meritorious Service Medal (four awards); Army Commendation Medal (six awards); Army Achievement Medal (nine awards); Good Conduct Medal (seven awards); National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star Device; Iraqi Campaign Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; NCO Professional Development Ribbon (five awards); Overseas Service Ribbon (three awards); Army Service Ribbon; International Security Assistance Force North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal; Meritorious Unit Commendation (three awards); Combat Action Badge; Drill Sergeant Identification Badge; Master Parachutist Badge; Drivers Badge (Wheel and Track); Ivory Coast, German, Australian, and Canadian Jump Wings; and the German SchĂĽtzenschnur (Silver). He is a member of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club.
He has also been awarded the Bronze DeFleury Medal (Engineer), the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara (Field Artillery), Distinguished Member of the 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, Honorary member of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, was selected as the Fort Sill Drill Sergeant of the Year for 2005, and awarded the U.S. Army Forces Command Sturgis Award (Top Engineer NCO) recipient for 2007.