Biographies

CSM William B. Zaiser was the Command Senior Enlisted Leader for the United States Southern Command.
 
CSM Zaiser was born in Iowa City, Iowa and entered the Army in February 1981 as an infantryman. He served in various positions with the 4th and 25th Infantry Divisions until 1987, when he attended the Special Forces Qualification Course. Upon completion of the course, then Staff Sergeant Zaiser, was assigned to the 7th Special Forces Group as a Communications Sergeant in the Group Signal Company and later as Senior Communications Sergeant for Operational Detachment-Alpha (ODA) 731. In 1993, he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 1st Special Warfare Training Group serving as an Instructor for the Communications Sergeants Course and Assistant Operations Sergeant in the 1st Battalion S3 Section. Following this assignment, he returned to the 7th Group serving as Intelligence Sergeant for ODA 766 and Team Sergeant for ODAs 766 and 765 completing several operational and training deployments into the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility. He also served as First Sergeant for the Group’s Headquarters and Headquarters Company.
 
In 2002, CSM Zaiser was assigned as Operations Sergeant for the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Crisis Response Element in the Horn of Africa. In early 2003 he deployed from Africa to Afghanistan to serve as Operations Sergeant for C Co, 2nd BN, 7th Special Forces Group in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. After his promotion to Sergeant Major in June, 2003 and the completion of the Sergeant Majors Academy he again returned to the 7th Group serving as Company Sergeant Major, Battalion Operations Sergeant Major, Forward Operating Base-71 (Afghanistan) Operations Sergeant Major, Group Operations Sergeant Major and Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan Operations Sergeant Major. From March, 2008 to October 2009 CSM Zaiser served as Command Sergeant Major for 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Force Group and Special Operations Task Force-31, Regional Command South, Afghanistan. In October 2009 CSM Zaiser took responsibility of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan and the 7th Special Forces Group. His most recent assignment was Command Sergeant Major for the United States Army Special Forces Command at Fort Bragg, NC.
 
Command Sergeant Major Zaiser has completed several military courses and schools including the Keystone Course, the Special Forces Qualification Course, Ranger School, Spanish Language School, the Jumpmaster Course, Military Free Fall Course, Operations and Intelligence Course, all Noncommissioned Officer Education System Courses, and the Special Operations Training Course.

Command Sergeant Major Zaiser’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit (OLC), Bronze Star Medal (2 OLC), Defense Meritorious Service Medal (OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (4 OLC), Joint Service Commendation Medal (OLC), Army Commendation Medal (3 OLC), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal (5 OLC), Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals, NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Military Free Fall Parachutists Badge, and the Air Assault Badge. He has also been awarded parachutist badges from the countries of Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador and El Salvador.

Command Sergeant Major Zaiser is married and has three children.