CMSgt Carlos F. Damian is the Command Senior Enlisted Leader for United States Forces Japan. As the senior enlisted leader, he is responsible to the Commander on matters concerning the combat readiness and quality of life of 66,000 joint military and Department of Defense civilian personnel, and 45,000 dependents.
He is a key advisor to the Commander for managing bilateral security issues, overseeing joint and bilateral exercises, administering the Status of Forces Agreement. Through engagements with the enlisted force, he is the communications link between the commander and the enlisted community. He ensures the commander’s policies and intent are known and understood and advises the commander of important enlisted force issues and concerns. He also provides critical interface with the senior enlisted leadership of the Japan Self-Defense Force, serving to foster better understanding and improved readiness of our allied partners.
Chief Damian has a diverse background that includes various leadership roles in Aircraft Maintenance, Basic Military Training, and as a First Sergeant. He has served assignments in Texas, Mississippi, Washington, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Japan, and Korea with distinct duties in Maintenance Groups, Training Groups, Air Base Groups, Mission Support Groups, and Operations Groups. Chief Damian has deployed in support of Operations; SOUTHERN WATCH, NORTHERN WATCH, ENDURING FREEDOM, and DEEP FREEZE.
Prior to his current position he served as the Command Chief for the 37th Training Wing at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas.
EDUCATION
2000 Airman Leadership School, Fairchild AFB, Wash.
2003 Military Training Instructor School, Lackland AFB, Texas
2008 Associates in Avionics System Technology, Community College of the Air Force 2009 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Peterson AFB, Colo.
2011 First Sergeant Academy, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Ala.
2012 Associates in Human Resource Management, Community College of the Air Force 2015 Bachelor of Science, Organizational Leadership, Chapman University
2015 US Marine Corps SNCOA Advanced Course, Camp Pendleton, Calif. 2019 Chief Leadership Course, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Ala.
2019 Squadron Commander’s & Superintendent Course, Randolph AFB, Texas 2021 Group Superintendent Course, Air University Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Ala. 2021 Command Chief Master Sergeant Training Course, JB Andrews, Md.
2022 Senior Enlisted Legal Orientation, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Ala.
2022 Masters in Business Administration, Columbia Southern University, Ala.
2023 Artificial Intelligence for National Security Leaders, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Mass. 2024 Keystone, National Defense University, Fort McNair Washington D.C.
ASSIGNMENTS OR CAREER CHRONOLOGY
1. February 1998 - November 2002, Communication & Navigation Systems Specialist, 92nd Aircraft Generation Squadron, Fairchild AFB, Wash.
2. November 2002 - November 2004, Military Training Instructor, 322nd Training Squadron, Lackland AFB, Texas
3. December 2004 - December 2006, Military Drill and Ceremonies NCO, 326th Training Squadron, Lackland AFB, Texas
4. January 2007 - June 2011 Communication & Navigation Systems Specialist, Flightline Expediter, Element Chief, 62nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
5. June 2011 - July 2012, First Sergeant, 627th Security Forces Squadron, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
6. August 2012 - August 2014, First Sergeant, 6th Space Warning Squadron, Cape Cod AFS, Mass.
7. September 2014 - July 2018, Section Chief, Production Superintendent, Lead Production Superintendent, AMU Superintendent, 305th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.
8. August 2018 – August 2020, Senior Enlisted Leader, 82d Reconnaissance Squadron, Kadena AB, JP.
9. September 2020 – May 2022, Senior Enlisted Leader, 18th Maintenance Group, Kadena AB, JP.
10. May 2022 – June 2023, Command Chief Master Sergeant, 8th Fighter Wing, Kunsan AB, ROK.
11. June 2023 – June 2025, Command Chief Master Sergeant, 37th Training Wing, JBSA-Lackland, Texas. 12. July 2025 – Present, Command Chief Master Sergeant, United States Forces Japan
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with four oak leaf clusters National Defense Service Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2000 Distinguished Graduate Award, Airman Leadership School Fairchild AFB, Wash.
2003 Commandant Award, 37th Training Wing Military Training Instructor School, Lackland AFB, Texas 2003 Rookie of the Year, 322d Training Squadron, Lackland AFB, Texas
2004 Military Training Instructor of the Year, 322d Training Squadron, Lackland AFB, Texas
2004 Master Military Training Instructor “Blue Rope”, 737th Training Group, Lackland AFB, Texas 2005 NCO of the Year, 326th Training Squadron, Lackland AFB, Texas
2007 Knucklebuster of the Year, 62d Maintenance Group, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. 2008 NCO of the Year, 62d Airlift Wing, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
2008 Lt Gen Leo Marquez Award, 62d Airlift Wing, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. 2009 Distinguished Graduate, Vosler NCOA, Peterson AFB, Colo.
2009 USO Service Member of the Year, Pacific Northwest Region, Seattle, Wash. 2011 Distinguished Graduate, First Sergeant Academy, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Ala.
2012 Otis Civilian Council Military Member of the Year and Massachusetts State Senate Award, Boston, Mass. 2013 First Sergeant of the Year, 21st Operations Group, Peterson AFB, Colo.
2015 Distinguished Graduate, US Marine Corps SNCOA Advanced Course, Camp Pendleton, Calif. 2015 SNCO of the Year, 305th Maintenance Group, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.
2016 SNCO Maintenance Professional of the Year, 305th Air Mobility Wing, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT SEPTEMBER 2018
(Current as of April 2025)