Command Sergeant Major, U.S. Army National Guard 

Command Sergeant Major John F. Sampa was appointed as the Command Sergeant Major of the Army National Guard on 15 February 2018.

He joined the United States Army on 30 April 1987 and has served in the Army National Guard and the United States Army for more than 33 years. He completed basic training as a Tank Armored Crewman at Fort Knox Army Post in Fort Knox, Kentucky. CSM Sampa was promoted to the rank of Sergeant Major on 8 April 2009. Prior to becoming the Command Sergeant Major of the Army National Guard, CSM Sampa served as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader for the Texas Military Department. CSM Sampa also served as the Command Sergeant Major for the 36th Infantry Division.

CSM Sampa has been mobilized for combat duty three times and deployed overseas for combat operations in Bosnia and twice to Iraq. CSM Sampa served as a key leader in the Texas Army National Guard, during the 2003 Space Shuttle Columbia search and Recovery Mission in East Texas. 

CSM Sampa’s military and civilian education includes all levels of the Noncommissioned Officer Education System. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy and the National Defense University Keystone Command Senior Enlisted Leader Course. CSM Sampa is also a graduate of the Texas Highway Patrol Academy. CSM Sampa attended the University of Houston for Civil Engineering Technology and worked as a Structural Steel Draftsman prior to becoming a Texas State Trooper.

Command Sergeant Major Sampa has been awarded numerous awards and decorations including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (4th award), Air Force Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (2nd award), Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal (2nd award), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal w/Campaign Star, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal and the Combat Action Badge. 

Command Sergeant Major Sampa has been employed with the Texas Department of Public Safety in the Highway Patrol Division for more than 26 years in concurrence with his military service. CSM Sampa is currently on military leave from his position as a Commercial Vehicle Enforcement State Trooper for the Texas Highway Patrol.

CSM Sampa and his wife, Carlette, of 29 years have one son (John) and one daughter (Julia).