BIOGRAPHY

COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR JAMES E. (Eddie) HARRIS, SR

State Command Sergeant Major

South Carolina Army National Guard

 

Command Sergeant Major Harris enlisted in the South Carolina Army National Guard (SCARNG) in January 1970, in Headquarters Company, 4^th Battalion, 118^th Infantry, Union, South Carolina.

Command Sergeant Major Harris served as Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant, First Sergeant and Battalion Command Sergeant Major in the 4^th Battalion, 118^th Infantry and the 218^th Heavy Separate Brigade, Newberry, South Carolina.  In April 1999, Command Sergeant Major Harris was selected to serve as the Regimental Command Sergeant Major for the 218^th Regiment (Leadership) at McCrady Training Center, Eastover, South Carolina.  He was selected by Major General Stanhope S. Spears, The Adjutant General of South Carolina, in January 2001 to serve as State Command Sergeant Major.

While serving as the traditional M-Day soldier, Command Sergeant Major Harris pursued a career in law enforcement.  His law enforcement assignments include serving as Corporal, Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Assistant Chief of Police in Union, South Carolina.  In November 1984, Command Sergeant Major Harris was appointed Resident Agent for Union County with the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED).  During his law enforcement career, Command Sergeant Major Harris received numerous commendations for excellence and achievements in the field of Criminal Investigation.  Command Sergeant Major Harris retired from SLED in July 1996.

Command Sergeant Major Harris is married to the former Joy Corley and they are the parents of Christie, James, Denver, and Matthew.  Command Sergeant Major Harris and his family attend the First Baptist Church in Union, South Carolina.  Command Sergeant Major Harris is a member of Elk's Lodge 1321, Union YMCA, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Association (SCLEOA).  In addition, he is a member of the National Guard Association of South Carolina (NGASC) and the Enlisted National Guard Association of the United States (ENGAUS).

Command Sergeant Major Harris' military awards and decorations include:  Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM), Army Achievement Medal (AAM) w/ 1 OLC, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (AFRM) w/ 20-year device; Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (ARCAM) w/ Silver OLC, National Defense Service Medal (NDSM), Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon (ARCOTR), Army Service Ribbon (ASR), Humanitarian Service Medal (HSM) w/ 1 OLC, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (NPDR) w/ 3 Device, Governor's Unit Citation w/ 1 OLC, South Carolina Meritorious Service Medal, South Carolina Exceptional Service Medal, South Carolina Achievement Ribbon, and South Carolina Active State Service Medal - 25 years.  Command Sergeant Major Harris has been serving as State Command Sergeant Major for the past six years.