SFC Derek A.

Cascarelle

SFC Cascarelle, Derek was born in Flint, MI and raised in Sanford, NC until he was thirteen years of age.  He then moved to Forest Lake, MN where he completed high school. He enlisted as an Infantryman and attended One Station Unit Training (OSUT) at Fort Benning, GA on 27 July 2005. During his military career, SFC Cascarelle has held numerous leadership positions and served in various CONUS and OCONUS duty assignments, including one combat tour to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), and three combat tours to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Resolute Support (ORS).  He supported Operation Allies Welcome (OAW) while stationed at Fort McCoy, WI. SFC Cascarelle is married to Lindsay Cascarelle, and they have no children.

SFC Cascarelle first assignment at Fort Lewis (JBLM), WA as an assistant gunner with 2^nd Platoon, Alpha Company, 3^rd Battalion, 21^st Infantry Regiment (Gimlets), 1^st Brigade (Lancers), 25^th Infantry Division from January 2006 to July 2006. In July 2006 he had a Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) to Vilseck, Germany and his unit was reflagged to Dog Company 2^nd Squadron 2^nd Cavalry Regiment. From July 2006 till September of 2011, SFC Cascarelle was assigned to Dog Company 2^nd Squadron (Cougars), 2^nd Cavalry Regiment (Dragoons). In 2011, SFC Cascarelle completed a PCS to Joint Base Lewis-McChord and was assigned to 1^st PLT, Attack Company, 1^st Battalion, 38^th Infantry Regiment, 4 Brigade (Raiders), 2^nd Infantry Division. There he was assigned as Squad Leader and later as Weapons Squad Leader. In 2014, SFC Cascarelle attended and passed the United States Army Drill Sergeant School. For the next 32 months he was assigned as a Drill Sergeant to Alpha Co, 1^st Battalion 19^th Infantry Regiment at Fort Benning, GA.

In 2017, SFC Cascarelle took over Platoon Sergeant for 3^rd Platoon, Arrowhead Company, 1^st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2^nd Brigade (Warhorse), 4^th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, CO. During this time he led his platoon through Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) rotation in anticipation for the unit’s deployment in support of Operation Resolute Support. In 2020 SFC Cascarelle PCS’d from Fort Carson, CO to Ft. McCoy, WI to join HHC, 181 MFTB (Eagle BDE), 1st Army as an OC/T. He was assigned at the PLEX NCOIC and conduct operations for mobilization of Army reserves units in support of worldwide missions.

SFC Cascarelle is currently obtaining his bachelor’s degree in Homeland Security with a focus on Terror and Counter Terror operations from American Military University with an overall GPA of 3.4. SFC Cascarelle currently holds Associate of Arts degree in Military History.

SFC Cascarelle Military Education includes Basic Leader Course, Advanced Leader Course, Maneuver Senior Leader Course, Combat Life Saver Course (CLS), Unit Prevention Leader (UPL), Hazmat Course, Close Quarters Battle Course, Company Intelligence Course, Urban Breach Course, Extended Range Rifle Course, Equal Opportunity Leaders Course (EOL), Combative Level 1 & 2, United States Army Drill Sergeant School, Master Resilience Training, Master Resilience Training Facilitator Course, 1 Army OC/T Course, Airborne, Battle Staff, Joint Fires Observer Crouse.

His Military Awards include the Army Valorous Unit Award, Army Meritorious Unit Commendation (3rd Oak leaf cluster), Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2 Silver Oak leaf clusters), Army Commendation Medal w/ “C” device,  Army Achievement Medal (1 Oak leaf cluster), Army good conduct medal (5th Award), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (3 Bronze Stars), Iraq Campaign Medal (1 Bronze Star), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (3^nd Numeral), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (5^nd Numeral), NATO Medal (ISAF), Combat Infantryman Badge, Basic Parachutist Badge, Wheeled Driver Badge, Drill Sergeant Badge.