Ortt Honors Local Veteran for 2021 NYS Senate Veterans Hall Of Fame

Today, Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt honored CSM Christopher Czarnecki as his nominee for the New York State Senate’s Veterans Hall of Fame class of 2021. Each year, the NYS Senate hosts a program where senators from across the state are afforded the opportunity to recognize a local veteran and their service to our nation.

Command Sergeant Major (CSM) Czarnecki enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1984, serving first with the U.S. Army Reserves and then the U.S. Army National Guard. In 1997, Czarnecki competed in the NYS Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) of the Year Competition, winning the honor for the 42nd Infantry Division.

During his time in the service, CSM Czarnecki has been deployed for several operations. These operations include serving as a section sergeant at Ground Zero in New York City, conducting security as a platoon sergeant for the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in Operation Noble Eagle, and serving with the U.S. Border Patrol along the Arizona /Mexico Border in Operation Jump Start. From 2008-2009, CSM Czarnecki was a Cavalry First Sergeant for A Troop 2-101 in Operation Enduring Freedom in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

CSM Czarnecki’s service has not been limited to overseas – serving as a first sergeant in relief operations during Hurricane Irene and Hurricane Sandy in New York City and as senior NCO advisor for the 152nd brigade engineer battalion and senior safety NCO for COVID-19 pandemic operations.

CSM Czarnecki’s awards and decorations include: the Legion Of Merit Medal, the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Combat Action Badge, and he has been awarded the Silver Medallion of the Order Of Saint George.

“For nearly four decades, CSM Czarnecki has honorably served our nation, both in foreign conflicts and here at home,” said Sen. Ortt. “I was proud to serve with CSM Czarnecki, where he courageously fought to bring safety, security, and democracy to the people of Afghanistan in Operation Enduring Freedom. His distinction as a soldier is matched by his excellence as a citizen, husband, and father. During times of need, our state and our nation have been able to call on him, and today, we recognize his service with his induction into the NYS Senate Veterans Hall of Fame.” 

CSM Czarnecki is a member of the Association of the U.S. Army and the United States Cavalry & Armor Association. He is the father of three daughters, has two sons-in-law, a granddaughter, and has been happily married to his wife, Carrie, for twenty-nine years.

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