Command Sergeant Major Clarence M. Keithley, Jr. entered the Army on 2 August 1978 and completed Basic and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky as an Armor Crewman. His stateside assignments include two tours to Fort Riley, Kansas, as part on the 1st Infantry Division; two tours to Fort Stewart, Georgia; Active Component/Reserve Component duty at Fort Stewart, Georgia; as an Armor Crewman and Tank Commander at Fort Hunter Liggett, California; and Drill Sergeant Duty at Fort Knox, Kentucky. His overseas assignments include three tours in Korea and one tour in Germany with the 3d Infantry Division. He has also served as Senior Enlisted Advisor for the armor battalion at 2d Readiness Training Battalion, Fort Stewart, Georgia; the First Sergeant of C Company, 4th Battalion, 37th Armor Brigade and Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 34th Armor Brigade at Fort Riley, Kansas; the Operations Sergeant Major for 2d Battalion, 34th Armor Brigade and Operations Sergeant Major for 2d Battalion, 72d Armor Brigade. He then served as the Battalion Command Sergeant Major for 2d Battalion, 72d Armor Regiment, Camp Casey, Korea, and the Brigade Command Sergeant Major for 177th Armor Brigade, Camp Shelby, Mississippi. From April 2008 to September 2012, CSM Keithley served as the Command Sergeant Major for the United States Military Training Mission to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh.

CSM Keithley’s military education includes: the Warrior Leader Course, Advanced and Senior Leadership Courses, the United States Army Sergeant Major Course, Drill Sergeant School, and the Master Fitness Course.

CSM Keithley has a Bachelors Degree in Human Resource Management from Madison University

CSM Keithley’s awards include: the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (4th OLC), Army Commendation Medal (1st OLC), Army Achievement Medal (5th OLC), Army Good Conduct Medal (10th award), National Defense Service Medal (with Service Star), Global War on Terrorism (Service) Medal, Global War on Terrorism (Expeditionary), Korea Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 4), the Overseas Ribbon (Numeral 8), Drill Sergeants Badge, and the Orders of St. George and St. Barbara.