Sergeant Major Stephen P. Cunningham assumed duties as the senior enlisted advisor of Army Field Support Battalion-Campbell at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, June 2025.
He previously served as the 3rd Ordnance Battalion command sergeant major, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.
SGM Cunningham enlisted in the Army in June 1999 as a Kiowa Warrior crew chief. He attended Basic Combat Training at Fort Benning, Georgia, and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Eustis, Virginia. He later graduated from the Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, July 2007.
SGM Cunningham’s duty positions and assignments include: 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry, Fort Stewart, Georgia (Kiowa Warrior crew chief), deployed in support of Operation Joint Forge (Bosnia-Herzegovina), and twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom; 752nd Ordnance Disposal Company (EOD), Fort Hood, Texas (EOD team leader), deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom; EOD Training Detachment, Eglin Air Force Base (instructor/writer and evaluator); 725th OD Co (EOD), Fort Drum, New York (Operations and platoon sergeant), deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom; Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 63rd OD Battalion (EOD), Fort Drum (Operations sergeant and first sergeant), deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom; 760th OD Co (EOD), Fort Drum (first sergeant); 71st OD Group (EOD), Fort Carson, Colorado (Operations sergeant major); 242nd OD Bn (EOD), Fort Carson (Operations noncommissioned officer in charge), deployed in support of Operations Spartan Shield, Inherent Resolve, and Freedom’s Sentinel (U.S. Central Command, Task Force Hellhound); 20th Chemical, Biological, Nuclear, Radiological, and Explosives Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland (secretary of the general staff sergeant major).
SGM Cunningham’s professional military education includes: Kiowa Warrior (OH-58D (I)) Repairman’s Course (Distinguished Honor Graduate), Advanced Kiowa Warrior New Equipment Course, Primary Leadership Development Course, Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal, FBI Post Blast Analysis Course, Master Drivers course, Andros Operation and Maintenance Training Course, Journeymen’s Instructor Course (Navy), Advanced Leader’s Course (Commandant’s List and AUSA recipient), Tactical Post Blast Course, Senior Leader’s Course, Battle Staff NCO Curse, Advanced Improvised Explosive Devices Disposal Course, First Sergeant’s Course, Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention Course, NATO Attack the Network Operator’s Course, Common Faculty Development - Instructor Course, Sergeants Major Academy (Commandant’s List), and Battalion/Brigade Pre-Command & Command Sergeants Major Course.
His civilian education includes an Associate of Arts degree in management with a concentration in human resources from American Military University, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in leadership and workforce development from the Army Command and General Staff College.
SGM Cunningham’s awards include two Bronze Stars, six Meritorious Service Medals, Joint Service Commendation Medal, six Army Commendation Medals, three Army Achievement Medals, Air Force Achievement Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, three Meritorious Unit Citations, Army Superior Unit Award, eight Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (2 stars), Iraq Campaign Medal (6 stars), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (numeral 5), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (numeral 3), NATO Medal (2 stars), Master Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge, Aircraft Crewman Badge, and the Drivers Badge.
He is also an Order of Samuel Sharp recipient, Legionnaire of the Order of the Dragon, and has earned the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (Gold).
SGM Cunningham was born in Covina, California, and raised in Lake Elsinore, same state. He is married to a Soldier, and they have a son serving in the Army.