Command Sgt. Maj. Beau H. Oakes is a native of Martinsville, VA. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in April 2003 as an Infantryman. Oakes attended OSUT at Ft. Benning, GA. Oakes's infantry assignments include Grenadier and IAV Commander in 2-3 INF, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA and Squad Leader in 1-8 CAV, Fort Cavazos, TX. He has deployed in support of both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn.
Oakes’s recruiting assignments include Recruiter in Beckley BN and Raleigh BN, Station Commander in Raleigh BN and Tampa BN, First Sergeant in James River Company, Richmond BN, Student at the Sergeants Major Academy, Fort Bliss, TX, Operations Sergeant Major in Oklahoma City BN, and Command Sergeant Major in Mid-Atlantic BN.
Oakes is a graduate of the BN Pre-Command Course, U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy (Class 71), Recruiting Company Commander & First Sergeant Course, Senior Leader's Course, Advanced Leader's Course, Basic Leader's Course, Recruiter Course, Station Commander Course, Battle Staff Course, Instructor Course, and Airborne Course. He holds an Associate of Arts degree from Central Texas College, a Bachelor of Arts degree from Ashford University, and a Master of Arts degree from the University of Texas at El Paso.
His awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (6th award), Army Commendation Medal (7th award), Army Achievement Medal (3rd award), Recruiter Ring, Glenn E. Morell Medallion, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, and Parachutist Badge.