CSM Santos J. Soto was born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island and raised in Lares, Puerto Rico. He entered the United States Army on October 29, 1996, as an Infantry Mortarman (11C) at Fort Moore, GA.
CSM Soto has served in numerous leadership position, including Team Leader, Squad Leader, Section Sergeant, Section Leader, Platoon Sergeant, Drill Sergeant, First Sergeant, and Senior Infantry Team Chief Observe Controller, and Trainer (OC/T) NCOIC, Brigade Operation Sergeant Major, Army Instructor and Senior Enlisted Advisor for Joint Operation (JOC).
CSM Soto’s previous assignments include B TRP, 1st Squadron, 2nd Armored Cavalry Fort Johnson, Louisiana; HHC, 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division Fort Cavazos, TX; Bco, 1st Battalion 34th Regiment, 165th Infantry Brigade, Fort Jackson, SC; B TRP, 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division JBLM, WA; Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC), Fort Moore, GA; C TRP, 2d Squadron, 13th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Division Fort Bliss, TX; 1st Battalion, 360th Infantry Regiment, 5th Armored Brigade Fort Bliss, TX. His oversea assignments include Bco, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment 2nd Infantry Division, Republic of Korea; A TRP 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Federal Republic of Germany. His deployments include Kuwait (2001, 2002, 2016); Iraq (Operation Iraqi Freedom II); Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom X and XII); Oman (Operation Inferno Creek); Joint Task Force Bravo (JTF-B) Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras.
CSM Soto’s military education include Basic Airborne school, Basic Leader Course, Infantry Mortar Leaders Course, Combative 1 and 2, Drill Sergeant School, Advance Leaders Course, Senior Leader Couse, Army Basic Instructor Course, Small Group Instructor Training Course, Faculty Development Course 1 and 2, and the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy Class 70.
CSM Soto’s civilian education includes a Certificate in Computer Science from the InterAmerican University of Puerto Rico; Associate in General Studies from Central Texas College, Killeen, TX; a Bachelor of Science in Management Communication from Amridge University, Montgomery, AL; a Master in Business Administration- Management from Western International University, Phoenix, AZ; a Doctorate’s Executive Certificate in Business, from Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA; and is currently pursuing his Doctor in Business Administration from Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA
CSM Soto’s award include Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3OLC), Army Commendation Medal (8OLC), Army Achievement Medal (1OLC), Army Good Conduct Medal (9th award), National Defense Medal, NCO Professional Development (w/ Numeral 5), Overseas Ribbon (w/ Numeral 5), NATO International Security Assistance Force Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Basic Parachutist Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, Combat Infantry Badge, Drill Sergeant Badge, Basic German Parachutist Badge, and Basic Army Instructor Badge.
CSM Soto last served as the Senior Enlisted Advisor for the JOC in JTF-B, Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras.
CSM Soto is married to the former Jessica Gonzalez of El Paso, TX. He has four boys Santos, JanCarlos, Luis, and Santiago, and one daughter Jazzlyn.