Board of Directors

CSM (R) Patrick McCauley is an accomplished Special Operations veteran who distinguished himself leading this nation’s most elite Special Operations organizations in diverse and challenging combat environments. Serving in the U.S. military for over 33 years, he culminated his career as the ninth Command Senior Enlisted Leader for the U.S. Special Operations Command.

CSM McCauley initially entered service with The United States Marine Corps in 1986, attending boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina. Upon completion of his training, he was trained as an Armor Crewman at Ft. Knox, KY and subsequently assigned to A Company, 8th Tank Battalion, 4th Marine Division.

In 1988, CSM McCauley transferred to the U.S. Army where he would serve tours with the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea and the 1 st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kansas before volunteering and completing the demanding pipeline to become a Green Beret. Upon successful completion of his training, he was assigned to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group at Ft. Bragg, NC. In 1995 he volunteered to try out for the U.S. Army’s Special Mission Unit where he would go on to serve for more than 20 years, culminating as the Command Sergeant Major for the organization.

In June 2015, CSM McCauley was selected for U.S. Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT) where he served for just over a year before being personally selected by General Tony Thomas to be the Command Senior Enlisted Leader for the 73,000 personnel that make up U.S. Special Operations Capability. CSM McCauley has deployed multiple times throughout his career, supporting Operations JOINT ENDEAVOR, UPHOLD DEMOCRACY, ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM, and INHERENT RESOLVE. He has completed the following military courses: Warrior Leader’s Course, Special Forces Assessment and Selection, Special Forces Qualification Course, Advanced Leaders Course, Ranger Course, Basic Airborne Course, Arabic Course, French Course, Static Line Jumpmaster Course, Free Fall Parachutist Course, Free Fall Jumpmaster Course, Senior Leaders Course, United States Army Sergeant Major Academy, the Summit Course, and the Keystone Course at the National Defense University.

CSM McCauley’s awards and decorations include the following: Distinguished service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with V-Device and 5 Oak Leaf Clusters, Defense Meritorious Service Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab, Combat Infantry Badge, Military Free Fall Jumpmaster Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, and Danish Parachutist Badge.

CSM McCauley graduated Suma Cum Laude from Norwich University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Strategic Studies and earned an M.S. in Organizational Leadership from the University of Charleston.

CSM McCauley currently resides with his wife of 32 years, Starla, in Kalispell MT. Their two children, Colton and Andrea, are both college graduates and successful professionals in their own right. Colton and his wife Samantha recently welcomed Patrick and Starla’s first grandchild, Avett in October.

Patrick is currently an Operating Partner at Data Collective Venture Capital (DCVC), a partner at Gothams Defense, and independent leadership consultant.