MSG Stephen Giles was born in Frankfurt, Germany and enlisted in the Army in August 2004. He attended OSUT at Fort Benning, GA, and was awarded the MOS of 11B Infantryman. Following OSUT he completed Airborne school and was assigned to 4th Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, in Fort Richardson, Alaska. Shortly after activation of 4th BDE, 25th ID, the unit deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005.
MSG Giles’ assignments include Rifleman and Team Leader in A Company, 3-509 PIR, at Fort Richardson, AK; Team Leader and Squad Leader in A Company, 1-35 AR at Fort Bliss, TX; Reconnaissance Team Leader in C Troop, 6/4 CAV at Fort Knox, KY; Squad Leader and Bradley Section Sergeant in B Company, 2-70 AR at Fort Riley, KS; Drill Sergeant and Senior Drill Sergeant in B Company, 1-19 IN at Fort Benning, GA; Platoon Sergeant, BDE AIR, and First Sergeant at Fort Bragg, NC; and the Senior Military Science Instructor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
MSG Giles has deployed in multiple overseas tours including OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM 2005-2006, OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE 2020-2021, two tours in Afghanistan (OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM 2008-2009, 2013-2014), and Kuwait 2015.
MSG Giles’ awards and decorations include: Meritorious Service Metal, Army Commendation Medal (9OLC), Army Achievement Metal (7OLC), Army Good Conduct Metal (6KT), National Defense Service Metal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (3 Campaign Stars), Iraqi Campaign Medal (2 Campaign Stars), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 4), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon (Numeral 3), NATO Medal (BSS), Master Combat Infantryman Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Air Assault Badge, Drill Sergeant Badge, Wheeled Driver Badge, Thai Parachutist Badge, and the British Parachutist Badge. His unit awards include Meritorious Unit Citation (1OLC) and Valorous Unit Citation. MSG Giles is also a Sergeant Audie Murphy Award recipient.
MSG Giles’ military education includes: Master Leader’s Course (Commandant’s List), Senior Leader’s Course (Commandant’s List & Ironman Award), the Advanced Leader’s Course (Commandant’s List & Ironman Award), the Basic Leader’s Course (Commandant’s List), Battle Staff, Heavy Weapons Leaders’ Course, Master Resiliency Trainer Course, Combat Lifesaver, Marksmanship Master Trainer, Drill Sergeant School, Master Fitness Trainer, Squad Designated Marksman Course, Master Educator Course, Human Resources Assistant Course, and Combatives Level 2.
MSG Giles is married to his wife Michelle Giles. Together they have four children: Mikeal, Chris, Abbey, and Lillian.