Krogman’s Path to the Top
CSM Krogman comes into this role with a serious pedigree. He has spent over three decades in uniform, most recently as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader at JSOC, where he advised on high-level operations involving the nation’s most capable counterterrorism and direct-action forces.
Though not everything about his past assignments is publicly documented (which is typical for JSOC leadership), we know this much: he came up through the Army’s most demanding units and has deployed repeatedly in support of combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. He’s earned the trust of operators, officers, and international partners alike.
In his current role, he’s also been heavily involved in building strategic relationships with allies across the Indo-Pacific. That includes joint training initiatives and SOF-to-SOF exchanges with countries like Japan and South Korea—critical to shaping regional deterrence efforts in places like the South China Sea.
Replacing a Proven Leader
Krogman will take over from Sgt. Maj. Shane Shorter, a respected Green Beret who held the USSOCOM enlisted leader role since 2022. Shorter’s tenure has been marked by a push to prioritize people over platforms, and to make mental health, family support, and modernization top priorities across the command.
That’s not a small act to follow, but if anyone’s equipped to continue the work and build on it, it’s Krogman.
What This Means for the Force
This transition comes at a time when USSOCOM is recalibrating for a new era of strategic competition. Special operations forces are still hunting terrorists, yes—but they’re also being called to counter gray-zone threats from peer competitors, support unconventional warfare campaigns, and provide rapid-response options for emerging crises.
Krogman’s experience inside JSOC puts him in a strong position to understand the demands placed on today’s special operators—whether they’re conducting partner force training in Africa, underwater reconnaissance in the Pacific, or cyber-enabled ops in Eastern Europe.
He’ll be the enlisted voice in the room when the command is balancing budget demands, mission readiness, and long-term force health. That’s not just about managing today’s missions—it’s about shaping the force for 2030 and beyond.
Looking Ahead
Command Sgt. Maj. Andrew Krogman brings a deep well of operational experience, personal credibility, and leadership integrity to his new post at MacDill. His selection is a vote of confidence from the highest levels of the Department of Defense and a signal that USSOCOM’s focus on readiness, resilience, and real-world capability isn’t changing course. This is reassuring.
For the men and women behind the rifle scopes, inside the cockpits, and on the net in dark rooms overseas—Krogman will be their advocate, mentor, and link to the top. And for the rest of us? It’s reassuring to know someone with firsthand experience is helping shape the future of special operations.
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