Command Sergeant Major Patrick Couser was appointed as the SDNG's thrid senior enlisted leader on June 15, 2019, and is the tenth SD Army National Guard state command sergeant major.

Couser first served his country in the South Dakota Army National Guard as a heavy vehicle driver with Detachment 1, 740th Transportation Company in March 1982 in Aberdeen, SD. He deployed in 1991 as a team leader with the 740th during Operation Desert Shield – Desert Storm. Upon his return, Couser served as a squad leader for four years with the 740th Transportation Company and then was selected as the truck master for the 1742nd Transportation Company in Sioux Falls, SD, in 1996 . In January 2003, Couser was transferred to the 727th Transportation Company to deploy as a platoon sergeant in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Upon his return, he was selected as the senior maintenance supervisor for the 88th Troop Command in 2004. In December of 2005, he was  selected as the first sergeant of the 665th Maintenance Company in Mitchell, SD. In July 2007 to May 2008 he attended the Sergeants Major Academy (Resident course Class 58)at  Fort Bliss, Texas. From June 2008 until June 2011, Couser served as the Command Sergeant Major for the 881st Troop Command in Sturgis, SD.

In June 2011, Couser was selected as the command sergeant major and the NCOES commandant for the 196th Regiment (RTI). In March of 2015, Couser was selected as the 109th Regional Support Group command sergeant major.

Couser received his Bachelors degree from SDSU in 1994 and completed his Masters Degree in 2008 at the University of Texas at El Paso while attending the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy. 

Couser’s Deployments include: Desert Storm (Nov 1990-July 1991), Operation Iraqi Freedom (Jan 2002-March 2003) with additional tours in Korea (1989), Panama (1993), Netherlands(1997) & Egypt (2005). 

A few of Couser’s awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal(3 awards), Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (4 awards), Combat Action Badge and selected as a member of the Ancient order of Saint Christopher.