As CSEL, CSM Stark serves as the principal advisor to his commander, United States Navy Admiral James G. Foggo, on matters affecting non-commissioned members (NCM) in the Alliance, while providing the command’s force structure and staff with NCM and junior officer development, utilisation and engagement.

Born in Saarlouis, Saarland, Germany, CSM Stark joined the German Army, Signal Intelligence and Electronic Warfare Branch in 1987. He has served in a variety of positions and capacities, more of which can be viewed here: https://jfcnaples.nato.int/page652412.aspx

Command Sergeant Major Stark has served in multiple overseas operations and missions to include Bosnia-Herzegovina as an intelligence interceptor, Afghanistan as a first sergeant, and the United States (both as a German Army Liaison Sergeant Major at the US Army Intelligence Center and to attend the US Army Sergeant Major Couse, Class 58).

CSM Stark is an honorary member of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club. See more here: https://home.army.mil/campbell/index.php/samc

JFC Naples is one of two JFCs in the NATO Command Structure. The activation of JFC Naples was a part of NATO's transformation aimed at adapting the allied military structure to the operational challenges of coalition warfare, to face the emerging threats in the new millennium. The new NATO Command Structure aims for a leaner, more flexible, more efficient, and better capability to conduct the full range of Alliance missions.

The mission of JFC Naples is to prepare for, plan and conduct military operations in order to preserve the peace, security and territorial integrity of Alliance member states throughout SACEUR's Area of Responsibility (AOR) and beyond. 

JFC Naples also contributes to crisis management and deterrence by ensuring that assigned headquarters and forces are at the designated state of readiness for the conduct and support of operations, and to conduct prudent operational level military analysis and planning that includes the identification of required forces. JFC Naples is to contribute to the development, conduct and evaluation of exercises to train Allied and Partner HQs and Forces in NATO joint/combined procedures. It shall also contribute to stability throughout the Euro-Atlantic area through cooperation and dialogue under Partnership for Peace, the Mediterranean Dialogue, as well as other initiatives in the field of consultation and engagement of non-NATO nations. It shall also work with Allied Command Transformation, in particular to promote the provision of capable combined/joint HQs, forces and capabilities.

This is part two of a SHAPE Public Affairs series, introducing Command Senior Enlisted Leaders within Allied Command Operations. Following highlights will include CSELs from: JFC Norfolk, Allied Land Command, Allied Maritime Command, and Allied Air Command, along with a number of domains and subcommands.

Story by SHAPE Public Affairs Office