Sergeant Major Christopher L. Callan, D8891 (Life), died on 18Jul20 from injuries sustained while participating in a civilian freefall parachute activity. Chris was born on 28Nov70. He was the son of Dennis and Melinda Callan. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his daughters Rosemary and Margaret and his son Samuel.
He started his military career on 28Mar90 by enlisting in the U. S. Navy Reserve followed by enlisting in the National Guard and serving from Sep93 until Aug94. On 19Aug94 he enlisted in the U. S. Army as an Infantryman. He was assigned to the 24th ID and the 3rd ID stationed at Fort Stewart, GA and later stationed in Germany with the 1st ID.
While serving with the 1st ID, he successfully completed the Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course. In addition to completing the Special Forces Qualification Course, he completed the SF Medical, Communications and Intelligence Sergeants Courses. He was assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) Torii Station, Okinawa. He was discharged from Active Duty on 2Mar06.
On 3Mar06, he enlisted in the Rhode Island Army National Guard and was assigned to Company A, 2nd Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne). He served as Senior Communications Sergeant and as an Operations and Intelligent Sergeant. He deployed with Co A to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from 11Jan09 through 30Jul09.
Chris transferred to HHD, 56th Troop Command, RIARNG and served as First Sergeant. His final assignment was as the Operations NCO, 9Mar20 until 18Jul20. He had completed the
U. S. Army Sergeants Major Course and was posthumously promoted to Sergeant Major.
Some of the many courses successfully completed by Chris were SF Military Free Fall Jumpmaster Course, The High-Risk Level C SERE Course, The Antiterrorism Instructor Qualification Course, The SF Advanced Urban Combat Course and The Malaysian Combat Tracking Course.
Some of his awards and decorations include: Special Forces Tab, Master Parachutist Badge, Military Free Fall Parachutist Badge (Jumpmaster), Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Bronze Star Medal. He was also awarded parachutist badges by Thailand, Dominican Republic, Canada, Germany, and the Philippines.
Chris was a Sergeant and supervisor with the East Greenwich, RI Police Department from 2006 until his death.
The funeral for Chris was conducted at the RI Veterans Cemetery on 28Jul20. Police Departments from all the jurisdictions in RI were represented. Members of Co A/2/19 and the 56th Troop Command had a significant presence. The EGPD vehicle carrying Chris’ remains paused in front of the SF Monument where a formation of members of Chapter 48 stood at Present Arms.
