Barracks Rumor Mill cover: full-frame photo of 3rd Infantry Division soldiers in OCP standing in formation at Fort Stewart, with the headline "3ID Brigade CSM Charged With DV, Suffocation, Theft" over a dark band and a small CHARGED stamp.

3ID Brigade CSM Charged With DV, Suffocation, Theft

October 16, 2026

Command Sgt. Maj. Kirk L. Ray, 44, was charged Sept. 9 under the Uniform Code of Military Justice with domestic violence, assault and other misconduct spanning Poland and Fort Stewart. The Army’s Office of Special Trial Counsel lists 12 allegations under four charges. He has not been convicted.

Ray was the senior enlisted adviser at U.S. Army Garrison Poland from Aug. 16, 2023, to Nov. 26, 2024. After that tour he became command sergeant major of the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, at Fort Stewart, Ga.

What the charges say

Alleged domestic violence against his wife in Poland from December 2023 through June 2024, including assault consummated by battery, aggravated assault, assault by suffocation and threats.
Alleged extramarital sexual conduct in Poznan during that same period.
Alleged theft of prescription medication from a family member in Poznan in June 2024.
Alleged domestic violence against his wife at Fort Stewart in August 2025.
Alleged extramarital sexual conduct in Hilton Head, S.C., that same month.
Alleged assault of another family member at Fort Stewart on Nov. 29, 2025.
OSTC identifies two alleged victims. They are not named here.

What’s next

Charged Sept. 9, 2026.
USAG Poland said he completed his assigned tour. Garrison leadership jobs were one-year assignments at the time. The garrison declined to comment on the charges and referred questions to OSTC.
An Article 32 pretrial hearing set for Oct. 6 was postponed for scheduling. OSTC expected it later in October.
He’s presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Why it matters

Same UCMJ, same OSTC, whether you’re an E-9 or an E-1.
The allegations span two leadership jobs: an overseas garrison billet and a brigade CSM seat.
The Article 32 hearing is next. Expect it later this month.

Shop patches, flags and tees at e4mafia.shop. This week’s pick: the E-4 MAFIA Patch.

Cover photo: Soldiers assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division stand in formation at a redeployment ceremony at Fort Stewart, Georgia, April 30, 2024. The people pictured are unconnected to this case. U.S. Army photo, 3rd Infantry Division, via DVIDS (ID 8372851), https://www.dvidshub.net/image/8372851/3rd-id-welcomes-home-soldiers-europe-rotation. The appearance of U.S. Department of War (DoW) visual information does not imply or constitute DoW endorsement.