Jonathan Bentley

December 17, 1968 – January 6, 2024

Charlotte NC / Columbia SC

Passed suddenly Saturday, January 6, 2024.

Born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina

Preceded in death by parents, Phillip H Bentley and Mattie Ruth Philyaw Bentley

Survived by:

Son - Connor F Bentley of Charlotte NC

Sister – Gloria R Bentley of Charlotte NC

Brother – Phillip L Bentley (Vicki) of Woodstock GA

Niece and Nephew – Elizabeth Grey (Chris) of Sugar Hill, GA & Justin Bentley (Melissa) of Canton, GA

2 great nephews, 1 great niece

Graduated from Olympic High School, Charlotte NC and ECPI (IT), Charlotte NC

Military history:

Command Sergeant Major (CSM) Jonathan Everette Bentley hails from Charlotte, North Carolina. He entered the United States Army on January 20th, 1987, as an Infantryman and was selected as an instructor assigned to 2nd Battalion 108th Training Group, 108th Training Division. CSM Bentley served as an Infantry One Station Unit Training (OSUT) Land Mine warfare instructor until 1991 when he volunteered for the United Stated Drill Sergeant School. CSM Bentley served as a Drill Sergeant and Senior Drill Sergeant until 1999 when he was assigned as an Operations NCO for the 3rd Battalion 518th Infantry Regiment.

In 2003, CSM Bentley volunteered for a mobilization to serve a Senior Drill Sergeant and Acting First Sergeant, Delta Company, 1st Battalion 34th Infantry Regiment. In 2007, CSM Bentley was assigned to Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion 323rd Infantry Regiment and was later selected to serve as Acting CSM. Following this 18-month assignment, CSM Bentley was assigned to Headquarters Company, 2nd Brigade, 98th Training Division as a First Sergeant.

In February 2010, CSM Bentley was selected to serve as Senior Operations NCO, J645, Defense Logistics Agency. Upon completion of the assignment, CSM Bentley returned to the 98th Training Division to serve as acting CSM assigned to 1st Battalion, 321st Regiment. CSM Bentley was selected for promotion to Sergeant Major in March 2010 and appointed to CSM on September 11th, 2011. He served as CSM of 1st Battalion, 311th Regiment, 4th Cavalry Brigade from September 2011 to November 2014. CSM Bentley deployed to Afghanistan in 2012 to serve as a CSM, PRT Nangahar. In November 2014, CSM Bentley was selected to serve as CSM of 1 Battalion, 321st Infantry Regiment at Fort Jackson.

In October 2016, CSM Bentley mobilized to Camp McCrady, SC as the CSM for Task Force Marshall to train and deploy Navy Sailors under the Navy Individual Augmentee Combat Training Mission. In 2018, CSM Bentley was appointed as CSM of 2nd Brigade, 98th Training Division at Fort Jackson for three years until retirement completing 34 years of service in April 2021.

CSM Bentley’s military education includes Infantry Basic and AIT (OSUT), the Primary Leadership Development Course, Army Instructor’s Course, Basic and Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Courses, Drill Sergeant Course, First Sergeant’s Course and a Graduate of the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy, Class 37.

CSM Bentley’s awards and decorations include the Afghanistan Campaign Medal (with campaign star), Defense Meritorious Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (with three oak leaf clusters), the Army Commendation Medal (with two oak leaf clusters), the Army Achievement Medal (with silver oak leaf cluster), the Army Reserve Achievement Medal (with silver oak leaf cluster), the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Ribbon (with “M” device and silver hourglass), four NCOES ribbons, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service ribbon, NATO medal, Germany Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (Gold), and Drill Sergeant Identification Badge

A visitation will be held on Friday February 9, 2024 from 12 PM to 2 PM at Wilson Funeral Cremation and Cremation Service, 5301 Albemarle Road Charlotte, NC 28212