Command Sgt. Maj. Kirk L. Ray, the former senior enlisted leader of the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, was removed from the brigade position before the Army formally charged him with a series of offenses involving alleged domestic violence against his wife, assault of another family member, extramarital sexual conduct and theft of prescription medication.
The Army Office of Special Trial Counsel confirmed to The Salty Soldier that Ray, 44, was formally charged Sept. 9, 2026, with four charges encompassing 12 separate allegations of misconduct.
Eight of the allegations involve domestic violence against Ray’s wife.
According to OSTC, those allegations include three counts of assault consummated by battery, one count of aggravated assault, one count of assault by suffocation, one allegation involving damage to personal property used as intimidation, and two allegations involving threats.
The alleged conduct occurred on multiple occasions between December 2023 and June 2024 in Poland, as well as during August 2025 at Fort Stewart.
Ray is also accused of assaulting another family member on Nov. 29, 2025, at Fort Stewart.
That allegation is charged as assault consummated by battery under Article 128 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
Two additional allegations accuse Ray of extramarital sexual conduct.
The Army says that conduct occurred on several occasions between December 2023 and June 2024 in Poznan, Poland, and again in August 2025 in Hilton Head, South Carolina.
Ray is also accused of stealing prescription medication from a family member in Poznan in June 2024.
The Army said there are two alleged victims in the case.
The Poland allegations overlap with Ray’s previous assignment as the senior enlisted leader of U.S. Army Garrison Poland.
Army records show Ray relinquished responsibility for that position to Command Sgt. Maj. Jason D. Jones during a Nov. 26, 2024, ceremony in Poznan.
Just 16 days later, on Dec. 12, 2024, Ray assumed responsibility as the senior enlisted leader of the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team during a ceremony at Fort Stewart.
The Army described Ray at the time as the incoming senior enlisted leader responsible for serving as the voice of the formation to the brigade commander.
The charges now accuse Ray of misconduct in Poland during 2023 and 2024, followed by additional alleged misconduct at Fort Stewart and in South Carolina in 2025.
Ray was later removed from the brigade senior enlisted position. The Salty Soldier has asked the Army for additional information about the circumstances and timing of that removal.
The case is now headed toward an Article 32 preliminary hearing, a required step before charges can be sent to a general court-martial.
OSTC told The Salty Soldier that the hearing was originally scheduled for Oct. 6 but was delayed because of a scheduling conflict. It is expected to be rescheduled for later this month.
A neutral preliminary hearing officer will review the evidence and determine whether there is probable cause to believe Ray committed the alleged offenses.
The hearing officer will then recommend how the case should proceed.
OSTC will consider that recommendation along with the available evidence before deciding whether any or all of the charges should be referred to a court-martial.
If the case is referred for trial, a military judge would then be assigned and dates would be set for arraignment, motions and trial proceedings.
Ray has not been convicted of any offense. The charges are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
The Salty Soldier will continue reporting on the case as it progresses through the military justice system.
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