December 24, 1959 ~ November 4, 2025
Obituary for Command Sergeant Major Mitchell L. Rubenstein
The staff at Heishman Funeral Home, Inc. sends condolences to the family of Command Sergeant Major (Retired) Mitchell L. Rubenstein.
Command Sergeant Major (Retired) Mitchell L. Rubenstein, 65, of Edinburg, VA passed away Tuesday November 4, 2025, at his home. The family will receive friends Saturday November 8, 2025, from 10:00am-2:00pm at Valley Funeral Service in Edinburg, VA. Burial will take place at Culpeper National Cemetery on Monday November 10, 2025, at 12:00pm.
CSM Rubenstein was born December 24, 1959, in New York, son of Rachelle Lustig Rubenstein and the late Sidney Rubenstein.
Command Sergeant Major (Retired) Mitchell L. Rubenstein entered the United States Army in December 1980. After completing Basic Training, and Military Police School at Fort McClellan, Alabama, he then completed Basic Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia. Upon completion of Airborne school, he went to Lackland Air Force Base, Texas for 10 weeks for Patrol Dog handlers School. He served as an Airborne MP Dog handler with the 188th Military Police Company (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, NC. Ten months later he was back at Lackland Air Force Base, TX for Explosive Detection Dog handler School. Sergeant Rubenstein was deployed and served with his unit during the invasion and rescue “Operation Urgent Fury” in Grenada from 29 October 1983 thru 05 December 1983 as an Explosive Detection Dog handler. SGT Rubenstein closed out his active duty career with the 118th MP Co. (Airborne), Fort Bragg, NC as a Sergeant E/5, and had to leave his K-9 “Beau” behind, whom he handled since 1982.
Upon re-enlisting in the Army Reserve in June 1984, SGT Rubenstein was assigned to the 812th MP Co. Orangeburg, NY as an Assistant Squad Leader. He later became a Squad Leader after being promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant. SSG Rubenstein left the MP Corp to pursue a 11B Infantry MOS as a Drill Sergeant. After completing the Drill Sergeant Academy he then completed Basic Infantry School at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. SSG Rubenstein was then promoted to Sergeant First Class and served with the 78th Training Division, at Lodi, NJ as a Senior Drill Sergeant and received the 78th Division’s “Iron Mike Award” for the Outstanding Drill Sergeant of the year 1989.
SFC Rubenstein returned to the MP Corp in September 1990, with the 306th MP Battalion as the Security/Intelligence NCO then became the acting First Sergeant, then promoted to First Sergeant of the 306th MP Battalion. 1SG Rubenstein was later assigned to the 800th MP Bridge as the First Sergeant. While attending and completing the Sergeants Major Academy in the Class of 95 1SG Rubenstein was assigned to the 340th MP Co as the Operations NCO, as a Master Sergeant for one week before being promoted to the rank of Command Sergeant Major and taking over the reins of the 354th Transportation Battalion as the Battalion CSM. CSM Rubenstein returned to the MP Corp after completing his four year tenure with the 354th Trans Bn as CSM Rubenstein returned to the 306 MP Battalion and retired from the military March 2002.
CSM Rubenstein is a graduate of Nassau Community College, New York City Police Academy, FBI Sniper/Observer School, Nassau/Suffolk County Defensive Tactics Instructors School, New York State BMP State Certified Instructor, Nassau County Motor Officer School, Nassau County Radar/Lidar Course, Drill Sergeant School, Infantry School, Airborne School, Patrol Dog handler, and Explosive Detection Dog handlers Schools, Advanced NCO Courses, and Sergeants Major Academy Graduate class of 95.
CSM Rubenstein’s Awards/Decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with (1) Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Award with (4) Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Award with (1) Silver Oak Leaf Cluster, Good Conduct Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Grenada), Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Achievement Medal, National Defense Medal, NCOES-4, Army Service Medal, Army Reserve Overseas Training Ribbon, Novice Airborne Wings, Drill Sergeant Badge, Excellence in Competition Badge (EIC Bronze) for Pistol 1995, and Rifle 1996, and the 78th Division Outstanding Drill Sergeant of the Year “Iron Mike Award.”
CSM Rubenstein has been volunteering as a Coach for his son’s youth league football team, Instructor to the State of Virginia’s Hunter Safety Program and Treestand Safety Team, Honor Guard member for both the VFW and American legion, and currently serves as the Virginia Past Commander and various roles for the VFW Post 2447. CSM Rubenstein has been the President of the following organizations the Blue Knights Chapter VA16, and the 118th MP Company Airborne Association’s President and originator of the Association.
CSM Rubenstein resides in Edinburg, VA with his wife, Suzanne who is also a Retired CSM, and their two children, daughter, Casey and son, Sidney. CSM Rubenstein is a Retired Police Officer formerly of the Hempstead Police Department with over 21 years of faithful service and last assignment was with the Traffic Division as a Motorcycle Officer, The Department Defensive Tactics Instructor and Training Officer for the Departments Ceremonial unit.
Also surviving are his siblings, Scott, Sherry, Merry, and Seth, and his brothers in law, Bobby Stumpf and Danny Stumpf.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Tunnels to Towers, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, New York 10306 or VFW National Homes, 3573 S. Waverly Rd., Eaton Rapids, MI 48827.
Online condolences may be left at www.valleyfs.com
Arrangements are in the care of Heishman Funeral Home, Inc., Valley Funeral Service Branch, Edinburg.
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