Michael H Shields of the Norwich University Class of '84 is now a Brigadier General!
Col. Shields was selected for the rank of Brigadier General in July of 2008, and promoted this April.
Among his many assignments, he was the initial Commander of the newly constituted 172nd Stryker Brigade first known as the "Arctic Legionaries," then the "Snow Hawks."
Col. Michael Shields, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team commander, attaches a new battle steamer to a guidon during the brigade’s redeployment ceremony outside Fort Wainwright, Alaska, Dec. 13, 2006. Defense Dept. Photo by William D. Moss
Based in Alaska, the 172nd earned the sobriquet the Arctic Wolves when they deployed their Stryker fighting vehicles. Said then Colonel Shields,“We just felt that the Arctic Wolves was more in line with our future of transformation. They hunt as a pack, never leave a comrade, hunt and commute over extended distances–in Alaska over 1,000 miles–survive in darkness and six or seven months of extreme cold weather, and hunt and kill any prey that they run into.”
They fought in Iraq for over 450 difficult and deadly days where the 172nd earned and was awarded the Valorous Unit Award. General George W. Casey, Jr. who was the signing General wrote:
"The 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team distinguished itself by extraordinary heroism while engaged in military operations between 16 August 2005 to 3 December 2006 during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM III in both the Ninewah Province and Baghdad Iraq. Beginning with deployment operations and continuing through an accelerated RIP/TOA process at a time when some of the heaviest fighting was taking place in Northern Iraq, the Brigade valiantly fought the enemy using lethal and non-lethal means which created a safe environment for the October 2005 constitutional referendum and 2005 National Elections. The security provided by the Brigade created a higher turnout by percentage between the three elections and culminating in the transition of battlespace to the Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police. The 172nd Stryker Brigade controlled almost 50,000 square kilometers, leveraging the full spectrum of assets from Brigade to National level in order to engage the populace and neutralize the enemy. The 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team was chosen by the President of the United States to extend their year-long deployment for an additional 120 days to support operations in Baghdad. Their warrior spirit and professionalism quickly made an impact in the Baghdad area of operations. The men and women of the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team displayed extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty which were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect distinct credit upon them and the Armed Forces of the United States."
In addition two Soldiers earned the Distinguished Service Cross, and six Soldiers earned the Silver Star for actions in Iraq.
Col. Mike Shields, commander of the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, and Command Sgt. Maj. Joe Ulibarri, 172nd BCT senior noncommissioned officer, case their unit’s colors during a Nov. 24 ceremony at Camp Liberty, Iraq. The Arctic Wolves served 16 consecutive months in Iraq and are officially head back to Alaska. Photo by Spc. L.B. Edgar, USA
Secretary of the Army Francis J. Harvey, Maj. Gen. Charles Jacoby and Col. Michael Shields render honors during a redeployment ceremony for the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team near Fort Wainwright, Alaska, Dec. 12.Photo by William D. Moss
United States Army Frocked Brigadier General Michael H. Shields Deputy Director for Operations National Military Command Center, J3 The Joint Staff 3000 Joint Staff Pentagon Washington, DC 203183000 Since: Nov 2008 SOURCE OF COMMISSIONED SERVICE ROTC EDUCATIONAL DEGREES Norwich University – BS – Physical Education Central Michigan University – MS – Administration United States Army War College – MS – Strategic Studies MILITARY SCHOOLS ATTENDED Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses United States Army Command and General Staff College United States Army War College FOREIGN LANGUAGES None recorded PROMOTIONS 2LT 1LT CPT MAJ LTC COL DATE OF APPOINTMENT 31 Aug 83 26 Mar 86 1 Feb 89 1 May 95 1 Jun 99 1 May 04 FROM TO ASSIGNMENT May 85 Nov 86 Platoon Leader, A Company, 2d Battalion, 32d Infantry, redesignated 3d Battalion, 27th Infantry, 7th Infantry Division (Light), Fort Ord California Dec 86 May 88 Scout Platoon Leader, 3d Battalion, 27th Infantry, 7th Infantry Division (Light), Fort Ord California Jun 88 Nov 88 Student, Infantry Officer Advanced Course, United States Army Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia Mar 89 Dec 90 Commander, B Company, 4th Battalion (Mechanized), 12th Infantry, 8th Infantry Division, United States Army Europe and Seventh Army, Germany Jan 90 Jan 93 Commander, Long Range Surveillance Detachment, 108th Military Intelligence Battalion, later 501st Military Intelligence Battalion, 1st Armored Division, United States Army Europe and Seventh Army, Germany Jan 93 May 94 Small Group Instructor, Tactics Division, Combined Arms and Tactics Directorate, United States Army Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia Aug 94 Jun 95 Student, United States Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas Jul 95 Jun 96 Operations Officer, G3, XVIII Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, North Carolina Jun 96 Jul 97 Operations Officer, S3, 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina Jun 97 May 00 Battalion S3 Trainer, later Chief of Plans, G3, United States Army National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California May 00 May 02 Commander, 3d Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina May 02 May 03 Assistant Chief of Staff (Operations), C3, Coalition Task Force82, OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM, Afghanistan Jul 03 Jun 04 Student, United States Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania Jul 04 Dec 06 Commander, 172d Brigade Stryker Combat Team, United States Army Alaska, Fort Wainwright, Alaska and OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM, Iraq Jan 07 Aug 07 Chief, Eastern Europe and Eurasia Division, Deputy Directorate for PoliticoMilitary Affairs (Eastern Europe/Eurasia), J5, The Joint Staff, Washington, DC page 1 of 2 Aug 07 Nov 08 Assistant Deputy Director, Europe/North Atlantic Treaty Organization/Russia/Africa Policy, The Joint Staff, J5, Washington, DC Nov 08 Present Deputy Director for Operations, National Military Command Center, J3, Washington, DC May 02 May 03 Assistant Chief of Staff (Operations), C3, Coalition Task Force82, OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM, Afghanistan Jul 03 Jun 04 Student, United States Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania Jul 04 Dec 06 Commander, 172d Brigade Stryker Combat Team, United States Army Alaska, Fort Wainwright, Alaska and OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM, Iraq Jan 07 Aug 07 Chief, Eastern Europe and Eurasia Division, Deputy Directorate for PoliticoMilitary Affairs (Eastern Europe/Eurasia), J5, The Joint Staff, Washington, DC Aug 07 Nov 08 Assistant Deputy Director, Europe/North Atlantic Treaty Organization/Russia/Africa Policy, The Joint Staff, J5, Washington, DC Nov 08 Present Deputy Director for Operations, National Military Command Center, J3, Washington, DC SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS Assistant Chief of Staff (Operations), C3, Coalition Task Force82, OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM, Afghanistan Chief, Eastern Europe and Eurasia Division, Deputy Directorate for PoliticoMilitary Affairs (Eastern Europe/Eurasia), J5, The Joint Staff, Washington, DC Assistant Deputy Director, Europe/North Atlantic Treaty Organization/Russia/Africa Policy, The Joint Staff, J5, Washington, DC Deputy Director for Operations, National Military Command Center, J 3, Washington, DC SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS ASSIGNMENTS Assistant Chief of Staff (Operations), C3, Coalition Task Force82, OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM, Afghanistan Commander, 172d Brigade Stryker Combat Team, United States Army Alaska, Fort Wainwright, Alaska and OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM, Iraq US DECORATIONS AND BADGES Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster) Meritorious Service Medal (with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters) Army Commendation Medal (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters) Army Achievement Medal (with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters) Combat Infantryman Badge Expert Infantryman Badge Master Parachutist Badge Senior Parachutist Badge Pathfinder Badge Parachutist Badge Air Assault Badge Ranger Tab DATE May 02May 03 Jan 07Aug 07 GRADE Lieutenant Colonel Colonel Aug 07Nov 08 Nov 08Present Colonel DATE May 02May 03 Jul 04Dec 06 GRADE Lieutenant Colonel Colonel page 2 of 2
I would like to extend my sincerest congratulations to Mike for a job well done! As a matter of fact, his performance was so exemplary that even the Department of the Army thought so too, and awarded him the Legion of Merit!
Legion of Merit Awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service.
As I frequently have said, it has been my honor to attend Norwich University, and it has been an honor to have known and spent time with all the fine men and women I met at Norwich.
I just hope they all remember the troubles I took to keep them entertained!
The 2.5 semesters you actually spent at Norwich University have certainly left an indelible impression on you. Clearly, it is with fond memories that you remember my Alma Mater. You have obviously kept abreast on the many accomplishments of Norwich University Alumni, both in uniform and in private industry. Particularly, you have singled out those Alumni who are in harm’s way proudly serving our country overseas. Your thorough blog report on Gen. Shields, NU ’84 was well done and certainly reflects the dedicated manner in which you approach your writing. Accordingly, we must not be remiss in also recognizing the rest of our servicemen and women who have also sacrificed and given much. I’m sure that any given Private or Airman earning his/her first stripe would have been just as jubilant and proud and as was Gen. Shields upon earning his first star. General Shield’s promotion to his current rank certainly reflects his unwavering dedication to his Country, his men and his mission. I would also like to extend my warmest congratulation’s to Mike’s family for their sacrifice and support as well. Well done Mike! HooRah! NU Forever…….
Col. Michael Shields, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team commander, attaches a new battle steamer to a guidon during the brigade’s redeployment ceremony outside Fort Wainwright, Alaska, Dec. 13, 2006. Defense Dept. Photo by William D. Moss 
"The 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team distinguished itself by extraordinary heroism while engaged in military operations between 16 August 2005 to 3 December 2006 during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM III in both the Ninewah Province and Baghdad Iraq. Beginning with deployment operations and continuing through an accelerated RIP/TOA process at a time when some of the heaviest fighting was taking place in Northern Iraq, the Brigade valiantly fought the enemy using lethal and non-lethal means which created a safe environment for the October 2005 constitutional referendum and 2005 National Elections. The security provided by the Brigade created a higher turnout by percentage between the three elections and culminating in the transition of battlespace to the Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police. The 172nd Stryker Brigade controlled almost 50,000 square kilometers, leveraging the full spectrum of assets from Brigade to National level in order to engage the populace and neutralize the enemy. The 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team was chosen by the President of the United States to extend their year-long deployment for an additional 120 days to support operations in Baghdad. Their warrior spirit and professionalism quickly made an impact in the Baghdad area of operations. The men and women of the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team displayed extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty which were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect distinct credit upon them and the Armed Forces of the United States."
Col. Mike Shields, commander of the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, and Command Sgt. Maj. Joe Ulibarri, 172nd BCT senior noncommissioned officer, case their unit’s colors during a Nov. 24 ceremony at Camp Liberty, Iraq. The Arctic Wolves served 16 consecutive months in Iraq and are officially head back to Alaska. Photo by Spc. L.B. Edgar, USA
Secretary of the Army Francis J. Harvey, Maj. Gen. Charles Jacoby and Col. Michael Shields render honors during a redeployment ceremony for the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team near Fort Wainwright, Alaska, Dec. 12. Photo by William D. Moss
Secretary of the Army Francis J. Harvey, Maj. Gen. Charles Jacoby and Col. Michael Shields render honors during a redeployment ceremony for the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team near Fort Wainwright, Alaska, Dec. 12. Photo by William D. Moss
Legion of Merit
3 comments:
Hooah!
I've heard of Norwich... Up in Vermont IMSC... Congrats to your school mate, must have been one hell of a leader to get to General!
Mike S.
Albert,
The 2.5 semesters you actually spent at Norwich University have certainly left an indelible impression on you. Clearly, it is with fond memories that you remember my Alma Mater. You have obviously kept abreast on the many accomplishments of Norwich University Alumni, both in uniform and in private industry. Particularly, you have singled out those Alumni who are in harm’s way proudly serving our country overseas. Your thorough blog report on Gen. Shields, NU ’84 was well done and certainly reflects the dedicated manner in which you approach your writing. Accordingly, we must not be remiss in also recognizing the rest of our servicemen and women who have also sacrificed and given much. I’m sure that any given Private or Airman earning his/her first stripe would have been just as jubilant and proud and as was Gen. Shields upon earning his first star. General Shield’s promotion to his current rank certainly reflects his unwavering dedication to his Country, his men and his mission. I would also like to extend my warmest congratulation’s to Mike’s family for their sacrifice and support as well. Well done Mike! HooRah! NU Forever…….
Chuck “GoGo” Gomez, NU ‘84
Post a Comment