Colonel Ronnie D. Michael hails from Florence, AL. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in January 1991 and served with 9th Engineer Support Battalion (Okinawa, Japan), and Marine Security Guard Battalion. Colonel Michael served as a Marine Security Guard at the American Embassy Guatemala City and the American Embassy Rome. In 1995, Colonel Michael separated from the Marine Corps to conduct a work/study in Central America and complete his college education. Upon graduation from the University of North Alabama, he was commissioned through the USMC Platoon Leader’s Course.

Colonel Michael is a graduate of the USMC Ground Supply Officers’ Course at Camp Lejeune, NC, and Expeditionary Warfare School. Colonel Michael holds Masters Degrees from the University of Oklahoma in Economics, USMC Command and Staff College in Military Studies, School of Advanced Warfighting in Operational Studies, and the National Defense University, Joint Advanced Warfighting School in Strategic and Operational Planning.

Colonel Michael’s command & leadership assignments have included: Director, Regional Contracting Office-Far East (Okinawa, Japan) and Commanding Officer, 1st Supply Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Camp Pendleton, CA).

Colonel Michael’s staff positions have been: Supply/Logistics Officer, Marine Air Support Squadron-2; Executive Officer, Marine Corps Detachment Keesler AFB; Supply Officer, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit; Operations Officer, Regional Contracting Office-Far East; Aide-de-Camp to the Commander, International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)-Joint Command; Executive Officer, 3rd Supply Battalion; Korea Plans Officer, 3rd Marine Logistics Group; Future Operations Planner, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and, Joint Strategic Planner, Operations Directorate, US Southern Command

Colonel Michael’s operational deployments include the 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), Joint Contingency Response Force (Operation TOMADASHI), and ISAF-Joint Command, Afghanistan (OEF).

Colonel Michael’s personal decorations include the Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal x 2, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal x 4, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

Colonel Michael and his wife, Christian, have two adult children (Javier and Andrea).