San Diego State University Professor of Military Science
Lieutenant Colonel Michael J. Arnold
United States Army
Phone: 619-594-1231
E-mail: Michael.arnold@mail.sdsu.edu

LTC Michael Arnold was commissioned in May 1993 as a Transportation Corps Officer and Distinguished Military Graduate from University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA. After his initial training, LTC Arnold’s first assignment was in The Federal Republic of Germany where he deployed to support Peacekeeping Operations in Operation Joint Endeavor in Bosnia Herzegovina. He served in various logistics positions to include platoon leader, Company Executive Officer, and as the Aide-de-Camp for the Commanding General of the 3rd Corps Support Command.

In 1997, LTC Arnold attended the Combined Logistics Officer Advanced Course at Fort Lee, VA. He was assigned to Fort Eustis, VA in the 24th Transportation Battalion, 7th Transportation Group. In this assignment Captain Arnold served as the Battalion Operations Officer, and then commanded the 567th Cargo Transfer Company. In his assignment as Company Commander Captain Arnold deployed to support Operation Desert Thunder in Kuwait and then supported Exercise “Bright Star” in Egypt.

From 2000 to 2002, LTC Arnold attended the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and received a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy. He was subsequently assigned as an assistant professor at the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY. Upon completing his assignment at West Point Major Arnold was selected by the Dean as an Associate Professor in the Department of Social Sciences.

In 2004 Major Arnold was selected to attend both the Army Command and General Staff College and the School of Advanced Military Studies and earned his second masters degree in Military Arts and Sciences at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

In 2006, LTC Arnold was assigned as the Chief of Plans for the 19th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) in Daegu, Republic of Korea. His primary responsibility was planning for the evacuation of Non combatants should the armistice between North and South Korea fail. He was then assigned as the Executive Officer for the 25th Transportation Battalion, 501st Sustainment Brigade.

In July 2008, LTC Arnold deployed to Balad, Iraq where he became the Chief of the Initiatives Planning Group at the 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary). His primary responsibilities were planning with the Multi National Corps-Iraq and the Multinational Forces-Iraq for the “Responsible Drawdown of Forces” as the United States plans to reduce its force structure in Iraq by the December 2011 deadline. He assumed duties as the Professor of Military Science for the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps at San Diego State University in July 2009.

LTC Arnold’s awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), the Army Commendation Medal (six awards), the Army Achievement Medal (three awards), and various service medals and unit awards. LTC Arnold is married to the former Karen Wakefield of Connecticut. They have two children, Andrew James and Cameron.