COL Michael J. Glisson | Army ROTC | SIU

Inducted December 12, 2014

COL Michael J. Glisson received his commission in May 1988 at Southern Illinois University - Carbondale.  He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Metalsmithing from Southern Illinois University - Carbondale and a Masters degree in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College.  He Joined the Illinois Army National Guard in February of 1990 as a Fire Support Team Chief assigned to the 2-123 Field Artillery (FA) and attached to the 3-130 Infantry (IN).

His professional military education includes the Field Artillery Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Combined Arms Staff Services School, Infantry Captains Career Course, Joint Firepower Course, Joint Operation Fires and Effects Course, Air Mobility Operations Course, Command and General Staff Officer Course, Reserve Component National Security Course, and the United States Army War College as well as the Joint Task Force Commander’s Training Course.

COL Glisson’s previous assignments include Fire Support Officer, 3^rd Battalion, 130^th Infantry Regiment; Service Battery and Bravo Battery Commander, 3^rd Battalion, 123^rd Field Artillery; Battalion Operations Officer and Executive Officer, 3rd Battalion, 123rd Field Artillery; Fire Support Coordinator, 33^rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT); Battalion Commander, 2^nd Battalion, 123^rd Field Artillery; Brigade Operations Officer and Executive Officer 33^rd IBCT; and Plans Branch Chief, G3, Illinois Army National Guard.  COL Glisson currently serves as the Commander for the 65^th Troop Command. 

He has deployed in support of Operation Noble Eagle as the Chief, Army Liaison Section, United States Air Force – Air Mobility Command Security Forces, and in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as the CJ7, Director of Afghan National Security Forces Development, Combined Joint task Force Phoenix VIII.  He has also been part of multiple state active duty and overseas training missions as well as support to the 2012 NATO summit.

COL Glisson’s awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Illinois Medal for Merit, Illinois State Active Duty Ribbon, and the Joint Meritorious Unit Award.

As a civilian, he is a self-employed artist blacksmith and resides in Festus, MO with his wife Laura and his two sons Connor and Dylan.