FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- Brig. Gen. Miyako Schanely, deputy commander of 412th Theater Engineer Command in Vicksburg, Miss., reaffirmed her oath of office during a promotion ceremony Jan. 4 at Fort Drum in the presence of her Family, friends, colleagues and her civilian employer, the State University of New York.
A resident of Black River, she is the first female Japanese-American and the first female engineer in the U.S. Army Reserve and second in the Army to be promoted to general officer.
In her civilian capacity, Schanely serves as executive director of the State University of New York North Country Consortium, a partnership of six SUNY campuses that collaborate to bring a variety of undergraduate and graduate degree programs to Fort Drum and the northern New York community.
Schanely and her husband reside in Black River. They have two grown children, Michael and Teresa.
She was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the engineers upon graduation from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1986.
Schanely served seven and a half years of active duty, including an assignment as company executive officer in the 94th Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy) in Darmstadt, Germany, completing troop construction projects in Aschaffenburg, Darmstadt, and Rhein Main Air Force Base. After completing the Engineer Officer Advanced Course, she served as company commander, battalion S1 and battalion assistant S3 in the 536th Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy) at Fort Kobbe, Panama, during humanitarian construction deployments to Honduras, Guyana, Uruguay, El Salvador and the "interior" of Panama.
After transitioning to the U.S. Army Reserve in 1993, she held several staff positions in the 98th Division (Institutional Training) and the 78th Division (Training Support). Command assignments have included the 2/313th Regiment (Logistical Support) of the 78th Division at Fort Drum during mobilizations for Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, the 6th Brigade (Professional Development) of the 98th Division in Syracuse, the 3rd Battle Command Training Group of 2/75th Division at Fort Dix, and chief of staff at 416th Theater Engineer Command.
As support division chief for the Office of the Program Manager -- Facilities Security Forces in Riyadh, she oversaw essential administrative and logistical staff support functions to a new strategic partnership with the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Interior and Facilities Security Forces. Most recently, she served as chief of staff of the 416th Theater Engineer Command and deputy commander of 412th Theater Engineer Command.
Schanely is a graduate of the Engineer Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Combined Arms and Services Staff School, the Army Command and General Staff College, the Army War College, and Advanced Joint Professional Military Education.
She holds a bachelor of science in engineering management from the U.S. Military Academy, a master of business administration from the University of Rochester, a master of strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College, and a master of arts in community economic development from Southern New Hampshire University.
Her awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Commendation Medal (with Silver and Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Achievement Medal, Parachutist Badge and Jungle Expert Badge.
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