"The Army talks about what makes up a leader, but at the end of day, the thing I hold near and dear is a simple phrase out of the Soldier's Creed, 'I am an expert and I am a professional," said Michael. "The most junior leader can tell you what an expert is not and when something is unprofessional and I think a leader is someone who is infectious in influencing other people to be an expert and a professional."
Michael began his Army career in 2006 when he went through basic combat training and Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Ga .
The Bangor, Wis., native, was a police officer before he joined the Army and initially came into the Army to get additional tactical experience that would assist in his law enforcement career. When he was near the end of his commitment he decided to continue his career in the Army because they gave back more in terms of emotional and financial compensation.
"[When it comes to duty] the Army is so easy, just show up and do your job," said Michael. "Someone asks you to do something, do it to best of your ability and don't stop at the first road block or at the first sign of trouble, just do what you're supposed to do."
Katie, Michael's wife, said he has always had a way of gaining the respect of people. She said he gains respect by setting a good example of best practices, working alongside the Soldiers he leads and recognizing the importance of the Soldier's families.
"Although mission is always first, he understands that it is not just the Soldier who lives the Army life," said Katie. "He has found a way to rally his Soldiers around a "brand name". He helped to create something that all of his Soldiers would be proud to be a part of."
Michael recently returned from his second deployment to Afghanistan, supporting Operation Enduring Freedom as the Bravo Troop commander.
As a recon troop, Michael said his unit was the eyes and ears for higher commands as well an economy of force within the Baghlan province. His troop maintained this large province by working across a broad spectrum of International Security Assistance Forces, Germans, Special Forces, and Afghans, Michael said he was grateful for the opportunity he had to build his troop into a well-seasoned team that trained with lessons learned from their 2010 deployment to Afghanistan.
"Colonel Ostlund couldn't put it any better, 'redeploy with honor'," said Michael. "One thing a person has is integrity or honor. A person can screw up a task and we'll retrain them and get them to do it right next time but if you don't have integrity or lose that, then there is no trust and if there is no trust, how can you operate in decentralized mission command trying to empower subordinates and leaders to do the right thing?"
Before returning from his most recent deployment, Michael said his chain of command recommended him for the MacArthur award saying his leaders saw something in him they wanted to recognize and highlight.
Michael did not receive notice he won the award until March 2014 while he was in Ranger School.
"All along I had thought it was such an honor for his Chain of Command to have chosen him to be put forward for nomination, when there are so many highly qualified and deserving captains," said Katie. "When we learned that he had made it to the division level, I started to think that he could actually be chosen for this award. When the official announcement came down, I was thrilled to hear that all of the hard work and efforts he has put into his profession were being recognized. I couldn't be more proud of him."
"Immediately upon taking command of 3rd IBCT it was apparent Mike Hefti was a special leader, soon it was evident he was in a league of his own and worthy of Army-level recognition", said Col. Bill Ostlund, commander, 3rd IBCT.
In concert with his battalion commander, Lt. Col. Mike Zernickow, Ostlund nominated Hefti for the award.
"I was thrilled when I learned Mike was selected to be a MacArthur Leadership Awardee," said Ostlund "When Mike graduated from Ranger School and as with the Lt. Col. Keith Antonia Officer Leadership Awardee, an award voted on by student peers, it served to yet again validate we have a very special leader in Mike Hefti.
Michael said he felt humbled his leadership nominated him and for being selected to receive the award. He said God gives everyone certain gifts and abilities to be good stewards with, and his happen to fall within the realm of the military.
"There are lots of things we agree and disagree on within our country but when you travel the world, you see we have an inherent amount of freedom and choices to do what we want," said Michael. "We have to rally behind the flag and have a sense of nationalism to do our duty, to serve in military, to make the most of our opportunities so our kids, spouses, families, and people we don't know can live their lives."
After he leaves Fort Knox, Michael plans to enter into the Training Doctrine and Command and become a Project Warrior trainer in order to polish up on doctrine, tactics, techniques and procedures. After three years, he then plans to return to the Forces Command in order to apply those teachings and lessons he learned.
Michael said passing knowledge in the Army is huge and doesn't think it is done enough. He said best practices should to be disseminated as low as possible where both successes and failures are shared in order to set both his future unit and his self up for success in the Army.
Michael is scheduled to receive the Gen. MacArthur Leadership Award at the Pentagon May 2014.
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