2023 Hall of Fame Inductee
Fordham University (1983)
Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Michel M. Russell Sr. was born on June 14, 1966, in Monroe, North Carolina. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve as a field artillery man in 1983. He attended John Jay College of Criminal Justice where he completed a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. He completed the Army ROTC program through Fordham University and was the Distinguished Military Graduate.
Russell commissioned in 1987 and his first assignment was as an Assistant Platoon Leader, later Platoon Leader, D Battery, 1st Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery, 32d Air Defense Command, United States Army Europe and Seventh Army, Germany.
In 1991, Russell was detailed to the Ordnance Corps. 2d Armored Division, the 4th Infantry Division, and the Operational Test and Evaluation Command, respectively.
Russell has held several key developmental, broadening, and command assignments including aide-de-camp, an intern in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Army G4 logistics officer, and readiness branch chief in V Corps G4, Germany. He served as the support operations officer and executive officer in the 47th Forward Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF I) and returned as the battalion commander to the same unit during OIF VIII. Joint Staff J4, as the brigade commander for the 401st Army Field Support Brigade in Bagram, Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) XI-XII. He became the 28th Chief of Transportation and Commandant of the U.S. Army’s Transportation School June 4, 2015. From 2016 to 2017, he served as the U.S. Forces Korea J4, CFC, deputy C4, and United Nations Command deputy G4. From 2017 to 2019, he served as the commanding general for the 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command in South Korea. From July 2019 to May 2021, Russell served as the HQDA Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, G4.
Russell is a graduate of the Combined Arms Services Staff School, the Marine Corps Staff College, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. MG Russell’s numerous awards and decorations for his achievements in both combat and peacetime operations include the Parachutist Badge, the Army Staff Badge, the Office of the Secretary of Defense Staff Badge, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Badge and the Combat Action Badge. He currently holds three masters degrees, is Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certified, and is designated by the International Society of Logistics (SOLE) as a Demonstrated Master Logistician.
His recent assignments include Commanding General of 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, Eighth Army, Republic of Korea, Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, G-4, United States Army, Washington, DC and mostly recently Russell served as the Commanding General, 1st Sustainment Command (Theater), United States Army Central, Fort Knox, Kentucky.
September 1, 2023 Russell retired from the U.S. Army after 40 years of service.
About the Army ROTC Hall of Fame
The ROTC Hall of Fame was established in 2016 as part of the ROTC Centennial celebration. The first class (2016) inducted 326 former ROTC Cadets who had distinguished themselves in their military or civilian career.
The Hall of Fame honors graduates of the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps who have distinguished themselves in military or civilian pursuits. It provides a prestigious and tangible means of recognizing and honoring Army ROTC Alumni who have made lasting, significant contributions to the Nation, the Army and the history and traditions of the Army ROTC Program.
Read more about the 2023 Hall of Fame Inductees.
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