BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY : BRIGADIER GENERAL MICHEAL X. GARRETT AFRICAN AMERICAN UNITED STATES ARMY GENERAL : GOES INTO THE " HALL OF BLACK GENIUS "

Colonel Michael X. Garrett graduated from Xavier University in 1984 with a B.S. Degree in Criminal Justice and was commissioned in the United States Army as an Infantryman.
His assignments include Platoon Leader and Executive Officer 3-19th Infantry Battalion, Fort Stewart, Georgia; Platoon Leader and Executive Officer 1-75th Ranger Regiment at Hunter Army Airfield; Battalion Operations Officer, Commander Combat Support Company 2-503d Infantry, Commander Headquarters and Headquarters Company  2nd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Camp Hovey, Korea; Aide-de-camp for Commander, 2nd Infantry Division; Assistant Operations Officer and Commander A/3-75th Ranger Regiment Fort Benning, Georgia; Ranger Liaison Officer , 75th Ranger Regiment; Battalion Liaison Officer and Operations Officer  2-75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Lewis, Washington; Regional Exercises Officer and Training Chief of the Deployable Joint Task Force Augmentation Cell (DJTFAC) US Pacific Command.
In June 2000, he assumed command of the 3rd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.  Following command, COL Garrett served as the 18th Airborne Corps Chief of Current Operations at both Fort Bragg and Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan.
In June 2003, he was assigned to the United States Military Academy, serving as the 2nd Regimental Tactical Officer and the United States Corps of Cadets Brigade Tactical officer.  In July 2004, COL Garrett was selected and served as the Director, Department of Military Instruction.
COL Garrett assumed command of 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division on 15 February 2005.  The BCT deployed in October 2006 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and returned in December 2007.  He relinquished command 20 June, 2008.
He currently serves as a Senior Military Fellow at the Center for a New American Security, Washington, D.C.
His military education includes the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, and the Command and General Staff College.  He is also a Senior Service College selectee.
His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit (OLC), Bronze Star Medal (OLC), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3OLC), Army Commendation Medal (2OLC), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Pathfinder Badge and the Air Assault Badge.
COL Garrett is married to Mrs. Lorelei Garrett, and they have two children, Samantha and Michael.