Maj. Gen. Michael S. Linnington
Commanding General
Major General Linnington was born in Cape May, N.J. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1980 and was commissioned as an Infantry Officer. His civilian education includes a Bachelors of Science degree from the United States Military Academy, and a Master of Science degree (Mathematics) from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, N.Y. His military education includes the Infantry Officer’s Basic and Advanced Course at Ft Benning, Ga., US Army Command and General Staff College at Ft Leavenworth, Kan., and the National War College in Washington, DC where he earned a Masters Degree in National Security Strategy.
His 30 year career includes duties in key command and staff positions at Ft Ord, Calif.; Ft Riley, Kan.; the Berlin Brigade in West Berlin, West Germany; multiple assignments to Fort Campbell, Ky.; the Republic of Korea, and on both the Army and Joint Staffs in the Pentagon. From June 2002 through June 2004, MG Linnington commanded the 3d Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (AASLT) where he deployed both in Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (Iraq).
After selection to Brigadier General, Linnington served at Ft Benning, Ga. as the Deputy Commanding General, and later at West Point, N.Y. as the 71st Commandant of Cadets at the United States Military Academy. From Sept 2009 through April 2011, MG Linnington was deployed on Operation Enduring Freedom on the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command (IJC) staff in Kabul, Afghanistan, as the J5 and later as Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Projects.
MG Linnington has numerous awards and decorations, commensurate with his years of service. He is a Combat Infantryman, Expert Infantryman, Airborne, Air Assault, Pathfinder, and Ranger qualified officer.