Colonel Michael J. Thomas was commissioned a Chemical Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School Class 19-67, 30 March 1967. His first duty assignment was as an Assistant Chemical Officer, Post CBR School, Fort Dix, New Jersey. | His subsequent duty assignments include: Training Officer, CBR School, Fort Drum, New York; Training Officer, Company D, 6th Battalion, 3rd Training Brigade, Fort Dix, New Jersey; Operations Officer, 472nd Chemical Battalion; HHD Commander/Adjutant, 472nd Chemical Battalion; Commander, 379th Chemical Company; Logistics Officer, 472nd Chemical Battalion; Intelligence/Operations Officer, 472nd Chemical Battalion; Commander, HHD, 315th Field Depot; Plan, Training, Intelligence Officer, 315th Field Depot; Comptroller, 315th Field Depot; Deputy Chief of Staff, 86th United States Army Reserve Command; Commander, 472nd Chemical Battalion; Chief, Maintenance Division, 86th U.S. Army Reserve Command; Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, Logistics, 86th U.S. Army Reserve Command; Commandant, 5034th USARF School; Deputy Chief of Staff, Resource Management, 86th U.S. Army Reserve Command; and Chief of Staff, 86th U.S. Army 86th Army Reserve Command, Forest Park, Illinois. | Colonel Thomas's military awards and decorations include: Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal with four oak leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star, and the Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon.