Autobiography

MICHAEL Larry FORSBERG, MBA, Major, US Army, Retired

Commissioned on April 16, 2004, I was full of enthusiasm and nerves.  The day before, I received a phone call from the Battalion Commander.  He asked me to resign my Permanent Federal Technician job and be a Platoon Leader for one of his Companies through the deployment to Iraq. Word had come down that we were going to war.  I had waited to take my commission after completion of OCS almost a year prior to the phone call in hopes of obtaining an officer compatible Federal Technician Job.  I made my decision with my wife to take my commission and did not look back.  One day I am a Staff Sergeant, and the next day I am a Second Lieutenant packing up my family for Fort Knox Armor Officer Basic Course.  I did not hesitate, and my family was fully supportive partly because they got to spend another 4 months with me before deployment to Iraq.

Born with a clubbed foot in Logan, Utah, on February 12, 1974, the doctor told my parents I had less than 20% chance of ever walking.  I am the oldest of 4 with 2 brothers and 1 sister.  I have been told by many friends and family members how stubborn a person I am.  I have always had the fighting spirit and the desire to overcome obstacles in life.  Not only have I proven the doctor wrong by walking normally and without complication, I went on to win numerous cross country and track races to include 2 State of Idaho championships in the 800m race and another as the 3rd leg in the 4 X 400m relay.  I also competed in the National Junior Olympics in the 400m race and still hold the record for the Triple Jump at West Junior High set in 1988.  My 11 year old son, Brandon, attends that school today.  I hope one of my sons breaks that record.  I continued to run track throughout my high school years.  I obtained a scholarship for the 800m and went on to run it in a quick 1:50.

While on scholarship to Treasure Valley Community College in Ontario, Oregon, I met MaryRuth Kephas.  We were married on September 18, 1993.  Mary is from Kosrae, Federated States of Micronesia.  We have been married for 14 years.  She is my best friend.  She is someone I could always count on, a constant companion regardless of geography.  It has been said that a wife could either make or break a man.  Well, I would not be where I am at today without her influence.  She seldom lets me stay idol and comfortable in one spot for too long.  She constantly propels me forward.  We now have 5 children: Brandon (11), Kristina (10), Cameron (8), Wolana (5), and Derek (2).

On September 28, 2003, just a few days after we were married, I joined the Oregon Army National Guard to be an M1A1 tanker.  In 1994, I completed an Associate of Arts degree in Criminal Justice.

I went to Basic Training in Fort Knox, KY immediately after graduation from TVCC in 1994.  There, I learned to love tanks and the Army.  My wife and I had plans to go to Utah State University upon graduation from OSUT.  The closest armor unit was in Burley, Idaho so I transferred to the Idaho National Guard.  I did not hesitate to drive the 2.5 hours to drill every month as a PV2 for the thrill of tanks and the camaraderie of the Unit.  Being in excellent physical condition, I moved right up the ranks.  My wife and I became pregnant with Brandon in 2005 and we decided to move back home to Nampa, Idaho.  I remained in the Burley unit which happened to still be 2.5 hours from Nampa, as well.  I was made a gunner and soon after promoted to Sergeant in 1996.  I was also asked if I wanted a Federal Technician job at the Combined Support Maintenance Shop in Boise.  I took the job and began my Federal career.  Life is good.

In 1998, I went through the M1A1 tank commander course and was a gunner through a successful NTC rotation with the 116th Cavalry Brigade.  The National Guard showed up and defeated the OPFOR in every battle.  The OPFOR was held in the field another 2 weeks while we re-deployed.  I was promoted to Staff Sergeant and moved to an armor Unit closer to home in Nampa.

I worked hard to obtain my Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Computer Information Systems at Boise State University.  I worked full time as a federal technician in the Combined Support Maintenance Shop and the National Guard. I finally graduated in December 2002.

I shot 12 tank table VIII gunneries and 6 tank table XII gunneries as a loader, gunner, and tank commander winning top gun 3 times in my Battalion.  In 2003, my platoon was hand picked to shoot against the Canadian Army’s Lord Strathconian Horse Regiment to compete for the Can-Am cup [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgAsLvRmg2k&t=1208s].  We shot against their Leopard-1 tanks and won the competition.  A documentary crew followed my tank crew through the competition and produced a made-for-television film.

I completed Officer Candidate School that summer.  Going from Staff Sergeant back to nothing was tough.  I describe OCS as basic training on steroids.  I had to get back into the shape I was in during my college prime.  Over the 8 week 501 course, I knew that I was doing the right thing for my family, my Unit, and myself.  I decided not to take my commission right away because I was a Production Controller at the Maneuver Area Training and Equipment Site.  A commissioned officer could not hold this position, so I would have to gamble for the opportunity to arise within the next two years. The opportunity came.

After the Armor Officer Basic Course in Fort Knox, I linked up with my Unit mobilizing in Fort Bliss.  I found out that my Unit was not deploying as tankers, but was re-organized into a motorized infantry company.  Yes, I am now an infantry platoon leader.  I went from a 16 man tank platoon to a 44 man infantry platoon over night!

After a JRTC rotation, we deployed to Kuwait then into Iraq.  We were first OPCON to 1-62 Armor and conducted counter mortar missions through the first Iraqi election in February 2005.  After the elections, we were returned to the 116th Brigade Combat Team and flew in Chinooks to FOB Warrior, Kirkuk, Iraq.  We lived in a safe house and conducted counter-insurgency operations with an Operational Detachments – Alpha (ODA) team through the remainder of the deployment.  We assisted with another successful Iraqi democratic election in October 2005.

When we re-deployed home, I obtained a maintenance supervisor position at the Combined Support Maintenance Shop in Boise, ID.  I also became a Scout Platoon Leader during my unit’s transition from Infantry back to Tanks then to an Armor Reconnaissance Squadron.  I was a detachment commander through this transition.  I was selected by the Squadron Commander to be the Executive Officer to organize the new Forward Support Company because of my technician background in logistics since 1996.  I accepted.

When I was asked to attend the Active Duty Maneuver Captain Career Course (MCCC), I did not hesitate to accept.  My wife and family are supportive and know that this training will help me with all aspects of my life.  My civilian employer also supports my training because it will better prepare me for future roles as a supervisor and leader.  I also know that I will become a better husband and father with any opportunities I am presented.  I plan to continue to learn and grow to become a good leader of people and apply the values of the Army to everyone I come into contact with.  I am not in it for the money, status, or benefits.  I am in it because it is a part of me and I have become a part of it.

Upon completion of the MCCC and the Cavalry Leader Course, I became a true cavalry officer.  I returned home to continue as an executive officer through a successful annual training period in support of the first Bradley fighting vehicle transition from tanks.  I obtained a position in the surface maintenance office as an equipment specialist supervisor, in charge of all maintenance activities in the State of Idaho Army National Guard.

I was soon appointed as the 2-116 assistant squadron operations officer, planning missions and organizing how units will train to fight in a future deployment.  Due to my 14 years of logistics experience in supply and maintenance, I was immediately appointed as the squadron logistics officer.  I was promoted to Captain on 14 June, 2009.