Michael S. Tucker
Encyclopedia
Major General Michael S. Tucker is a United States Army
General currently serving as the Commanding General of the U.S. Army's 2nd Infantry Division. On March 9, 2007, The Washington Post
reported Army Vice Chief of Staff General Richard A. Cody
's announcement that Tucker, a prior-enlisted soldier and a non-member of the Army Medical Corps, had been selected to take over the Deputy Commander position at Walter Reed Army Medical Center
as part of a major "leadership restructuring at Walter Reed…designed to attack problems and lapses exposed" in the growing scandal
over poor healthcare and treatment conditions for wounded combat outpatients at the historic medical facility, exposed in an undercover expose by Post reporters.
as a private in 1972 and served as a cavalry scout
for 1st Battalion, 35th Armor in Erlangen, Germany until he departed as a staff sergeant 1977. In 1979, following two years as a drill sergeant in the 3rd Basic Combat Training Brigade at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, General Tucker was accepted to Officer Candidate School
, where he graduated as a Distinguished Military Graduate.
After being commissioned in armor, General Tucker's first assignment was tank platoon leader, B Company, 1st Battalion, 35th Armor, Germany. During this tour from January 1980 until July 1984 he served as a Tank Company Executive Officer, Battalion Motor Officer, commanded the Battalion’s Combat Support Company and C Company. Following stateside schooling, General Tucker returned to Germany in January 1986 to command Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 35th Armor, then served as the Battalion Adjutant, Deputy Sub-Community Commander of Ferris Barracks, and finally as the S3, 1st Battalion, 35th Armor in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.
Major General Tucker attended Army Command and General Staff College
in 1991-92 and was then assigned as an Assistant Professor, United States Military Academy
, West Point, New York. He was then selected to serve as a joint staff officer, and was assigned as Chief, Joint Network Simulations at the Air Command and Staff College
, Maxwell Air Force Base
, Montgomery, Alabama.
Major General Tucker commanded 1st Battalion, 64th Armor, 3d Infantry Division (Mechanized) from June 1996 to June 1998 and following attendance at the U.S. Army War College, was assigned as the G3, 3d Infantry Division (Mechanized) from June 1999 to February 2001.
In March 2001, he assumed command of 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division, which culminated in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and then assumed duties as Executive Officer, Commanding General U.S. Army Europe and Seventh Army.
After completing his tour as Executive Officer, he assumed duties as the Assistant Division Commander (Maneuver) for the 1st Armored Division from August 2004 to August 2005. He then moved over to be the Assistant Division Commander (Support) from August 2005 until June 2006. Shortly after, General Tucker was selected to succeed Albert Bryant, Jr.
as the Deputy Commanding General/Assistant Commandant, United States Army Armor Center and Fort Knox
, and then assigned to Walter Reed in April 2007.
After completing his tour at Walter Reed, Major General Tucker was assigned as Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, International Security Assistance Force
(Afghanistan). Where he served until 2009.
, a Master's Degree in Military Arts and Sciences from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Shippensburg University.
reported by wounded soldiers and their family members.
As additional coverage by the Post and other news outlets continued, congressional hearings convened, and a growing scandal emerged. The sitting commander of Walter Reed Army Medical Center
, Major General Donald Weightman, resigned his command, and Secretary of the Army Francis Harvey was asked to step down as well, with the Army promising further restructuring and leadership changes to address the situation.
On March 8, 2007, Army Vice Chief of Staff General Richard A. Cody
’s announced that General Tucker would report to Washington to take over the Deputy Commander position at Walter Reed Army Medical Center
as part of a major “leadership restructuring at Walter Reed….designed to attack problems and lapses exposed” in the growing scandal. Additionally, General Cody expressed his wish to “ensure that veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan receive the care and respect they deserve” and offered his belief that “new leadership is key to fixing problems that let outpatient soldiers fall through the cracks.”
Explaining the Army’s selection of a non-medical corps Tucker, General Cody pointed to Tucker’s experience as a combat officer:
Major General Tucker has also earned the German Ranger Badge.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
General currently serving as the Commanding General of the U.S. Army's 2nd Infantry Division. On March 9, 2007, The Washington Post
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
reported Army Vice Chief of Staff General Richard A. Cody
Richard A. Cody
Richard A. Cody is a retired United States Army general who served as the 31st Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army from June 24, 2004 to July 31, 2008. He retired from the Army on August 1, 2008.-Early life and career:...
's announcement that Tucker, a prior-enlisted soldier and a non-member of the Army Medical Corps, had been selected to take over the Deputy Commander position at Walter Reed Army Medical Center
Walter Reed Army Medical Center
The Walter Reed Army Medical Center was the United States Army's flagship medical center until 2011. Located on 113 acres in Washington, D.C., it served more than 150,000 active and retired personnel from all branches of the military...
as part of a major "leadership restructuring at Walter Reed…designed to attack problems and lapses exposed" in the growing scandal
Walter Reed Army Medical Center neglect scandal
The Walter Reed Army Medical Center neglect scandal resulted from a series of allegations of unsatisfactory conditions and management at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. culminating in two articles published by The Washington Post in February 2007...
over poor healthcare and treatment conditions for wounded combat outpatients at the historic medical facility, exposed in an undercover expose by Post reporters.
Background and Experience
Major General Tucker entered the United States ArmyUnited States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
as a private in 1972 and served as a cavalry scout
Cavalry Scout
The Cavalry Scout is a job title and a reconnaissance specialist in the United States Army. Cavalry Scouts work to obtain, distribute and share vital combat and battlefield information on the enemy and on combat circumstances and environmental conditions. The role originated with the United States...
for 1st Battalion, 35th Armor in Erlangen, Germany until he departed as a staff sergeant 1977. In 1979, following two years as a drill sergeant in the 3rd Basic Combat Training Brigade at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, General Tucker was accepted to Officer Candidate School
Officer Candidate School
Officer Candidate School or Officer Cadet School are institutions which train civilians and enlisted personnel in order for them to gain a commission as officers in the armed forces of a country....
, where he graduated as a Distinguished Military Graduate.
After being commissioned in armor, General Tucker's first assignment was tank platoon leader, B Company, 1st Battalion, 35th Armor, Germany. During this tour from January 1980 until July 1984 he served as a Tank Company Executive Officer, Battalion Motor Officer, commanded the Battalion’s Combat Support Company and C Company. Following stateside schooling, General Tucker returned to Germany in January 1986 to command Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 35th Armor, then served as the Battalion Adjutant, Deputy Sub-Community Commander of Ferris Barracks, and finally as the S3, 1st Battalion, 35th Armor in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.
Major General Tucker attended Army Command and General Staff College
Command and General Staff College
The United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas is a graduate school for United States Army and sister service officers, interagency representatives, and international military officers. The college was established in 1881 by William Tecumseh Sherman as a...
in 1991-92 and was then assigned as an Assistant Professor, United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
, West Point, New York. He was then selected to serve as a joint staff officer, and was assigned as Chief, Joint Network Simulations at the Air Command and Staff College
Air Command and Staff College
The Air Command and Staff College is located at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama and is the United States Air Force's intermediate professional military education school. It prepares field grade and equivalent officers of all U.S...
, Maxwell Air Force Base
Maxwell Air Force Base
Maxwell Air Force Base , officially known as Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, is a United States Air Force installation under the Air Education and Training Command . The installation is located in Montgomery, Alabama, US. It was named in honor of Second Lieutenant William C...
, Montgomery, Alabama.
Major General Tucker commanded 1st Battalion, 64th Armor, 3d Infantry Division (Mechanized) from June 1996 to June 1998 and following attendance at the U.S. Army War College, was assigned as the G3, 3d Infantry Division (Mechanized) from June 1999 to February 2001.
In March 2001, he assumed command of 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division, which culminated in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and then assumed duties as Executive Officer, Commanding General U.S. Army Europe and Seventh Army.
After completing his tour as Executive Officer, he assumed duties as the Assistant Division Commander (Maneuver) for the 1st Armored Division from August 2004 to August 2005. He then moved over to be the Assistant Division Commander (Support) from August 2005 until June 2006. Shortly after, General Tucker was selected to succeed Albert Bryant, Jr.
Albert Bryant Jr
Brigadier General Albert Bryant, Jr. is a retired American Army General, best known for service as the Chief of Western Hemisphere Operations during and in the aftermath of the 9/11 attack and as Assistant Division Commander of the 4th Infantry Division at the time of the division's detection and...
as the Deputy Commanding General/Assistant Commandant, United States Army Armor Center and Fort Knox
Fort Knox
Fort Knox is a United States Army post in Kentucky south of Louisville and north of Elizabethtown. The base covers parts of Bullitt, Hardin, and Meade counties. It currently holds the Army Human Resources Center of Excellence to include the Army Human Resources Command, United States Army Cadet...
, and then assigned to Walter Reed in April 2007.
After completing his tour at Walter Reed, Major General Tucker was assigned as Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, International Security Assistance Force
International Security Assistance Force
The International Security Assistance Force is a NATO-led security mission in Afghanistan established by the United Nations Security Council on 20 December 2001 by Resolution 1386 as envisaged by the Bonn Agreement...
(Afghanistan). Where he served until 2009.
Education
General Tucker's civilian education includes a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from the University of MarylandUniversity of Maryland
When the term "University of Maryland" is used without any qualification, it generally refers to the University of Maryland, College Park.University of Maryland may refer to the following:...
, a Master's Degree in Military Arts and Sciences from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Shippensburg University.
Assignment in Wake of Walter Reed Army Medical Center Controversy
On February 18, 2007, the Washington Post began publishing a series of articles outlining cases of neglect at the Walter Reed Army Medical CenterWalter Reed Army Medical Center
The Walter Reed Army Medical Center was the United States Army's flagship medical center until 2011. Located on 113 acres in Washington, D.C., it served more than 150,000 active and retired personnel from all branches of the military...
reported by wounded soldiers and their family members.
As additional coverage by the Post and other news outlets continued, congressional hearings convened, and a growing scandal emerged. The sitting commander of Walter Reed Army Medical Center
Walter Reed Army Medical Center
The Walter Reed Army Medical Center was the United States Army's flagship medical center until 2011. Located on 113 acres in Washington, D.C., it served more than 150,000 active and retired personnel from all branches of the military...
, Major General Donald Weightman, resigned his command, and Secretary of the Army Francis Harvey was asked to step down as well, with the Army promising further restructuring and leadership changes to address the situation.
On March 8, 2007, Army Vice Chief of Staff General Richard A. Cody
Richard A. Cody
Richard A. Cody is a retired United States Army general who served as the 31st Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army from June 24, 2004 to July 31, 2008. He retired from the Army on August 1, 2008.-Early life and career:...
’s announced that General Tucker would report to Washington to take over the Deputy Commander position at Walter Reed Army Medical Center
Walter Reed Army Medical Center
The Walter Reed Army Medical Center was the United States Army's flagship medical center until 2011. Located on 113 acres in Washington, D.C., it served more than 150,000 active and retired personnel from all branches of the military...
as part of a major “leadership restructuring at Walter Reed….designed to attack problems and lapses exposed” in the growing scandal. Additionally, General Cody expressed his wish to “ensure that veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan receive the care and respect they deserve” and offered his belief that “new leadership is key to fixing problems that let outpatient soldiers fall through the cracks.”
Explaining the Army’s selection of a non-medical corps Tucker, General Cody pointed to Tucker’s experience as a combat officer:
"He understands soldiers. He understands leading in combat. He understands how to run large organizations. He's going to be the guy that we look to to be the soldiers' and families' advocate as they go through inpatient and outpatient, but also he's going to be the bureaucratic buster. . . and take on this bureaucracy that at times frustrates our soldiers."
Awards and decorations
Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
(2 Oak Leaf ClusterOak leaf clusterAn oak leaf cluster is a common device which is placed on U.S. Army and Air Force awards and decorations to denote those who have received more than one bestowal of a particular decoration. The number of oak leaf clusters typically indicates the number of subsequent awards of the decoration...
s)
Bronze StarBronze Star MedalThe Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
with “V” device (1 Oak Leaf ClusterOak leaf clusterAn oak leaf cluster is a common device which is placed on U.S. Army and Air Force awards and decorations to denote those who have received more than one bestowal of a particular decoration. The number of oak leaf clusters typically indicates the number of subsequent awards of the decoration...
)
Defense Meritorious Service MedalDefense Meritorious Service MedalThe Defense Meritorious Service Medal is the third-highest award bestowed upon members of the United States military by the United States Department of Defense...
Meritorious Service MedalMeritorious Service Medal (United States)The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
(3 Oak Leaf ClusterOak leaf clusterAn oak leaf cluster is a common device which is placed on U.S. Army and Air Force awards and decorations to denote those who have received more than one bestowal of a particular decoration. The number of oak leaf clusters typically indicates the number of subsequent awards of the decoration...
s)
Army Achievement Medal (2 Oak Leaf ClusterOak leaf clusterAn oak leaf cluster is a common device which is placed on U.S. Army and Air Force awards and decorations to denote those who have received more than one bestowal of a particular decoration. The number of oak leaf clusters typically indicates the number of subsequent awards of the decoration...
s)
Army Good Conduct Medal (2 Oak Leaf ClusterOak leaf clusterAn oak leaf cluster is a common device which is placed on U.S. Army and Air Force awards and decorations to denote those who have received more than one bestowal of a particular decoration. The number of oak leaf clusters typically indicates the number of subsequent awards of the decoration...
s)
National Defense Service MedalNational Defense Service MedalThe National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower...
(1 Star)
Afghanistan Campaign MedalAfghanistan Campaign MedalThe Afghanistan Campaign Medal is a military award of the United States military which was created by Executive Order 13363 of President George W. Bush on November 29, 2004. The Afghanistan Campaign Medal was designed by the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry....
Southwest Asia Service MedalSouthwest Asia Service MedalThe Southwest Asia Service Medal is a military award of the United States armed forces which was created by order of President George H.W. Bush on March 12, 1991. The award is intended to recognize those military service members who performed duty during the years of the Persian Gulf War...
(2 Stars)
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary MedalGlobal War on Terrorism Expeditionary MedalThe Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal is a United States armed forces military award created by George W. Bush on March 12, 2003 by Executive Order 13289. It recognizes those military service members who have deployed overseas in direct service to the War on Terror from September 11,...
Global War on Terrorism Service MedalGlobal War on Terrorism Service MedalThe Global War on Terrorism Service Medal is a military award of the United States military which was created by Executive Order 13289 of President George W. Bush on March 12, 2003...- NATO ISAF Medal
NCO Professional Development Ribbon (3 Device)
Army Service RibbonArmy Service RibbonThe Army Service Ribbon is a military decoration of the United States Army that was established by the Secretary of the Army on 10 April 1981 as announced in Department of the Army General Order 15, dated 10 October 1990....
Overseas Service RibbonOverseas Service RibbonAn Overseas Service Ribbon is a service military award of the United States military which recognizes those service members who have performed military tours of duty outside the borders of the United States of America. There are different versions of the Overseas Service Ribbons for the U.S. Army,...
(3 Device)
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)The Wisam Al-Tahrir was issued by the government of Kuwait for service during the Liberation of Kuwait campaign.-Description:The Kuwait Liberation Medal was approved by the Kuwait Council of Ministers for award in five classes, generally according to the rank of the recipient...
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)The Naut Tahrir al-Kuwait was instituted by King Fahd ibn Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia for service during the Liberation of Kuwait campaign.- Background :...
Expert Infantryman BadgeExpert Infantryman BadgeThe Expert Infantryman Badge, or EIB, is a military badge of the United States Army. Although similar in name and appearance to the Combat Infantryman Badge , it is a completely different award: while the CIB is awarded for participation in ground combat, the EIB is presented for completion of a...
Parachutist BadgeParachutist BadgeThe Parachutist Badge or Parachutist Brevet is a military badge awarded by the Armed Forces of most countries in the world to soldiers who receive the proper parachute training and accomplish the required number of jumps. It is difficult to assess which country was the first to introduce such award...
Drill Sergeant Identification BadgeDrill Sergeant Identification BadgeThe Drill Sergeant Identification Badge is a military badge of the United States Army which was first issued on January 15, 1958. It is also nicknamed the "pumpkin" patch due to its appearance when worn in the non-subdued pin-on version and in the color sew-on version worn before insignia was...
Major General Tucker has also earned the German Ranger Badge.