[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 126 (Monday, September 12, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 12, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                   TRIBUTE TO COL. MICHAEL D. O'BRIEN

                                 ______


                           HON. CHET EDWARDS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 12, 1994

  Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today I want to congratulate Col. 
Michael D. O'Brien who will retire from the U.S. Army on 30 October 
1994, after a long and distinguished career of service to our Nation 
spanning over 27 years.
  Colonel O'Brien was drafted as a private in the Regular Army at the 
age of 23. He entered service on 13 September 1968 at Shreveport. LA. 
Following completion of his indoctrination training at Fort Polk, LA, 
he was retained as a drill sergeant. Just over 1 year later, the young 
soldier, now a sergeant, entered Officer Candidate School at Fort Sill. 
Following successful completion of Officer Candidate School, Colonel 
O'Brien was commissioned a second lieutenant of field artillery in the 
U.S. Army Reserve on 31 October 1969.
  Over the course of his career Colonel O'Brien served in a variety of 
exceptionally challenging troop and staff assignments in the United 
States, Germany, Korea, and Vietnam. Virtually every young officer 
aspires to command soldiers. Most officers today command at the company 
level only once. The exceptional officer may garner two company-level 
commands. Mike O'Brien had ample opportunity to practice his craft and 
hone his skills to a fine edge commanding four different field 
artillery batteries serving a total of well over 4 years in company-
level command.
  Obviously, Mike O'Brien stood out from his peers for as an artillery 
officer he was selected to attend the officers advanced course at the 
U.S. Army Armor School. Such selection is an indication that an officer 
has mastered his basic branch skills and is being groomed for positions 
of much greater responsibility. Following completion of the course, 
then-Captain O'Brien immediately returned to command, this time for 
over 2 years with a direct recruiting detachment in Alameda, CA. This 
was the mid-1970's when serving in the U.S. Army was not a particularly 
popular option with America's youth. Recruiting duty was tough. Mike 
O'Brien continued to excel.
  As a field grade officer, Colonel O'Brien continued his service in a 
series of increasingly challenging assignments. He served as battalion 
operations officer and the executive officer with the 6th Battalion, 
10th Field Artillery, a corps artillery unit stationed in Bamberg, 
Germany. Next was an 18 month stint in the office of the Deputy Chief 
of Staff for Operations and Plans at Headquarters, Department of the 
Army. Then it was off to Korea, first as the aid-de-camp to the 
commanding general of the Combined Field Army, Korea, and then as the 
operations officer for the Division Artillery, 2nd Infantry Division. 
Mike then returned to the Pentagon, this time serving in the Office of 
the Chief of Legislative Liaison as a staff officer.
  In July 1987, then-Lieutenant Colonel O'Brien assumed command of the 
1st Battalion, 14th Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Stewart, GA. This 
was a 203mm, self-propelled field artillery battalion providing the 
24th Infantry Division with its most devastating firepower. Through 
sustained superior performance Mike O'Brien provide he had what it took 
to command over 500 soldiers and their families. Once again Mike 
O'Brien excelled.
  Assignments of increasing responsibility awaited Mike O'Brien and he 
continued to meet the challenges placed before him. Colonel O'Brien 
culminated his service as the Deputy Chief of Legislative Liaison for 
the U.S. Army. He has been exceptionally effective in communicating the 
Army leadership's message to Congress through countless phone calls, 
meetings, and trips.
  Mike O'Brien is the quintessential leader. He truly embodies those 
traits of professionalism, integrity, and dependability our Nation has 
come to expect from its Army officers. When he was needed, he was 
there. He has served our Nation well, and our heartfelt appreciation 
and best wishes for continued success go with him as he prepares for 
his next endeavor.

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