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Colonel Christopher J. Michelsen Commanding Officer Blount Island Command and Marine Corps Support Facility – Blount Island

Colonel Michelsen, from Louisville, Kentucky was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in January 1989 upon receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Geography from Eastern Kentucky University.

In May 1990, after completing The Basic School and the Logistics Officers Course, Second Lieutenant Michelsen was assigned to 3d Reconnaissance Battalion, 3d Marine Division, Okinawa, Japan, where he served as Commanding Officer, Headquarters and Service Company, Logistics Officer, Assistant Logistics Officer, and Maintenance Management Officer.

In May 1993, Captain Michelsen was assigned to Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, where he served as Commanding Officer, Support Company and Logistics Officer.

In December 1994, Captain Michelsen executed permanent change of assignment orders to 1st Force Reconnaissance Company, 1st Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Intelligence Group where he served as Logistics Officer.

In May 1996, Captain Michelsen was transferred to 9th Communications Battalion, 1st Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Intelligence Group where he served as Logistics Officer. During this tour Captain Michelsen was selected to attend the Special Education Program.

From May 1997 to November 1999 Major Michelsen attended the Naval Postgraduate School. Upon completion of his studies he received a Master of Science in Information Technology Management. His thesis was titled “Department of the Navy Implementation of Department of Defense Public Key Infrastructure.”

In November 1999, Major Michelsen was transferred to Marine Corps Systems Command where he served as Project Officer, Defense Message System. During this tour he received Level III certification in Program Management and assignment as an Acquisition Management Officer.

In November 2002, Major Michelsen was transferred to Marine Wing Support Squadron 371, Marine Wing Support Group 37, 3d Marine Aircraft Wing where he served as Operations Officer and Executive Officer.

From February – October 2003, he was deployed in support of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. During this tour Major Michelsen was selected for Lieutenant Colonel.

In May 2004, Lieutenant Colonel Michelsen was transferred to Expeditionary Policies Branch, Operations Division, Plans, Polices, and Operations Department, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps where he served as Section Head, POE-60 (Prepositioning Programs). During this tour LtCol Michelsen was slated for command of Marine Corps Detachment Fort Lee, Virginia.

In July 2006, Lieutenant Colonel Michelsen assumed command of Marine Corps Detachment Fort Lee, VA, Training Command, Training and Education Command, Marine Corps Combat Development Command, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. LtCol Michelsen relinquished command in July 2008.

In July 2008, Lieutenant Colonel Michelsen was transferred to Logistics Support Resources Branch, Logistics Support Division, Installations and Logistics Department, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. Lieutenant Colonel Michelsen was the Chair, Sustaining Program Evaluation Board and advocated for the department’s equities in the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution System (PPBES). During this tour Lieutenant Colonel Michelsen was selected for Colonel.

In June 2009, Colonel Michelsen was transferred to 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Forces Pacific where he served as Assistant Chief of Staff G-4 and Chief of Staff. During this tour Colonel Michelsen was slated for command of Blount Island Command, Jacksonville, Florida.

In July 2011, Colonel Michelsen assumed command of Blount Island Command, Marine Corps Logistics Command and Marine Corps Support Facility – Blount Island, Marine Corps Installations - East. From February – present, he has been deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) as Commanding Officer, Marine Corps Logistics Command (Forward).

Colonel Michelsen’s personal decorations include Meritorious Service Medal with three gold stars, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with three gold stars, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and Combat Action Ribbon.