New commander takes the reigns of Army Reserve Cyber Operations Group

Photo By Maj. Malisa Hamper | U.S. Army Reserve Col. Michael D. Smith assumed command of the Army Reserve Cyber Operations Group in a change of command ceremony Sept. 19, 2015, at the Army Research Laboratory in Adelphi, Md.  

ATLANTA, GA, UNITED STATES

09.19.2015

Courtesy Story

335th Signal Command (Theater)

ATLANTA - U.S. Army Reserve Col. Michael D. Smith assumed command of the Army Reserve Cyber Operations Group in a change of command ceremony Sept. 19, 2015, at the Army Research Laboratory in Adelphi, Maryland.

Smith replaces Col. Mark C. DiTrolio, who served as ARCOG commander from March 3, 2012 to September 19, 2015. DiTrolio will serve as a special projects officer until his retirement next
year.

In his remarks, DiTrolio thanked his family for their sacrifices during his command and commended his soldiers for improving the ability of active duty and reserve component cyber units to work together.

"One of the things I always tell (people about my job as commander) is that I get resources for the soldiers and then try to get out of the way while you all go do great things,” DiTrolio said. “I also tell them that I am honored and humbled to work with so many smart and knowledgeable soldiers who I learn something from every day.”

During the ceremony, Maj. Gen. Daniel L. York, the commanding general of the 76th Operational Response Command, headquartered in Salt Lake City, thanked DiTrolio for his hard work, dedication and leadership as the ARCOG commander.

Smith graduated from the University of Delaware with a bachelor’s degree in international relations and history. Upon graduation, he was commissioned in the U.S. Army in 1988. He subsequently earned a Master’s of Science degree in information technology in 1995, a Master’s of Business Administration in 2002, and a Master’s of Strategic Studies in July 2013 from the Army War College.

Smith has served in a variety of assignments. He served a Logistics Corps officer and a Signal Corps Information Systems Management AOC Functional Area 53A officer; as the Commander, Executive Officer, and Chief of the Computer Network Defense of the National Capital Region Information Operations Command; and as the Deputy G6 and Chief Information Systems Division (ISD) 316th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) OIF 07-09.

His assignment highlights also include: faculty instructor at the U.S. Army War College Department of Distance Education, commander NCRIOC, executive ffficer NCRIOC, deputy director of information management 5115th Theater Command Support Unit, headquarters commandant 5115th Garrison Support Unit, and operations officer in the 5115th GSU.

Smith’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (4 Awards), Army Achievement Medal (2 Awards), Reserve Components Achievement Medal (7 Awards), National Defense Service Medal (2 Awards), Iraq Campaign Medal and the Global War On Terrorism Service Medal.

“I am blessed to continue to build upon the strong foundation established by Mark (DiTrolio),” Smith said. “We continue to transition to the new Cyber Protection Team organization structure, grow the Brigade size, train to the new and evolving U.S. Cyber Command doctrine, and equip to support the Defensive Cyber Operations mission and those additional missions assigned to us."

Smith also thanked his wife, Valerie, and his daughters, Olivia, Jacqueline, Caroline and Katherine. He also thanked his colleagues from Battelle, the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology, and the Department of State, for their friendship and support.

• Date Taken: 09.19.2015
• Date Posted: 11.10.2015 14:41
• Story ID: 181602
• Location: ATLANTA, GA, US
• Hometown: ADELPHI, MD, US