MICHAEL S. LABBE

Post Service Officer

Michael S. Labbe entered the United States Army on April 15, 1974, and completed Basic Combat Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, in July 1974. While home on leave following basic training, he married his high school sweetheart before departing in accordance with Department of the Army orders for his first overseas assignment.

During his first assignment in Germany with the 3rd Armored Division, Michael served as a generator mechanic, beginning what would become a long career in Army maintenance and logistics. In 1977, after completing his initial three-year enlistment, he was honorably discharged from active duty.

After only 62 days as a civilian, Michael realized that the Army was where he wanted to be and reenlisted. He was assigned to Fort Lewis, Washington, where he again served as a generator mechanic with an air defense unit assigned to the 9th Infantry Division.

After approximately 10 months at Fort Lewis, Michael volunteered to return to Germany and was subsequently assigned to the 32nd Army Air Defense Command in West Germany.

Michael continued to advance rapidly through the enlisted ranks and was promoted to Staff Sergeant after approximately five years of active-duty military service. He was later reassigned to a Nike Hercules air defense unit in West Germany. During this period, his leadership ability and military performance resulted in his selection to attend Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia.

After successfully completing Officer Candidate School, Michael was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army Ordnance Corps. His first assignment as a commissioned officer was with the 27th Maintenance Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division, at Fort Hood, Texas.

Michael was subsequently selected to command a Heavy Maintenance Direct Support Company with the 2nd Armored Division at Fort Hood. As a company commander, he was responsible for soldiers, equipment, maintenance operations, readiness, training, and the successful accomplishment of his unit's mission.

Following completion of a successful company-level command, Michael was assigned to Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, home of the U.S. Army Ordnance Center and School. There, he served in several important positions, including Army doctrine writer, Army regulation writer, and military instructor. In these roles, he helped develop Army maintenance doctrine and regulations while instructing enlisted soldiers serving in maintenance-related military occupational specialties.

Michael later received orders returning him to Fort Hood, Texas, where he was assigned to the 4th Materiel Management Center, 13th Corps Support Command (13th COSCOM). With the beginning of Operation Desert Shield and subsequently Operation Desert Storm, Michael deployed with his unit to Southwest Asia. He spent approximately nine months serving in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, supporting U.S. and coalition military operations during the Persian Gulf War.

Following his return from Southwest Asia, Michael was reassigned to Aberdeen Proving Ground, where he completed the remainder of his Army career. His final assignment included serving as a Department Chief in the Wheeled Vehicle Department of the U.S. Army Ordnance Center and School.

Michael retired from the United States Army after 20 years of active-duty service, having served his country as both an enlisted soldier and commissioned officer.

Today, Michael continues the tradition of veterans helping veterans through his service as Post Service Officer for VFW Post 5311 in Christiansburg, Virginia. Drawing upon decades of military experience and his understanding of the challenges veterans face after leaving military service, he works to help fellow veterans obtain the benefits, recognition, and assistance they have earned through their service to the nation.