LATHAM, NY (06/21/2013)(readMedia)-- New York Army National Guard Lt. Col. Michael Murphy, an East Greenbush resident and veteran of the War in Iraq, has been selected to attend the prestigious U.S. Army War College as a resident student.
Murphy, a full-time member of the National Guard, has recently finished a tour as commander of the 27th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, which served in Kuwait during 2012.
The 27th Brigade Special Troops Battalion is comprised of specialist units; combat engineers, military police, signal Soldiers, military intelligence Soldiers and other specialists which support the combat battalions of the 27th Brigade Combat Team.
The Army War College, located at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, is the senior educational institution in the Army. Approximately 300 officers attend the 10 month-long residence course annually and officers who attend are carefully selected by a board for their future potential as Army leaders.
Graduates of the War College are awarded a masters degree in Strategic Studies.
Murphy, is a 1991 graduate of Siena College where he majored in political science. He was commissioned as a lieutenant in the Field Artillery in 1992. He has served as a platoon leader, company commander, battalion operations officer, and at the brigade and division staff level.
During his military career he has participated in overseas exercises in Iceland, Great Britain, and Japan. He served as operations officer of the 1st Battalion 69th Infantry in Iraq in 2004/2005 and commanded the 27th Brigade Special Troops Battalion in Kuwait in 2012.
Murphy is a graduate of the Armor Officer Basic, Infantry Officer Advanced, Engineer Officer Advanced courses and the US Army Command and General Staff College for Intermediate Learning Education (ILE
His awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Coast Guard Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Ribbon, Humanitarian Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, Armed Forces Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Iraq Campaign Medal.
Murphy has two children, a daughter Ellen, 12; and son Dennis, 10.