Brigadier General Michael Simmering

Brigadier General Michael Simmering currently serves as the United States Armor School Commandant and the Chief of Armor. He most recently served as the Deputy Commanding General – Operations for 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss, Texas from 2022-2023. In 1993, BG Simmering earned his commission as an Armor Officer from the United States Military Academy. From 1994 to 1997, he served as a platoon leader, executive officer and assistant S-3 with 1st Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment at Fort Bliss, Texas and Fort Carson, Colorado. Following the Armor Officer Advanced Course in 1998, he served in III Corps as an Operations Officer, Assistant S-3, and Company Commander with 1st Battalion, 67th Armor, 2nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division. He then served as an Observer/Controller at the Combat Maneuver Training Center in Hohenfels, Germany from 2001-2003. In 2004, BG Simmering returned to Fort Carson where he served as the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regimental Plans Officer and the 2nd Squadron Operations Officer, deploying to Tal Afar District of Ninewah Province, Iraq. In 2007, BG Simmering continued service as a Regimental S-3 and Regimental Executive Officer, deploying with the Regiment to Mosul, Iraq. In 2008, he served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for the 4th Infantry Division. From 2009-2012, he commanded the 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, deploying to Khandahar Province, Afghanistan. Later, he assumed duties as the Division G-3, 4th Infantry Division. Following Senior Service College, he served as a Deputy Command Center Director for United States Northern Command. BG Simmering then served as the Brigade Commander for 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Benning, Georgia and the Deputy Commander/Chief of Staff for the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk. From 2017 to 2019, he served as the Brigade Commander for 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division. Following Brigade Command, BG Simmering served as the Commander for Operations Group at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California from 2019-2021. He subsequently served as the Deputy Commanding Officer (Support) from 2021-2022 for 1st Armored Division. BG Simmering’s military education includes the Armor Officer Basic Course, Armor Officer Advanced Course, Command and General Staff College, and the Joint Advanced Warfighting School, National Defense University. His civilian education includes a bachelor’s degree in Engineering Management from the United States Military Academy as well as Master’s degrees from Kansas State University and the National Defense University. BG Simmering’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit (3OLC), Bronze Star (1 OLC), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Army Meritorious Service Medal (4 OLC), Army Commendation Medal (4 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (1 OLC), the Parachutist’s Badge, Air Assault Badge, and the Combat Action Badge.