COL Michael S. Shrout was born and raised in Renton, Wash. He was commissioned as an infantry officer on May, 31 1990 upon graduation from the United States Military Academy. After attending the Infantry Officer Basic Course, he was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, Ky. While assigned to the 101st Airborne, Shrout served as a rifle platoon leader, rifle company executive officer, battalion air operations officer, and brigade air operations officer. He attended the Infantry Officer Advance Course in 1995. He was then assigned to the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, N. Y., from October 1995 to July 1999. He served as a brigade air operations officer, Commander of Charlie Company 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, Commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Brigade, and as the Aide de Camp to the commanding general.

In 1999 Shrout attended advanced civil schooling as part of the G3 Fellowship and subsequently served as a strategic plans officer in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans, Headquarters, Department of the Army at the Pentagon. Shrout attended the Command and General Staff Officer’s Course at Fort Leavenworth, Kan in 2001. Upon graduation, he was assigned to the 1st Armored Division where he served as the battalion executive officer for 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry from June 2002 to May 2003. From May 2003 to August 2004, Shrout served as the brigade operations officer for 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division which included 15 months of combat in Operation Iraqi Freedom. In August 2004, Shrout reported to 1AD HQ where he served as the Deputy G3 until May 2005. Shrout then reported to the United States Military Academy where he served as an instructor of Military and Organizational Leadership.

Shrout commanded 2nd Battalion, 6th Infantry at Smith Barracks, Baumholder, Germany, from June 2007 to July 2009. 2nd Battalion, 6th Infantry was part of Task Force Gator which deployed to Iraq in April 2008 and concentrated on counterinsurgency operations in the rural districts southeast of Baghdad for 15 months. Following battalion command, Shrout served as an instructor at the Battalion Commanders’ Tactical Development Program at the School for Command Preparation and as a seminar leader in the School for Advanced Military Studies at Fort Leavenworth.

Shrout is a graduate of the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Combined Arms Services Staff School, Command and General Staff Officer Course, and the Advanced Operational Art Studies Fellowship as his Senior Service College experience. He is also a graduate of the Airborne School, Air Assault School, Pathfinder School, Jungle Warfare School and Ranger School. His awards and decorations include: the Bronze Star (2 OLC); Meritorious Service Medal (3 OLC); Army Commendation Medal with Valor Device; Army Commendation Medal (2 OLC); Army Achievement Medal (2 OLC); National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star; Iraq Campaign Medal with two bronze stars; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Overseas Service Ribbon; Army Service Ribbon; Presidential Unit Citation; Meritorious Unit Commendation; Army Superior Unit Award; Combat Infantryman’s Badge; Expert Infantryman’s Badge; Parachutist’s Badge; Pathfinder Badge, Air Assault Badge; the Army Staff Identification Badge, and the Ranger Tab.

Shrout holds a Bachelor of Sciences Degree in Military History from the United States Military Academy(1990), a Master of Public Administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University (2000) and a Master of Military Art and Science from the School of Advanced Military Studies, Command and General Staff College (2011).