A native of Edina, Missouri, Colonel Michael Stansberry received a commission as a second lieutenant through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Program following his graduation from the University of Missouri-Columbia in May 2001.
Colonel Stansberry served in command as a Rifle Platoon Commander, Weapons Platoon Commander, and Combined Anti-Armor Platoon Commander, 1st Battalion, 3d Marines; the Commanding Officer, Headquarters and Service Company, 2d Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion; the Commanding Officer, Company E, 2d Battalion, 6th Marines; the Commanding Officer, Recruiting Station Des Moines, 9th Marine Corps District; and the Commanding Officer, 2d Battalion, 6th Marines.
Colonel Stansberry’s staff assignments include tours as the Operations Officer and Executive Officer, Region 6, Marine Corps Embassy Security Group; the Operations Officer, 2d Battalion, 6th Marines; the Executive Officer, 3d Battalion, 6th Marines, the Assistant Chief of Staff G-10 (Force Resilience Directorate), 2d Marine Division; and the Director, Infantry Officers Course. Colonel Stansberry also completed a joint tour as a Senior Plans Advisor, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Plans and Posture, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy.
Colonel Stansberry deployed with Company B, 1st Battalion, 3d Marines in support of the Global War on Terrorism; with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom; with 2d Battalion, 6th Marines in support of Operation Enduring Freedom; with the 24th MEU in support of the Global War on Terrorism, and with 2d Battalion, 6th Marines as part of Marine Rotational Force Europe.
Colonel Stansberry holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, a Master of Military Art and Science in Homeland Security Studies, and a Master of Science in National Security Strategy. His formal military education includes The Basic School, Infantry Officers Course, Expeditionary Warfare School, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and National War College.