Lt. Col. Michael Dargavell enlisted in the Kentucky Army National Guard in 2000 as a combat engineer and later commissioned in 2004 as an aviation officer and distinguished military graduate from Reserve Officers’ Training Corps at Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, Ky.
He served in the following leadership and staff positions: Professor of Military Science for the University of Louisville in Louisville, Ky; brigade operations officer for the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas; battalion operations officer for 1-227th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion at Fort Hood, Texas and Operation Atlantic Resolve in Europe; rotating military officer within the Department of Physical Education at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, N.Y; commander Headquarters Headquarters Troop 6-17th Cavalry Squadron, Fort Wainwright, Alaska; commander Bravo Troop 6-17th Cavalry Squadron, Iraq and Fort Wainwright, Alaska; 3-101st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion assistant operation officer, Afghanistan; troop executive officer and platoon leader for Bravo Troop 7-17th Cavalry Regiment, Fort Campbell, Ky.
His military education includes resident Command and General Staff College (ILE); AH-64D/E Apache Helicopter Qualification Course; Army Cold Weather Leaders Course; Army Aviation Captain’s Career Course, Survive Escape Resist Evade (SERE) High Risk, Combatives Level I; OH58D Kiowa Warrior Helicopter Qualification Course; Aviation Officer Basic Course; Pathfinder, Air Assault and Airborne School.
He holds the following degrees: master’s degree in educational kinesiology from the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va. and a bachelors degree in criminal justice and a minor in military science from Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, Ky.
He has served on tours in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation New Dawn, and Operation Atlantic Resolve. His military awards and decorations include the following: Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medals, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Overseas Service Medal, International Security Assistance Forces NATO Medal, Army Superior Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Citation, Combat Action Badge, Senior Aviator Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Air Assault Badge, Parachutist Badge, Army Basic Instructor Badge and the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge – Gold.