Class

Our classmate Michael Albert Ryan (DBS '75) was promoted to Brigadier General on November 3 this year in Wiesbaden, Germany (he's stationed there since June 2005).

Mike entered P.5 with us, and left DBS after finishing Form 4. He joined the U.S. Army's Tank Corps after finishing university, and has now been with the Army for about 25 years already. He's been mostly overseas, having been posted in Germany, Bosnia, Kosovo and the Middle East (twice in Iraq after Saddam's capture).  Next week, he'll be going to Afghanistan.

Here's what Mike said about his education at DBS:- "I am absolutely convinced my time at DBS and in HK prepared me for success in studies, discipline, teamwork and cameraderie with diverse friends and so on, which saw me in good stead for my 5 tours in Germany, and when I was on a NATO mission in Bosnia in the 90's, negotiating and working with Russians, Romanians, Bulgarians, Serbs, Iraqis, Koreans and now soon-to-be working for a British 3-star General in Afghanistan."

75-ers are very proud to have studied under one roof with Mike, who very possibly is the first ever U.S. general that DBS has ever produced!!!

Story and Photos by Spc. Andrew Orillion, 1st Armored Division Public Affairs

Photo by Sgt. Samuel Smith, 1st Armored Division Public Affairs November 3, 2006

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer once boasted that it had more stars than in the heavens. The 1st Armored Division may give MGM a run for its money, having just added another star to its roster, the newly pinned Brig. Gen. Michael A. Ryan, assistant division commander (Maneuver). Ryan was promoted to the rank of brigadier general during a ceremony at Wiesbaden Army Airfield Nov. 3.

The ceremony was presided over by Maj. Gen. Fred D. Robinson Jr., division commander. Robinson spoke of his firm belief in the abilities of the 1st AD's newest brigadier general.

"Only one out of approximately 300 officers in any year group and 2% of all colonels will ever rise to the rank of general officer," Robinson said. "That speaks volumes about the quality of the officer himself and it sees even more about the efforts of the leaders and Soldiers who have molded him along the way."

Robinson continued, by mentioning a few of Ryan's many accomplishments as ADCM. Ryan has held this position since July 2005.

"As ADCM, Ryan concentrated his efforts on reconstituting, training and building leaders throughout the division, making sure that they are all prepared for battle in this global war on terror,"

Robinson said. "I have never met an officer with greater dogged determination to insure the readiness of units." Robinson concluded his remarks by reaffirming his faith in the
leadership abilities of his newest one star. "I know of no officer more deserving of this than you, there is no doubt that you will continue to make a difference for every Soldier in this division," Robinson said.

After being officially pinned by Robinson, and being given his new kevlar and pistol belt, Ryan took the podium and spoke about his new rank and what it meant to him.

"Promotions are thought by some to be a very personal recognition which then triggers a very long and torturous monologue using every permutation of the personal pronoun and an excruciating trip down memory lane," Ryan said. "We are going to avoid some of this."

Ryan's self-effacing sense of humor eventually gave way when he spoke about the responsibilities that come with any promotion.

"With every promotion there is a greater opportunity to train and care for our Soldiers, to fight bureaucracy and apply common sense to challenges," Ryan said. "If you accept a promotion with the intent of doing everything in your power to make a positive impact on the unit and its Soldiers, then I suspect that you will never be disappointed."

Ryan concluded his speech by thanking God, his family and all the troopers he served with over the years. He also offered a last bit of reflection on a career spent in service to his country.