United States Army, Martin J. Schmidt Colonel (Retired)

Colonel (R.) Schmidt has had an illustrious career in the United States Army since his commission as a distinguished military graduate from The Ohio State University’s Army ROTC program in 1995. His extensive service in various command and staff assignments has equipped him with exceptional leadership skills and expertise in military operations.

Throughout his career, Col (R.) Schmidt held numerous Command positions, to include a two-time select Brigade Commander: 5th AR Brigade Commander, Commander of the Afghan National Army Special Operations Command – Special Operations Advisory Group, Special Operations Task Force South (Afghanistan) Commander, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Battalion Commander, Company Commander and Operational Detachment Commander. He also served as the Director of Plans and Policy at the United States Special Operations Command, Director of Innovation at the United States Special Operations Command, ACoS-G8 at the U.S. Army Special Forces Command, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Group Executive Officer and Group Operations Officer, to name a few.

Col (R).  Schmidt’s overseas assignments include the Republic of Korea, AOB Colombia, AOB Honduras, Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Belize, Estonia, Ukraine, and other location in the USSOUTHCOM, USEUCOM and USPACOM’s AORs.  He has five Combat Tours in Afghanistan most notably: Operational Detachment Alpha Team Leader, Special Operations Task Force-South Commander, Special Operations Advisory Group Commander, with general focus on southern and eastern Afghanistan.

Col (R).  Schmidt is a graduate of the Infantry Officer Basic Course; Infantry Captains Career Course; Combined Arms and Services Staff School; Airborne School; Air Assault School; Pathfinder School; Military Free Fall Parachutist Course; Infantry Mortar Leader Course; Ranger School; Special Forces Qualification Course; SERE School; and Jumpmaster School. He is a graduate of the Australian Command and Staff Course and U.S. National War College. He has earned master’s degrees in computer informational science, defense studies, and strategic studies.

Col (R).  Schmidt’s awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Joint Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Pathfinder Badge, and Military Free Fall Badge. He has also been awarded the Colombian Military Free Fall Badge and British and Guatemalan Parachutist Badges.