Lieutenant Colonel Michael S. McDonald is the Commander, 351st Recruiting Squadron, Marietta Ga. He leads a squadron of 100 members responsible for the accessions of new Citizen Airmen to the Air Force Reserve Command. He advises wing leadership on manning requirements and recommends changes necessary to keep the wings at congressionally mandated levels while ensuring recruiters target culturally diverse, prior and non-prior service qualified prospects to effectively meet AFRC end-strength.
Lt. Col. McDonald graduated from Wayland Baptist University, Plainview, Texas with a Master of Arts in Human Resource Management. He was commissioned through ROTC Detachment 172 Valdosta State University, Valdosta, Ga. Lt. Col. McDonald has served in many facets in the United States Air Force to include being a Manpower Officer, Military Personnel Flight Chief, and Section Commander at Tyndall Air Force Base, Panama City, Fla., Military Personnel Flight Commander, Force Support Officer, Executive Officer at Maxwell AFB, Ala. and Robins AFB, Ga., and Chief Inspections Operations Branch, Chief, Innovative Readiness Training, and Deputy Chief, Military Personnel Division at Robins AFB, Ga.
EDUCATION
2000 Bachelors Science, Occupational Education, Wayland Baptist University, Plainview, Texas
2002 Masters of Arts, Human Resource Management, Wayland Baptist University, Plainview, Texas
2003 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2012 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2019 Air Command and Staff College
ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 2002 – November 2004, Manpower Officer, 325th Air Wing, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
2. November 2004 – July 2005, Chief Relocations and Employment, 325th Air Wing, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
3. July 2005 – September 2006, Section Commander, 325th Maintenance Squadron, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
4. October 2006 – February 2008, Services Officer, Services Headquarters, Randolph AFB, Texas
5. February 2008 – March 2009, Services Officer, 325th Mission Support Squadron, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
6. March 2009 – November 2013, Manpower and Personnel Flight Commander, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
7. November 2013 – February 2015, Executive Officer, 908th Mission Support Group, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
8. March 2015 – March 2016, Executive Officer, HQ AFRC Inspector General, Robins AFB, Ga.
9. March 2016 – March 2018, Chief Inspections Operations Branch, Robins AFB, Ga.
10. March 2018 – June 2020, Chief, Innovative Readiness Branch, Robins AFB, Ga.
11. June 2020 – September 2021 Deputy Chief, Military Personnel Division, Robins AFB, Ga.
12. September 2021- Current Commander, 351st Recruiting Squadron, Marietta, Ga.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
AF Outstanding Unit Award with four oak leaf clusters
AF Good Conduct Medal with two oak leaf clusters National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Humanitarian Service Medal
AF Longevity Service with four oak leaf clusters
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant June 2002
First Lieutenant June 2004
Captain June 2006
Major October 2013
Lieutenant Colonel September 2020
(Current as of October 2022)