Col. Daniel D. Mitchell is currently the U.S. Army Garrison Rock Island Arsenal Commanding Officer having assumed command on July 14, 2022.
Mitchell is a graduate of the United States Military Academy West Point and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering and a Master's Degree in Defense Analysis and Strategic Studies. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army War College; Ranger School; Special Forces Qualification Course; Airborne School; Jumpmaster Course; Air Assault School; Combat Diver Qualification Course; and Combat Diver Supervisor Course.
After graduating from the United States Military Academy in 1999, Mitchell began his career as an infantryman with 101st Airborne (Air Assault). He also served in various positions with 2nd Ranger Battalion and 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division. He deployed to the Kingdom of Jordan for Operation Early Victor during this time.
After completing the Special Forces Qualification Course, Mitchell was assigned to 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) where he commanded at the detachment and company levels, and served in various other staff positions. He deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), and in support of the CENTCOM Theater Security Cooperation Plan in Lebanon.
Mitchell served as a Joint Operations Officer in the Joint Staff Deputy Directorate for Special Operations and Counterterrorism (DDSO) prior to commanding the U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion in Raleigh, North Carolina. Upon successful completion of command, he was reassigned to U.S. Army Special Operations Command, where he served as the USASOC Force Modernization Center operations chief.
His awards and decorations include: Bronze Star Medal (1 OLC), Defense Meritorious Service Medal (1 OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (2 OLC), Army Commendation Medal (1 OLC), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation (1 OLC), Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, Special Operations Dive Supervisor Badge, the Joint Chief of Staff Badge, and the Basic Recruiter Badge.