Colonel (R) Mike Standish
COL (R)Michael (Mike) L. Standish grew up near Gig Harbor, WA where he was active in competitive swimming, water polo, lifeguarding, and outdoor activities. In 1991 he graduated from Pacific Lutheran University in Parkland, Washington with a BS degree in Biology continuing his All-American competitive swimming career, bumming around with friends, lifeguarding, and dabbling in genetic taxonomy with one of his professors. His later academic achievements include a MS in Environmental Management from Webster University in 2002 and MS in Infrastructure Planning and Management in 2021.
His military service began in 1988 with his enlistment as a Patient Administration Specialist at the 50th General Hospital later followed by commissioning as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Chemical Corps from the PLU ROTC program. His military education includes the Chemical Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Command and General Staff College (CGSC), Joint Planner, Recruiting Commander, Defense Support to Civil Authorities, Nuclear Targeting, Instructor, Security Force Assistance, and Technical Escort courses.
Mike’s varied assignments during his 26-year active-duty career include postings as a Chemical Officer in various Maneuver, Maneuver Support, and Logistics units from Company to Theater level. His leadership positions include assignment as a Decontamination & Mechanized Smoke Platoon Leader in the 25th CBRN Company, Budingen, GE; HHC Commander of the 2nd Chemical Battalion, Fort Cavasos, TX; and commander of the Columbia Recruiting Battalion in Columbia, SC. Mike is an experienced instructor and trainer having served as a Small Group Leader for the Chemical Captain's Career Course, Tactics Instructor & Small Group Advisor at CGSC, and as a training advisor to the Royal Saudi Land Forces Chemical School in Saudi Arabia. His last assignments in the military included service as the Deputy Team Chief and Emergency Management/CBRNE Vulnerability Assessment Officer for the Joint Staff, Deputy Team Chief and the Stability Transition Team Advisor to the Iraqi 4th Border Enforcement Regiment, Battalion Command, and his final duty assignment as the Chief of CBRNE, United States Army Central. Mike retired as a Colonel from active duty in January 2018 after a 27-year career in the Army.
His military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (1OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (6 OLC), Army Commendation Medal (1OLC), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Bronze Award of the Combat Service Identification Badge-4th Infantry Division, Recruiter Badge, German Military Efficiency Badge, and Air Assault Wings.
Following his retirement, Mike went on a hiking adventure—warming up with 300 miles on the Arizona Trail, he then earned his trail name of “Ruffles” and completed a 2600-mile walk in the woods on the Pacific Crest Trail finishing in August 2018. In early 2019, he accepted a position as a contract Deputy Program Manager and Mission Assurance Analyst and, for a short period, as Data Analytics Program Manager for the United States European Command. In May 2023, he transitioned to the Civil Service as the Deputy G3 (GS-15) for the 20th CBRNE Command.