LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Captain Michael A. Phillips, Major
Select upon the occasion of his retirement as Assistant Operations Offi-
cer of the 3D Marine Raider Support Battalion Marine Corps Forces,
Special Operations Command

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize those remarkable individuals who honorably and courageously
serve their country in order to protect the life and liberty of our
citizens, and whose military service, professional lives, and civic
endeavors serve to enhance the stature of this great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Captain
Michael A. Phillips, Major Select upon the occasion of his retirement as
Assistant Operations Officer of the 3D Marine Raider Support Battalion
Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command; and
WHEREAS, Captain Michael A. Phillips holds a Bachelor of Science
degree in Elementary Education and Special Education from the State
University of New York at Geneseo; additionally, he graduated from
Aviation Intelligence Officer Course, Marine Corps Martial Arts Instruc-
tor Course, Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course, MAGTF Intelligence
Officer Course, Special Activities Leaders Training Course, Expedition-
ary Warfare School non-resident, Special Operations Forces Intelligence
Leaders Training Course, Navy and Marine Corps Collections Management
Course, 11 Intelligence Squadron lSR Tactical Controller Course, and
Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape East School; and
WHEREAS, Following graduation from TBS, Captain Michael A. Phillips
attended Aviation Intelligence Officer Course at NAS Oceana in Dam Neck,
Virginia; after successfully graduating as an Aviation Intelligence
Officer, he received orders to Air Combat Intelligence (ACI) Branch,
G-2, 2d Marine Air Wing (MAW) and served as the Commanding General's
Current Intelligence Briefer and Analysis Section Officer in Charge
(OIC); and
WHEREAS, In July of 2007, Captain Michael A. Phillips was reassigned
to Military Transition Team (MITT) 0311, 3rd Battalion Quick Reaction
Force (QRF), 1st Iraqi Army Division as the Intelligence Advisor to the
3rd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 1st Iraqi Army; and
WHEREAS, Captain Michael A. Phillips was deployed with MITT 0311 to
Iraq from October of 2007 to October of 2008, operating in various
locations ranging from Ar Ramadi, Al Basra, Al Baquah and Al Fallujah in
support of Operation Iraqi Freedom; and
WHEREAS, Following his deployment, Captain Michael A. Phillips
returned to the ACI Branch, G-2, 2d MAW and served as the Assistant
Operations Officer for six months before returning to Al Asad, Iraq as
the Deputy AC/S G-2 for 2d MAW Forward from March of 2009 to August of
2009; and
WHEREAS, In September of the same year, Captain Michael A. Phillips
immediately reported to Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma, Arizona, and
successfully graduated from the Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course
(WTI) in November of 2009; and
WHEREAS, Once he returned back to ACI, G-2, Captain Michael A. Phil-
lips served as the Collections OIC and Training Officer before reporting
to MCAS Yuma as an augment instructor in April of 2010; upon completion,
he returned and checked into TBS in May of 2010 with the assignment in
the Command Section as a Warfighting Instructor and the Primary Package
Instructor for the Intelligence and Counterinsurgency (COIN); and
WHEREAS, In addition, Captain Michael A. Phillips served as the Staff
Platoon Commander (SPC) for Charlie Company BOC 3-11 for two months
before sustaining biceps and shoulder reconstructive surgery; thereaft-

er, he served as the SPC for Mike Company, Alpha Company BOC 1-12 as the
3rd Platoon Commander, and then immediately after, the Executive Officer
for Delta Company BOC 4-12; and
WHEREAS, Captain Michael A. Phillips wrapped up his tour at TBS as the
Executive Officer for the Command Section, Warfighting for the remainder
of time while recovering from surgery; from there, he successfully grad-
uated from MAGTF Intelligence Officer Course in August of 2013; and
WHEREAS, After graduation, Captain Michael A. Phillips reported to
Bravo Company, Marine Special Operations Command Support Battalion and
was quickly placed as a team leader for a Direct Support Team (DST)
643-2 and deployed to Special Operations Command Forward-Western Africa
(SOCFWD-WA); and
WHEREAS, During deployment, Captain Michael A. Phillips was hand
selected to serve as the Team Abuja Insert Team Leader, Intelligence and
ISR Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria for the presidentially
mandated mission Operation JUNIPER NIMBUS; and
WHEREAS, Upon return, Captain Michael A. Phillips was assigned as the
MSOST Kilo OIC and trained the team for the ITP Phase at which he was
identified as non-medically deployable and returned to serve as the
Operations Officer for 3D Marine Raider Support Battalion; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his illustrious military career, Captain Michael
A. Phillips earned the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Marine Corps
Commendation Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device and gold star in
lieu of second award, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and
Combat Action Ribbon; and
WHEREAS, Individuals who dedicate their lives to military service
merit the commendation and applause of all citizens for their commitment
to the preservation of American freedom; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Captain Michael A. Phillips, Major Select upon the occasion of
his retirement as Assistant Operations Officer of the 3D Marine Raider
Support Battalion Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Captain Michael A. Phillips, Major Select.