Deputy Commander/Chief of Staff
COL Michael J. Trotter
Colonel Michael J. Trotter was born in Brooklyn, New York City and grew up in Bethpage, New York. After attending the US Military Academy Preparatory School (USMAPS), Michael graduated from the US Military Academy (West Point) in 1995. Upon graduation from the Infantry Officer Basic Course and Ranger School, COL Trotter first served with the 1st Cavalry Division (First Team) as a Rifle Platoon Leader, Rifle Company Executive Officer, and Headquarters and Headquarters Company Executive Officer in the 2nd BN, 7th Cavalry Regiment (Garry Owen). This tour also included a deployment to Kuwait as part of Intrinsic Action.
Upon completion of the Infantry Officer Advanced Course (IOAC), COL Trotter was assigned to the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR) (1st Brigade), 82D Airborne Division where he served as the 1st Brigade Adjutant and then Company Commander in 3rd Battalion, 504th PIR. After 24 months in command in 3-504th PIR, COL Trotter was then selected to command a second Rifle Company in the 3rd US Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard). During COL Trotter's 24-month command of the 3rd US Infantry Regiment, The Old Guard experienced its first deployment since Vietnam to the Horn of Africa. After successful completion of company command in The Old Guard, COL Trotter was then selected to serve as the Aide de Camp to the Commanding General of the Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region (JFHQ-NCR) / Military District of Washington (MDW).
After completing staff college at Fort Leavenworth, COL Trotter returned to the 82D ABN DIV in 2007 where he served in several assignments including the 82D Airborne Division CJ-5 Assessments Chief, Division Chief of Operations, the 508th PIR (4th BCT) Chief of Operations, 1st Battalion, 508th PIR Operations Officer, Executive Officer, and completing his tour while serving as the Brigade Operations Officer. In 2010, COL Trotter then returned to Washington, DC where he served as a Joint/Interagency Planner (J35) while assigned to the Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region (JFHQ-NCR) where he would be the lead military planner for consequence management for the 57th Presidential Inauguration.
COL Trotter's recent assignments include Director, Maneuver Test Directorate (MTD at USAOTC) for 12 months, serving as the Program Manager at OPM-SANG KSA(2022-2024), Brigade Command of the 3rd Security Force Assistance Brigade (3SFAB)(2020-2022) HQd in Fort Hood, TX and aligned to the CENTCOM AoR and 25 months as the brigade commander of the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team/Armored Brigade Combat Team at Fort Bliss, Texas (2018-2020). Battalion command of 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment (2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team) at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM, WA). During his 25 months in command, COL Trotter deployed to the National Training Center (NTC) for a Decisive Action training rotation and to both Indonesia and Japan as part of Pacific Pathways in support of US Army Pacific Command (USARPAC). After battalion command, COL Trotter was selected to serve as the Combined/Joint-CJ 3 Operations Officer in support of the Train Advise Assist Command-South (TAAC-S) Kandahar, Afghanistan supporting both RESOLUTE SUPPORT (RS) and OPERATION FREEDOM'S SENTINEL (OFS). Upon serving as the J3 and redeploying from Afghanistan in 2016, COL Trotter attended the Marine Corps University (Marine Corps War College) at Quantico, VA. Upon graduation from the Marine Corps War College, COL Trotter served as the Force Management Chief for the JFHQ-NCR / MDW in Washington, DC.
COL Trotter has numerous combat deployments in support of Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) and his awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit (2 OLCs), the Bronze Star (3 OLCs), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (4 OLCs), the Joint Service Commendation Medal (OLC), the Navy Achievement Medal, NATO medal, the Master Combat Infantryman Badge (MCIB), Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB), Expert Infantryman Badge (EIB), Senior Parachutist Badge, German Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and the Ranger Tab. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Geography and Systems Engineering from West Point and a Masters of Strategic Studies from the Marine Corps University (Marine Corps War College).
BACKGROUND
Col. Michael J. Trotter assumed the responsibilities as Deputy Commander / Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army Operational Test Command on September 2nd, 2025.
Education:
US Military Academy (West Point)
Staff College at Fort Leavenworth
