Colonel Mike Caldwell to Command Oregon Defense Force

Colonel Caldwell will Also Receive a Promotion to the Rank of Brigadier General

Colonel Mike Caldwell, shown standing behind Governor Ted Kulongoski, will become the Commander of the Oregon State Defense Force Photo Courtesy: State of Oregon

(Salem) - Major General Raymond Rees, The Adjutant General of Oregon, has announced that Colonel Mike Caldwell will become the Commander of the Oregon State Defense Force and promoted to Brigadier General on March 10th.

In February, Colonel Caldwell completed 35 years of service in the Oregon National Guard. Starting as a Private in his home town of La Grande, Colonel Caldwell rose through the ranks in eastern Oregon and commanded the 3rd Battalion 116th Cavalry from 1988 to 1992. He was then assigned to a subsequent command in the 41st Infantry Brigade followed by several assignments at the Military Department, the Headquarters of the Oregon National Guard.

In addition to serving as commander of the Oregon State Defense Force he will continue as the Deputy Director of the Oregon Military Department.

General Rees said, "Colonel Caldwell has been an essential element within the Oregon Guard over his entire career. His leadership skills and political savvy have been key in our efforts to best serve the people of Oregon and help us prepare and execute the missions we have undertaken here at home and abroad."

Colonel Caldwell said. "It is an honor to have had the privilege to serve my community, my state and the nation over the past 35 years. I have been honored to serve with many great soldiers and airmen in the Oregon Guard. I look forward to continuing to serve my state leading the Oregon State Defense Force and its superb volunteers."

Colonel Caldwell was born in La Grande where he attended elementary and High School, graduating in 1969.

He went on to graduate from Eastern Oregon University with a Bachelors Degree in Community Service.

He also was elected to the La Grande City Council in 1978 and was elected to the Union County Court in 1980, being re-elected in 1984.

He served as a Union County Commissioner until 1988 when he resigned to assume a position in the Oregon Military Department in Salem.

For information about the Oregon State Defense Force visit their Home Page at http://www.mil.state.or.us/SDF/index.html