Colonel Michael S. Donovan

Michael S. Donovan joined the Army in 1984 where he was commissioned as an Engineer Lieutenant and later branch transferred into the Explosive Ordnance Disposal field in 1987. He served in numerous positions of increased trust throughout his career and contributed significantly to the advancement of national goals and accomplishment of the Ordnance mission.

From 1987 to 1991 then CPT Donovan served as the Commander, 55th Ordnance Detachment (EOD) which included a deployment for Operation Desert shield/Storm.

Upon a successful command tour he was reassigned to the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment as the Regimental Ammunition Officer where he led three NCO’s in completely turning around a struggling, underperforming section with his steadfast leadership and vast knowledge of the ammunition field.

In June 2003, then LTC Donovan joined the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) on a 1-year tour as a mobilized Army Reservist with the Joint Intelligence Task Force - Combating Terrorism (JITF-CT). Here he conducted national-level, all-source counterterrorism (CT) analysis of the tactics and weapons - including IEDs - employed by terrorist organizations throughout the world.

From 7 December 2003 through 13 March 2004, he was the officer in charge (OIC) of the Baghdad-based Combined Explosives Exploitation Cell (CEXC). CEXC provided analysis of the technical and forensic intelligence gleaned from recovered IEDs and bomb making equipment that is tailored for the warfighter, CEXC's products also fed into the intelligence cycle for use in national C-IED efforts, filling key knowledge gaps on the IED threat.

As OIC, COL Donovan led eight U.S. and UK military and law enforcement personnel while institutionalizing the nascent organization. He conveyed CEXC's value as he branded it to the staff of CJTF-7 and led the production of consequential C-IED products. He fostered an analytical process that resulted in the identification of 13 bomb makers in Iraq while also filling critical intelligence gaps.

After battalion command, COL Donovan fulfilled a strategic need of the Department of Chemistry and Life Science of the United States Military Academy (USMA). He developed and taught a junior-level elective on the chemistry of explosives which focused on the design, manufacture, and use of explosives, propellants, and pyrotechnic devices which enhance the cadets' ability to succeed in a complex operating environment.

COL Donovan’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal (1OLC), and numerous other lesser awards and decorations. COL Donovan retired from the Army on 1 July 2014 after 30 years of combined active and reserve duty.