By Maj. Geoff Legler, Oklahoma National Guard Public Affairs OKLAHOMA CITY – Many great men throughout the ages have come from humble beginnings. Having to pull themselves up and exercise an extreme amount of personal fortitude in order to rise above the average man and reach their full potential. adidas xcs 6 femme One Oklahoman who can be counted among those who have charted their own destiny is Oklahoma Army National Guardsman Colonel, and Oklahoma Department of Public Safety Commissioner, Michael C. Womens Air Jordan 14 Thompson, who will be promoted to Brigadier General on November 25. Nike Air Max 180 Homme Thompson was born in Purcell, Oklahoma, in June 1963. His mother, Geraldine, though incredibly intelligent, worked as a modest housekeeper and instilled into her four children the importance of doing things right the first time. Thompson’s father had no influence in his life other than to serve as motivation for Thompson to chart a different path for his family to do all he could to be a good father and role model for his two sons. Inne Buty Adidas Thompson married young and considers his 30 year marriage to his wife Debbie one of his most important accomplishments. At an early age, Thompson learned to treat his fellow man as an equal, no matter a person’s occupation, race or gender. bns gold nike requin pas cher This is a lesson that Thompson learned well and still practices on a daily basis. Chaussures Asics In Thompson’s words, “we all count, or none of us do”. When Thompson was 14, he took a summer job as a janitor at the Purcell Multi-Purpose Center. While many of his friends were swimming in the pool or enjoying the summer, Thompson was keeping the Center clean. Although being a janitor was a humbling experience, Thompson came back to the same position the next two summers. New Balance 574 Donna
When Thompson was 17, he was accepted to the Upward Bound program at East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma. Nike Kyrie 1 The purpose of the program is to improve students’ academic skills and give them the motivation necessary for success in education beyond high school. Thompson enjoyed the program so much he returned the following summer. “Upward Bound is still a great program today,” said Thompson. new balance prix “It gives less fortunate kids a chance to prepare for college that they would not have otherwise.” In 1981, Thompson graduated from Purcell High School and attended summer school at East Central University before transferring to the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in the fall. air max 90 damskie panterka Thompson attended USAO until December of 1983, but did not complete his degree. In December of 1983, Thompson, who was 20, enlisted into the Oklahoma Army National Guard as a supply specialist. His early career was typical of that of most young Soldiers. New Balance 1500 homme Wisconsin Badgers Jerseys He attended his initial entry schools and then reported for drill each month. During this time, Thompson began his career in public safety as a prison guard with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections. Nike Air Jordan 6
In 1985, Thompson decided he wanted more from his military career and applied for admission into the Oklahoma Army National Guard’s Officer Candidate School (OCS). adidas gazelle homme blanche He was accepted and spent 14 months in the OCS program graduating on August 3, 1986. Upon graduation, Thompson was commissioned into the Infantry as an Army 2nd Lieutenant. Canotte Cleveland Cavaliers After completing the Army Infantry Officer Basic Course at Fort Benning, Georgia, Thompson was assigned as a platoon leader in the 2nd Battalion, 180th Infantry, in Oklahoma City. adidas gazelle femme rose Less than three and a half years later, in January of 1990, Thompson began his career in the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) when he entered the OHP Academy. After completing the academy, Thompson was assigned to Grady County, which happens to be where his wife, Debbie, grew up. As both a lieutenant and young captain in the Oklahoma Army National Guard, Thompson distinguished himself as an excellent Soldier and very competent leader. Asics Gel Lyte 3 Femme Noir De\’Anthony Thomas – Oregon Ducks In September of 1992, he was assigned to the Oklahoma National Guard’s State Headquarters as the aide-de-camp to Maj. Gen. Gary D. Maynard, the adjutant general for Oklahoma. Adidas Zx 700 Homme Although Thompson’s military career had been moving forward at a rapid pace, he had not completed his undergraduate degree. adidas stan smith uomo While speaking to Maj. Gen. Nike Air Max BW Femme Maynard one afternoon, Thompson was told, “You do a good job and you get along well with people, but if you don’t get your degree, your career will die on the vine. asics meskie do biegania You will leave [the guard] as a captain. Air Jordan 6 Retro So, if you are serious about your [military] career, you need to get serious about your education.” Thompson took these words to heart, with assistance from BG (ret) Tom Daniels, contacted Langston University and soon began work on a degree in criminal justice. Nike Air Max 2016 Dame “I just committed to it, and started [taking classes] at night and on weekends and during the summer,” said Thompson. VCU Rams Cheap Fjallraven Kanken No.2 After completing his Bachelors degree, Thompson went on to earn a Masters in Applied Science from Oklahoma State University and a Masters in Strategic Studies from the Army War College. nike air max 1 87 essential After a few years as a Trooper with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Thompson was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant and moved to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol Academy where he became the commandant of patrol schools. After two years at the Academy, Thompson was promoted to 1st Lieutenant and given greater responsibilities at the OHP Academy. As a 1st Lieutenant, he started to incorporate Army training techniques into some of the courses at the Academy. Nike Air Max 90 Femme Fleur Many of his ideas evolved into new courses, including one for aspiring OHP Second Lieutenants, which was modeled after the Army’s Captains Career Course. Nike Air Max Command Femme Over the next decade, Thompson continued to move up the ranks in both the Oklahoma Army National Guard and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. By 2009, he had reached the rank of Colonel in the Oklahoma Army National Guard and Major in the OHP. He was a battalion commander with the Guard and a senior member of the OHP and didn’t think either career could go much further. This turned out to be one of the few times Thompson was wrong. In November of 2010, Mary Fallin was elected Governor and appointed Thompson as the Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety. As the Commissioner, Thompson is responsible for more the 1,400 Oklahoma State Troopers and civilian Department of Public Safety employees in all of Oklahoma’s 77 counties. He is also a member of the Governor’s cabinet, where he serves as the Secretary of Safety and Security. Jordan 1 enfants Trevor Siemian Jerseys In this position he has a cabinet responsibility for all of Oklahoma’s law enforcement agencies to include the department of corrections. In early 2012, Maj. Gen. Myles L. Deering, adjutant general for Oklahoma, nominated Thompson for promotion to brigadier general. Air Jordan 14 (XIV) After more than two years of patient waiting, Thompson was recently notified that he had been selected for promotion to the rank of brigadier general and would be appointed as the Assistant Adjutant General (Army) for the Oklahoma National Guard. Air Jordan 8 In a little more than 30 years, Thompson has taken himself from a man with little more than a basic education, who was unsure of what he wanted to do with his life, to the commissioner of one of Oklahoma’s largest agencies. He has also ascended from an Army private completing menial tasks, to a general officer with oversight of more than 7,000 Soldiers. nike air jordan 11 uomo nike cortez epic uomo Maglie Denver Nuggets Thompson’s promotion ceremony will take place at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City on November 25, at 4:30 p.m.