| Major
Mitchell K. Arnzen retires from Marines
Major Mitchell K. Arnzen retired from the USMC on November 30, 2007 in 29 Palms California after 24 years of active duty. Family members attending the ceremony were his wife Catja Arnzen and daughter Arielle Warner. 
Out of town guests included: Mother, Mariel Arnzen, Cottonwood; Morris and Natalie Arnzen, Cottonwood; Mary Cay Henry, Cottonwood; Mauna Arnzen & Nick Tarlson, Larkspur, California; Claire Tarlson, Seattle, Washington; Molly Arnzen, David Phillips, Jeff Phillips, Coeur ‘d Alene; Melissa Dugan, Portland, Oregon; Martin Arnzen, Moscow and Helga Smith, Kentucky. Major Arnzen was born in Cottonwood, Idaho. In December 1983 he enlisted in the Marine Corps and went to MCRD, San Diego for recruit training where he was meritoriously promoted to PFC upon graduation. He reported to NAS Millington, Tennessee for training as a jet engine mechanic, and was meritoriously promoted to Lance Corporal when he graduated at the top of his class. He reported to VMA-231 as a Harrier Engine Mechanic/Plane Captain. Major Arnzen participated in numerous CONUS deployments as well as a LF6F deployment as part of 22 MAU. While a member of VMA-231, he was meritoriously promoted to Corporal in June 1985 and subsequently promoted to Sergeant in November 1987. He was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps in April 1988. Major Arnzen enrolled at the University of Idaho in August 1988. Shortly thereafter he joined the NROTC and in 1989 was awarded a NROTC scholarship as a “Marine Option” midshipman. He completed Officer Candidate School in August 1991. In May 1992 he graduated with a degree in History, and was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant. Major Arnzen reported to The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia in June 1992, where he finished in the top ten percent of his class, and was awarded the MOS of 1802 Armor Officer. Major Arnzen attended Armored Officer Basic Course in Ft Knox, KY from January 1993 through May 1993 finishing as the Honor Graduate. In May 1993 he reported into 1st Tank Battalion for duty as a Tank Platoon Commander with Charlie Company. He was subsequently assigned as the TOW Platoon Commander where he led the platoon through numerous field exercises as well as a JTF-6 counter drug operation. In May 1996, he departed 1st Tank Battalion for duty as a Project Officer with LAV Test Directorate in Yuma, Arizona. In 1999 he left LAVTD for career level school at Fort, Knox, Kentucky. Upon graduation in May 1999, he reported to 2nd Tank Batallion, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina for duty as a Company Commander/Staff Officer. While there, Major Arnzen held the billets of H&S Company Commander, Charlie Company Comander, and S-4 Officer. In April 2002 he departed 2nd Tank Battalion and reported to Tactical Training Exercise Control Group (ITECG) for duty as the Armor Representative (Coyote 45). He executed seventeen CAX’s and deployed for seven months to Iraq. In February 2005 he reported in to 1st Tank Battalion for duty as the S-4 Officer. In January 2006, he deployed to Iraq as a military Transition Team (MiTT) leader. He returned to CONUS in January 2007, and assumed the duties as Executive Officer for 1st Tank Battalion. Major Arnzen’s personal awards include the Bronze Star Medal, (with gold star in lieu of second award), Meritorious Service Medal (with gold star in lieu of second award), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (with gold star in lieu of second award), Combat Action Ribbon, and the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal. |
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