Michael Todd Plehn (born 1964) is a retired United States Air Force lieutenant general who last served as the 17th president of the National Defense University from 2021 to 2024. He previously served as deputy commander of the United States Southern Command from 2018 to 2020. He is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy.
Education Michael Plehn graduated from Miami Southridge High School in 1983, he then attended the United States Air Force Academy Preparatory School in Colorado Springs where he graduated with military distinction and received a bachelor degree in Astronautical Engineering in 1988. He holds a Masters degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College , Masters of Aerospace Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a Masters of Airpower Art and Science from the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies.
Career From August 1990 until November 1994, Plehn was an Electronic Warfare Officer on the AC-130 Gunship at the 16th Special Operations Squadron, where he remained until July 1997 when he took on the role as Aide-de-camp to the Commander at the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). In 2000, Plehn moved to the Headquarters U.S. Air Force in Washington as Team Chief of the Global Engagement of the Directorate of Strategic Planning and he was the Air Staff in Strategy and Policy as well as the speechwriter for the Air Force Vice Chief of Staff in 2001. In 2006 and 2007, he was the Chief Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization. He served in the Office of the Secretary of Defense in the Middle East Policy from 2013 to 2015.Until 2018, he was the Deputy Commander for Air Force Special Operations Command at Hurlburt Field, Florida. He is the President of Plehn & Associated LLC. In February 2021, Plehn was appointed the 17th president of the National Defense University (NDU) succeeding Vice Admiral Frederick J. Roegge. He was the Military Deputy Commander of the U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM). As such, Plehn participated in the Colombia-U.S Exercise Vita which took place in March 2020 in the Guajira Peninsula in Columbia. In March 2023, Plehn and Dr. Robert Egnell published an article in PRISM entitled "If You Want Peace…".
Awards and decorations Air Force Master Navigator BadgeBasic Parachutist BadgeJoint Chiefs of Staff Identification BadgeOffice of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge Defense Distinguished Service MedalAir Force Distinguished Service MedalDefense Superior Service Medal with two bronze oak leaf clustersLegion of MeritBronze Star MedalDefense Meritorious Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf clusterMeritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clustersAir Medal with two oak leaf clustersAerial Achievement Medal with four oak leaf clustersAir Force Commendation MedalAir Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf clusterJoint Meritorious Unit Award with one silver and one bronze oak leaf clustersGallant Unit CitationAir Force Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf clusterAir Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor device and three oak leaf clustersAir Force Organizational Excellence AwardCombat Readiness Medal with two oak leaf clustersAir Force Good Conduct MedalAir Force Recognition RibbonNational Defense Service Medal with one bronze service starArmed Forces Expeditionary Medal with service starSouthwest Asia Service Medal with service starGlobal War on Terrorism Expeditionary MedalGlobal War on Terrorism Service MedalArmed Forces Service MedalHumanitarian Service MedalAir Force Overseas Long Tour Service RibbonAir Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with gold frame and two oak leaf clustersAir Force Longevity Service Award with one silver and three bronze oak leaf clustersSmall Arms Expert Marksmanship RibbonAir Force Training RibbonMedal for Distinguished Service to the Colombian Military ForcesNATO Medal for the former YugoslaviaKuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
Effective dates of promotion + Rank Date Second LieutenantJune 1, 1988 First LieutenantJune 1, 1990 CaptainJune 1, 1992 MajorAugust 1, 1998 Lieutenant ColonelMay 1, 2001 ColonelAugust 1, 2005 Brigadier GeneralJuly 22, 2011 Major GeneralMay 5, 2014 Lieutenant GeneralOctober 22, 2018
References