|
Lieutenant Colonel Michelle Trusso
While at Riverside High School, Michelle Trusso was an excellent student that was involved in several extracurricular activities such as cheerleading, swim team, Senior Council representative, and was the President of Student Council and A.F.S.. Michelle was also active in drama, served on Junior Council, attended the Hugh O’Brien Leadership Foundation, was a Buckeye Girls’ State alternate, Key Club Treasurer, Chairman of the A.F.S., Bus Stop Program, was an A.F.S. Summer Exchange Student to Kenya, Africa and was named one of 25 students in the state of Ohio to receive the Governor’s Youth Award. She was also a two year member of the National Honor Society and received seven awards in the Tri-County Art Awards Competition.
After graduation, Michelle attended Miami University where she was a member of the Delta Gamma Sorority, in which she was involved in various leadership capacities within the chapter. She participated in the University’s study abroad program in which she spent a semester in Luxembourg and traveling Europe. Michelle was also involved in the Naval ROTC program where she was the recipient of the NROTC 2 year full scholarship. Her senior year, Michelle was the Naval Battalion Commander and received the Marine Corps Association’s Marine Officer Award for Outstanding Leadership.
Upon graduation, Michelle was commissioned a second lieutenant and attended The Marine Corps Officer Basic School, and graduated in February 1992 with honors. She was given the military occupational specialty of Intelligence officer and attending the Basic Intelligence Officer Course in Damneck,
Virginia. Upon graduation she was assigned to the 10th Marine Regiment at Camp Lejeune, where she served as the Regimental S-2 Officer.
In June 1994, First Lieutenant Trusso served as the Aide-to-Camp for the Commanding General of the 2d Marine Division. Upon completion of this tour she was deployed to Joint Task Force Provide Promise, Deny Flight and served as both a detachment commander and the J-2 Operations Officer.
After returning from deployment, Captain Trusso received orders to Marine Corps Combat Development Command, Quantico, Virginia, for duty as an instructor at The Basic School (TBS). While there, she served as a basic skills instructor in the Instructor Group and as a staff platoon commander with two basic officer classes. In June 1997, she was reassigned as the commanding officer of Company M. She served as Company commander until receiving orders to attend the Amphibious Warfare School (AWS) in June 1999.
Graduation from AWS with honors, Major Trusso then reported to 2d Radio Battalion for duty as the commanding officer of Headquarters and Service Company. In June 2001, Major Trusso was re-assigned for duty as the Operations Officer. She held this billet until June 2002, when she assumed duties as the Executive Officer of the 2d Radio Battalion.
Following this assignment, Major Trusso attended the Marine Corps Command and Staff
College where she completed her Master’s Degree in Military Studies and graduated with honors in June 2004.
Presently Lieutenant Colonel Trusso is assigned as The Commanding Officer of Production & Analysis Company, Marine Corps Intelligence Activity in Quantico,
Virginia.
Lieutenant Colonel Trusso’s personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (second award), the Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Joint Achievement Medal, and the Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
In addition to being on active duty, Lieutenant Colonel Trusso is currently working toward finishing her PhD in Conflict Analysis and Resolution at Nova
Southeastern University. She is married to Lieutenant Colonel David Odom, USMC, and they have two wonderful children, Tasher and Barrett.
|
