Michael D. Maples - Military Career

Military Career

Maples became the Commanding General of the United States Army Field Artillery Center at Fort Sill on August 23, 2001. Prior to assuming his present duties, Maples served at Headquarters, Department of the Army as the Director of Operations, Readiness and Mobilization, and the Director of Military Support in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans. He was previously assigned as the Assistant Division Commander (Support), 1st Armored Division, and Senior Tactical Commander of the Baumholder Military Community. As the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Allied Command Europe Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC), and for the Kosovo Force (KFOR), LTG General Maples planned and executed the entry of NATO forces into Kosovo. Previous assignments include serving as the Assistant Chief of Staff, G3, V Corps, Heidelberg, Germany and Deputy Chief of Staff Operations for United States Army Europe (FWD), Taszar, Hungary, supporting United States forces in the Balkans in Operation Joint Endeavor.

Maples commanded the 41st Field Artillery Brigade, Babenhausen, Germany; the 6th Battalion, 27th Field Artillery (MLRS) at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and Desert Shield/Desert Storm; and B Battery, 6th Battalion, 37th Field Artillery (155 T), 2d Infantry Division, Republic of Korea. During Desert Storm, his battalion was the only ATACMS capable unit in theater and provided support to both VII and XVIII Corps, as well as the 6th French, 101st Airborne, 24th Infantry, 1st Armored and 1st Infantry Divisions.