CW5 Michael Keith began his military career with the US Coast Guard upon leaving High School in Cumberland, Rhode Island. He served as an Engine-man both CONUS (U S Coast Guard Cutter Vigilant) and OCONUS (US Coast Guard LORAN Station Hokkaido, Japan) during his enlistment period. He left the service as a 2nd Class Petty Officer (E5).

After a short separation from service he entered the U S Army and served as a Cavalry Scout/Armored Crewman with the 1st Squadron, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment in Bayreuth, Germany. Upon completion of this OCONUS tour he was selected for duty with the U S Army Recruiting Command and assigned to a recruiting station in Eau Claire, WI. While on recruiting duty he was selected for promotion to SFC (E7).

In 1984, based upon his experience as an engineer in the Coast Guard, he applied for a Warrant Officer appointment. He was accepted, attended Warrant Officer Candidate School and pinned as a CWO2 in 1985.

As a Marine Engineering Officer CW5 Keith has been assigned to Transportation Units and Army Vessels both CONUS and OCONUS. His assignments have included duty at: Ft Eustis, VA, (73rd Floating Craft Company, 1098th Medium Boat Company, LSV-1 and LSV-4, USAV McHenry, HQ 10th Trans Bn, HQ 7th trans Grp/Sustainment BDE US Army Transportation School). Ft Lee, VA, (CASCOM) Azores,Portugal (MTMC Troop Transport Unit TTU) and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (5th Trans Co and LSV-5) while performing duties as Chief Engineer of Army Vessels, Unit Maintenance Officer, BN and BDE staff positions, Transportation School Instructor, Combat Systems Developer and culminating with his selection as the Transportation Corps Regimental Warrant Officer and assigned to the Office of the Chief of Transportation (OCOT) while at Ft Eustis and during the Transition to Ft Lee.

CW5 Keith retired after 40 years of active duty service, 12 years as an enlisted soldier and 28 years as a Warrant Officer, in 2012.

Upon retirement he “dropped anchor” in Prince George, VA with his forever spouse,