Brigadier General Michael Yost is a graduate of The University of South Dakota in Vermillion, South Dakota, the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, Texas and the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. His education includes a Bachelor of Health Administration, a Master’s in Health Service Management and Strategic Studies.
BG Yost began his military career in 1988 in the 133rd Mechanized Infantry Battalion of the Iowa Army National Guard. He attended basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri and advanced individual training at Fort Lee, Virginia. After serving as an enlisted Soldier for 4 years, he attended Iowa Officer Candidate School and commissioned in 1992 as a Chemical Officer. After 5 years in the Iowa Army National Guard, BG Yost moved to Texas.
In 1997, BG Yost transferred to the AMEDD as a Medical Service Corps officer with the 111th Area Support Medical Battalion in San Antonio, TX. During his tenure, BG Yost was the Ambulance Platoon Leader, HHC Executive Officer and a Medical Plans Officer with the BN. In 2002, he was assigned as an Aide-de-Camp with the 71st Troop Command, Texas Army National for 3 years followed by the assignment as an Operations Officer with the 949th BSB. In 2007, he became the Company Commander for C. Co of the 949th BSB. After his command time he served as the Senior Escort Officer of the JVB at Baghdad, Iraq, as a member of the Texas Army National Guard 56th IBCT.
In 2010, BG Yost transferred to the U.S. Army Reserves where he took command of the 341st MMB in Seagoville, TX and served in the position until 2012. In October 2012, he joined the AR-MEDCOM, Pinellas Park, FL as a Medical Planning Officer.
After successful completion of that assignment, he returned to the 807th MC(DS) as the Deputy Commander, Administration for the 94th CSH in Seagoville, Texas. BG Yost was then selected to be the 176th MED BDE Commander, a position he held from April 2017 to June 2020 followed by commander of the 228th CSH (Forward) to deploy to Kuwait in support of Operation Spartan Shield.
Apart from deploying to support Operation Enduring Freedom & Operation Iraqi Freedom, BG Yost was also mobilized to support Hurricane Rita relief efforts during his company command with C. Co, 949th BSB. He also led his unit for Operation Bright Star, Egypt and provided humanitarian assistance during flood relief in New Braunfels, Texas. Recently, he was mobilized to support the COVID-19 response as the 176th Medical Brigade Commander.
BG Yost is a graduate of the U.S. Army War College, Intermediate Level Education, Combined Arms Services Staff Course, Support Operations Course, Army Medical Department (AMEDD) Officer Basic and Advanced Course, and Chemical Officer Basic Course.
His awards and decorations include Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal w/ one Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal w/one Oak Leaf Cluster, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal and a Meritorious Unit Commendation.
BG Yost was also awarded the Order of Military Medical Merit.