Chief Warrant Officer Five (CW5) Michael G. Siedler is the Command Chief Warrant Officer of the Army Reserve Aviation Command (ARAC) and the Aviation Warrant Officer Proponent Advisor of the United States Army Reserve (USAR). He is responsible to develop and synchronize warrant officer related policy initiatives and advise the ARAC Commander and staff on the life cycle of warrant officer talent management, including force modernization, recruiting, training, utilization, education, and career enhancement with a focus on growing the Future Force.
CW5 Siedler enlisted in the Army in 1986 for the Warrant Officer Flight Training program. Upon graduation of Basic Training from Fort Leonard Wood, MO, he began flight training at Fort Rucker, AL. In 1987 he graduated flight training as an AH-1 Cobra pilot. His initial pilot assignment was in Katterbach, Germany with the 501st Aviation Battalion, then the activated 2nd Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment and finally with 1st Squadron, 1st Calvary. During his time in Germany he became Gunnery Top Gun, Unit Trainer for the Fulda Gap border mission and completed his Calvary spur ride.
CW5 Siedler was assigned in 1990 as the Operations Officer for 1-223rd Aviation Regiment to coordinate and conduct flight instruction and operations at Cairns Army Airfield, AL. In 1991 he graduated AH-1F Gunnery Instructor Pilot training and was assigned to 14th Aviation Regiment Fort Rucker, AL. By 1992 he was performing duties of NVG Flight Leader and training over 50 students annually.
Prior to arriving in Korea in 1994 he graduated the Instrument Flight Examiner (IFE) Course. While in Korea he performed duties as IFE and AH-1F C-Nite Instructor Pilot. By 1995 Chief Siedler was completing his active duty assignments while stationed at Fort Carson, CO 1st Squadron 10th United States Calvary for 4th Infantry Division.
CW5 Siedler’s career continued in the Colorado Army National Guard as a UH-1H Instructor Pilot and IFE, assigned to 2-147th Aviation Regiment. Based out of the High Altitude Training Site in Eagle, CO from 1995-2000, he became highly proficient at the technical flying in the mountains of Colorado.
The USAR accepted him as IFE in 2000, to A/7-158th Aviation Regiment Fort Carson, CO as a CH-47 pilot. Shortly after he was hired as the Supervisory Operations Instructor Pilot at ASF Carson. He also worked as Company and Battalion Aviation Safety Officer. In 2003 he accepted an AGR tour as Company Aviation Safety Officer leading him up to an Operation Enduring Freedom deployment 2006-2007. Upon return from deployment he worked as Platoon Leader (2007) and Company Commander (2008-2010) transitioning the unit from CH-47 to the USAR’s first HH-60M MEDEVAC Company.
In 2012 he moved to Fort Hood, TX as the 7-158th Tactical Operations Officer. When selected for CW5 in 2013 he moved to the 244th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade Fort Dix, NJ. He was assigned to the ARAC as Aviation Safety Officer in 2017. In 2019 he was assigned as the ARAC Command Chief Warrant Officer.
CW5 Siedler’s military education includes the Warrant Officer Senior Staff Course; Warrant Officer Staff Course, Aviation Warrant Officer Advanced and Basic Courses; Medical Evacuation Doctrine Course; Rotary Wing Instrument Flight Examiner Course; Instructor Pilot Course; Aviation Safety Officer Course; Aviation Tactical Operations Officer Course; and Initial Entry Rotary Wing Course. He is a graduate of the DoD Defense Support of Civil Authorities Course (Phase 1 and 2). His aircraft qualifications include TH-55, UH-1, AH-1, CH-47, UH60A/L, HH60M, and C-12 aircraft.
CW5 Siedler’s work on his civilian education and experience include Bachelor of Science Liberal Arts Regents College; Bachelor of Aeronautical Science Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; Journeyman Electrical Residential Certification; Chefs de Cuisine Association recognized Sues Chef; State of Colorado Commercial Driver’s License Driving Skill Testing Examiner; Drivers Training Supervisor as a Contractor for Fort Carson; and American Institute for Public Safety Instructor Certification.
His military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal (with triple Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Achievement Medal (with double Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (with triple Oak Leaf Cluster), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Service Ribbon (3), Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon, NATO Medal (ISAF), and Master Army Aviator Badge.
CW5 Siedler currently lives in Kentucky. He has two children and 3 grandchildren in Colorado and Texas. His son is a chemical engineer and his daughter is an educator.