Brigadier General Michael S. Linnington graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1980 and was commissioned a Lieutenant in the Infantry.  His civilian education includes a Bachelor of Science Degree from USMA, and a Masters in Applied Mathematics from Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute.  His military education includes Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, US Army Command and General Staff College, and attendance at the National War College where he earned a Masters Degree in National Security Strategy.    

His early assignments included duties as a Platoon Leader, Staff Officer, Aide de Camp, and Company Commander at Fort Ord, California, Fort Riley, Kansas, and the Berlin Brigade in the occupied city of West Berlin.  He then served as an Instructor and XO in the Department of Math Sciences at USMA and as Brigade S4, Battalion XO, and Brigade XO in the 187^th Infantry -- the "Rakkasans" –  at Fort Campbell, KY.  General Linnington commanded the 1^st Battalion, 503^rd Infantry in the Republic of Korea, and remained in Korea after command serving as the Operations Officer (G3) for the 2^d Infantry Division.   

In 2001 BG Linnington returned to the United States, attending the National War College, with a follow-on assignment as Special Assistant to the Army Chief of Staff.  In May 2002 he assumed command of the 3^rd Brigade, 101^st Airborne Division (AASLT) in Kandahar, Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom.  From June 2002 through June 2004, BG Linnington commanded the 3^d Brigade, 101^st Airborne Division (AASLT), both in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. 

BG Linnington departed command for an assignment on the Joint Staff (J8), and then served as the Assistant Commandant/Deputy Commanding General at the U.S. Army Infantry Center at Fort Benning, Georgia.  In his most recent assignment, BG Linnington served as Special Assistant to the Vice Chief of Staff, Army. 

BG Linnington returns to the United States Military Academy to assume command of the United States Corps of Cadets as the 71st Commandant of Cadets. 

General Linnington’s awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star w/Valor, the Bronze Star, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, Army Occupation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, the meritorious Unit Commendation, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Airborne and Air Assault wings, Ranger Tab, and Pathfinders Badge.