Col Michael E. Langley was born in Shreveport, Louisiana. He attended the University of Texas at Arlington, majoring in Information Systems Analysis. While attending college he was accepted into the PLC Program. Upon graduation in 1985 he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant. After completion of TBS and artillery school in 1986, he was assigned to Btry H, 3rd Battalion, 10th Marines where he served as a Forward Observer, Fire Direction Officer, Platoon Commander and Executive Officer. During this period he deployed to Okinawa, Japan under the Unit Deployment Program (UDP). In 1988, he assumed command of Headquarters Battery, 3rd Battalion, 10th Marines.
In 1989, he was transferred to Marine Barracks, 8th and I, Washington, DC and assigned to Marine Corps Institute as a Division Officer. During this tour, he was promoted to Captain and later assigned as a student at the Amphibious Warfare School in 1991. Upon graduation from AWS, he was transferred to the 1st Marine Division and assigned as the G-1B from 1992 to 1993. During this period, he deployed to Somalia for Operation Restore Hope.
In May 1993, he was assigned to 5th Battalion, 11th Marines as the Liaison Officer. He assumed command of Headquarters Battery from August 1993 to May 1994. He later assumed command of Battery K, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines and served in this capacity from May 1994 to May 1995. Upon his selection to Major, he was transferred to Huntsville, AL, to assume duties as Inspector-Instructor Battery K, 4th Battalion, 14th Marines until his transfer in July 1998.
He attended the Command and Staff Course at the Naval War College, Newport, RI during the 1998-99 academic year and earned a Master of Arts Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. After graduation, Major Langley was assigned as the NSFS Requirements Officer in the Expeditionary Warfare Division (N75), Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV). When promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, he assumed additional duties as the Joint Integration Officer in the Surface Warfare Division (N76), (OPNAV).
In June 2002, he reported to 3d Marine Division; Okinawa, Japan and assumed command of 3d Battalion, 12th Marines. Upon relinquishing command in June 2004, he was assigned to the Pentagon for Joint Duty. During his tour on the Joint Staff, LtCol Langley served as an action officer in the Policy Division, Strategic Plans & Policy Directorate (J-5), and as the Iraq Desk Officer, Joint Staff Response Cell, J-3 Operations Directorate. In April 2005, LtCol Langley was selected as the Deputy Executive Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He served in that capacity until his completion of Joint duty and selection to TLS in summer of 2006.
In the academic year of 2006-07, Colonel Langley attended the Army War College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania where he was promoted to Colonel and earned a Masters Degree in Strategic Studies. Upon graduation in June 2007, he reported to Okinawa to assume command of 12th Marine Regiment. In Oct 2008, Colonel Langley deployed to Afghanistan to assume command of 201st Regional Corps Advisory Command – Central. Upon returning from deployment, he was assigned as the OIC of the Special Operations Training Group, III MEF from Sept 2009 to June 2010. In July 2010, he transferred to Headquarters Marine Corps, Program & Resources (PA&E) as the Assessments Branch Head serving in that billet until July 2012. Colonel Langley then transferred back to III MEF to assume duties in his present assignment as Assistant Division Commander, 3d Marine Division.
His decorations include: Legion of Merit with gold star, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with gold star, the Navy Commendation Medal with two gold stars, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal , Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal and the NATO Medal-ISAF Afghanistan