LTC Michael “Mike” McLean Wellock was born in Lansing, Michigan, and grew up in Franklin, Tennessee. He commissioned in the Infantry after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville in 2004.
Following completion of training at Fort Benning, he was assigned to 1-505 Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3/82 ABN at Fort Bragg, NC as a Rifle Platoon Leader, a Delta Company (heavy weapon’s) Platoon Leader, and a Company Executive Officer from 2005-2008; including a 15-month deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom V and the Iraq Surge to FOB Summerall in Baji, Iraq.
After completing the Maneuver Captain’s Career Course at Fort Benning, GA, he served as a Ranger Instructor and the Battalion S4 at the 5th Ranger Training Battalion from 2008-2010 in Dahlonega, GA. LTC Wellock then served in 2-69 AR (CAB) as an AS3 and a Company Commander in A/2-69 AR from 2010-2013; including a deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom VII and Operation New Dawn at COS Kalsu.
Following his PCS from Fort Benning to Fort Irwin, CA, LTC Wellock served as an Observer Controller / Trainer (OC/T) on the Tarantula Team (Light Infantry Training Team) as a company trainer and the TF S3 trainer from 2013-2014. Following completion of Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell, Air Force Base, Montgomery, AL, the Wellock Family PCS’ed to Fort Riley, KS. During his tenure with 1st Infantry Division, he served as a Future Operations officer in the 1st ID G3 section, as an S3 in 1-16 IN (CAB) including a rotation to S. Korea, and finally as the S3 for 1st ABCT, 1 ID.
The Wellock Family PCS’ed to Fort Knox, KY where LTC Wellock served in the G3 Operations section at the Human Resources Command as the Chief of Current Operations and the Chief of Operations from 2018-2022. LTC Wellock assumed command of the Ghost Battalion, 2-7 CAV, 3ABCT, 1CD on 03 June 2022 at Fort Cavazos, TX, where he conducted a short-notice deployment (his fourth) in support of Operation Assure, Deter, and Reinforce (due to Russian Aggression). Most recently, LTC Wellock serves as the department head and Professor Military Science at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville Army ROTC program.
LTC Wellock’s awards and decorations include: Bronze Star Medal, Army Meritorious Service Medal (3 OLC), Army Commendation Medal (3 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (4 OLC), National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal (4 OLC), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Meritorious Unit Citation (2), the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Expert Infantryman’s Badge, and the Senior Parachutist’s Badge. He is a graduate of the Ranger Course, Basic Airborne and Jumpmaster Courses.
LTC Wellock holds a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Tennessee (2004), a Master’s of Military Arts and Sciences degree from the Air University in Maxwell AFB (2015), and another Master’s of Science degree in Human Resources and Organizational Development from the University of Louisville (2020).
Mike is a proud husband to the former Kristen Rosgaard of Smithtown, New York, and father of two children, Gary (11 years old) and Elizabeth (5 years old).