SSG Michael R Bautista serves as a Scout Section Leader with Second Squadron, 116th Cavalry Regiment, 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team, Idaho Army National Guard, Boise, Idaho. He was born in Tacoma, Washington. He enlisted in the split option program US Army Reserve assigned to Company A, 100th BN, 442nd Infantry, Fort Shafter, Hawaii. Prior to graduating high school, he attended Infantryman basic combat training at Fort Benning Georgia. His senior year he moved to Tacoma, Washington and transferred to the Washington Army National Guard. He graduated high school in Lakewood, Washington at Clover Park High School. He completed his advanced individual training at Fort Knox, Kentucky as a Cavalry Scout assigned to Troop E 303rd Cavalry, Puyallup, Washington. Later, he moved to Idaho for employment and subsequently transferred to Det 2 HHC 2d BN, 116th Cavalry, Idaho Army National Guard. SSG Bautista is currently attending American Military University and is projected to graduate in the class of 2013 with a BA in Military History.
SSG Bautista completed two combat tours to Iraq; 2004-2005 OIF III assigned to Det 2, HHC 2d BN, 116th Cavalry and 2010-2011 OND1, C Troop 2d Squadron, 116th Cavalry Regiment. During OND, he was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal. SSG Bautista was nominated as the most outstanding member because of his physical, mental, technical, and tactical abilities, displayed during Troop, Squadron, State and Region competitions.
SSG Bautista volunteers with his church, Christ Community Church in Idaho Falls, assisting with the Children’s Ministry Group in the nursery and the Helping Hands Ministry Group accomplishing repairs/maintenance at church member’s homes.
Decorations and Awards: Governors Outstanding Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Joint Service Commendation, Army Achievement Medal-2, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal-3, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal/Mobilization, NCO Professional Development Ribbon-2, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon-2, Idaho Emergency Duty Ribbon-1, Idaho Reenlistment Ribbon-3, Idaho Service Ribbon-2.