Lt. Colonel still considers Louise home
By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com

Contributed Photo by Greg Johnson Lieutenant Colonel Calls Louise Home Newly promoted Army Lt. Col. John Michna, right, is a 1984 Louise High School graduate and still considers the small community his home. He is currently stationed at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio where he was promoted Jan. 3 in front of the Alamo. Conducting the promotion ceremony was Marine Col. Leonard Hernandez (retired), at left. "John requested Col. Hernandez conduct the promotion because as a fellow Texan he well understood the importance and symbolism of the Alamo," wife Katie said in an e-mail to the Leader-News. The two men work together and share an interest in history.

Dealing with disaster is just another day at the office for one Louise High School graduate who in recent years has faced everything from terrorism attacks to uncontrollable flames.

But John P. Michna is good at what he does.

And the U.S. Army agrees.

Michna was promoted to lieutenant colonel Jan. 3 in front of the Alamo in San Antonio, a shrine to soldiers willing to fight to the last man for freedom.

His most recent assignment was to help coordinate military response to the California wildfires.

"His role was as an operational planner for U.S. Army North's deployable Operational Command Post. He is part of a quick response team that determines what Department of Defense fense assets will best meet the needs of state or local civil authorities in crisis situations such as natural or manmade disasters," wife Katie Michna said.

Prior to being stationed at Fort Sam Houston, Michna did a tour of duty in Saudi Arabia working with that country's national guard unit.

In the past 23 years the 1984 Louise High School graduate has seen much of the world traveling from overseas duty assignments to stateside posts.

"Family and friends still live in the area in which he grew up," wife Katie said. "And though the Army sends us elsewhere - Louise is still and always will be home."

Michna enlisted in the U.S. Army shortly after graduation and served his first tour at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, Calif.

Three years later, he joined the Texas National Guard as a cavalry scout in the El Campo unit. He then served as a tank platoon leader in Rosenberg while attending Sam Houston State University where he received a bachelor's degree in criminal justice.

Degree in hand, Michna set his sights on officer's candidate school and was commissioned in 1990.

Returning to activity duty as a second lieutenant, he attended the Armor Officer Basic course, and served with the Fifth Infantry Division at Fort Polk, La. and Second Armored Division at Fort Hood.

From there, Michna was given his first command with A Troop, 1st Squadron, 16th Cavalry at Fort Knox, Ky.

He next served as an observer/ controller/team chief and battalion logistician at Camp Shelby, Miss.

Michna returned to Fort Sam Houston to serve as a U.S. Fifth Army current operations officer during the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks on the United States.

Michna also served as a plans officer overseeing the mobilization of more than 25,000 reserve component soldiers from across the nation.

Ye was promoted to a battalion advisor to the 11th and 31st Mechanized Infantry Battalions, Saudi Arabian National Guard, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

He is currently a strategic planner in U.S. Army North, Policy and Strategy Division.

Michna is married to the former Charisse Neves of Galena Park. They have two children, John Jr., 16 and Valeri, 14. John Sr. is the proud son of Jerry Michna and Lucille Michna of Louise and the son-in-law of Myra and Earl Neves of Galena Park.