Michael Filanowski serves as the division’s Chief of Staff. Originally from Shelton, Connecticut, he graduated from Virginia Tech in 2004 and commissioned into the infantry.
From 2005–2009, he held platoon, company and battalion appointments with 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, including deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq. Company and reconnaissance-troop command with the 170th Brigade Combat Team in Germany followed during 2009–2012, with another Afghanistan deployment.
He commanded a company in the 5th Ranger Training Battalion during 2012–2013. After Command and General Staff College, he worked as an operational planner in III Corps, including deployment to Iraq for Operation Inherent Resolve.
He held operations and executive-officer roles in 2-12 Cavalry during 2016–2018, deployed to Poland for Atlantic Resolve and served on Army strategic staffs during 2019–2021. He commanded 8th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment during 2021–2023, including its 2022 Korea rotation.
His education includes Ranger, Airborne and Jumpmaster schools, the School of Advanced Military Studies and National War College. His unit awards include Valorous and Meritorious Unit Citations.