Meet SSG Mike Wolff — 2018 Veteran
SSG Wolff was born in Key West, Florida and raised in Toms River, New Jersey. After graduating high school, he enlisted in the United States Army. He completed basic and Engineer training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, graduating first in his class. He then returned to his reserve unit at Ft. Dix, New Jersey.
SSG Wolff went on to continue his education obtaining degrees in Criminal Justice from Ocean County College and Sociology from St. Peter's College. After his unit was deactivated, he spent several years in the IRR before reenlisting with the 404th Civil Affairs Battalion in 1999. Michael then went on to graduate from the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School as a Civil Affairs Specialist (38A).
In June of 2001, SSG Wolff was deployed to Tirana, Albania in a two-man advisory team in support of Operation Cornerstone. Attached to a Navy Seabee unit, his team performed liaison duties between civilian officials and multi-national military forces involved in the operation.
SSG Wolff's unit was ordered to active duty in January of 2003 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, attached to 10th Special Forces group, as part of Joint Special Operations Task Force North, Task Force Viking. Entering Iraq in April of 2003, SSG Wolff's team pushed on to Mosul Airfield and ran missions to restore power to the city of over 2 million people, identify local authorities, and provide equipment to indigenous agencies such as fire departments.
As the 101st Airborne Division reached Mosul, the 404th CA BN teams then occupied safe houses across northern Iraq. SSG Wolff conducted numerous village assessment missions, reconstruction projects (including bridges, water distribution, and school and government building rehabilitations). SSG Wolff and his team provided security for banks during the institution of the new Iraqi national currency. In January of 2004, SSG Wolff's team supported SOF forces in HVT missions. Generally, the five-man teams, with Peshmerga security forces were the only American assets in the area.
SSG Wolff redeployed to FT Bragg in April of 2004 and was honorably discharged from the Army at the end of his contract.
SSG Wolff was diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety/panic, and depressive disorders in 2004.
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Jeff Anderson
CEO/Founder, Rebuilding Warriors