Profile
Michael Hlad assumed command of the Defense Information Systems Agency’s Regional Field Command Pacific July 18, 2025. He’s responsible for the engineering, operation, defense, and command and control of the Pacific portion of the Department of War Information Network. Hlad directly supports U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, U.S. Forces Japan, U.S. Forces Korea, Alaska Command, and Pacific mission partners, service components, and agencies.
Hlad enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves in 1999. After basic training, he reported to Military Police Company A in Kentucky. Following graduation from Centre College, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 2001. After The Basic School, and Command and Control Systems Officers Course, Hlad reported to Marine Aircraft Group 31, Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort in 2003. There, he served as the first school-trained Communications Officer for the group and supported multiple F/A-18 carrier-based deployments and rotations to Operation Iraqi Freedom.
From 2005-2008, Hlad served as S-6A for the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. He supported relief operations during Hurricane Katrina, exercise Infinite Moonlight in Jordan, the non-combative evacuation of American citizens from Beirut, and strike missions into Afghanistan.
In 2008, as 24 MEU’s Communications Officer, Hlad oversaw the planning and integration of the MEU’s communication architecture into Afghanistan and supported combat operations in the Southern Helmand province. In 2009, the MEU communications detachment was awarded the Lt. Col. Kevin M. Shea Unit of the Year Award for outstanding performance. Hlad was awarded the Gen. Alfred M. Gray Trophy for outstanding communications leadership.
In 2009, Hlad was selected for Naval Postgraduate School and received a master’s in leadership education and development. Upon graduation, he was assigned as 28th Company Officer and 6th Battalion Executive Officer at the U.S. Naval Academy. After this tour, Hlad was selected to attend the Marine Corps Command and Staff College, graduating with a master’s in military studies.
In 2013, Hlad took command of 1st Marine Division’s Communications Company. During his tour, the company supported four division-level exercises, two Marine Expeditionary Force-level exercises and supported 1st Marine Division’s requirements across the globe.
In 2015, Hlad was selected for the School of Advanced Warfighting, where he graduated with a master’s in operational studies. After SAW, he was assigned to Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51 / 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Naval Support Activity Bahrain, as the Future Operations Officer and lead planner. There, Hlad led several planning efforts in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility for deliberate and crisis response operations. Efforts varied from the crisis in the Red Sea, acceleration of the defeat ISIS campaign in support of Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, special operations, and interdiction operations.
In 2018 he took command of 7th Communication Battalion in Okinawa, Japan, supporting operations for III MEF, III MEB, 31st MEU, and the INDOPACOM staff across the AOR. As the only forward deployed communications battalion in the Marine Corps, the “Stormbreakers” were always on call supporting forces across the Pacific.
In 2020, Hlad attended the College of Information and Cyberspace, National Defense University. He received a master’s of in government information leadership and was a distinguished graduate.
Hlad reported to Joint Forces Headquarters-Department of Defense Information Network in 2021, where he served as the Division Chief for deliberate plans in the Plans Directorate (J-5), synchronizing operational and strategic plans for the Office of the Secretary of Defense, DOD Chief Information Officer, Joint Staff, and combatant commands.
Hlad reported to USINDOPACOM in 2023 where he served as the C4 Operations (J-6) Division Chief.
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