Col. Michelle A. Schnakenberg is commander of the 28th Medical Group, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota. She commands more than 240 active-duty military and civilian members, and, is responsible for ensuring maximum wartime readiness by operating a community-based healthcare system maintaining the health and morale of Air Force members through accessible, quality medical and dental care for 16,000 beneficiaries.
Col. Schnakenberg began her Air Force career in 1986 as an Air Traffic Control Operator at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. After honorably serving 6 years on active duty, she pursued her educational goals as a full-time student, graduating in 1996 from Midwestern State University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree. After serving as a civilian nurse for one year, she returned to active duty in 1997 as an Air Force Nurse Corps officer. Prior to her current position, Col. Schnakenberg was the Deputy Commander, 48th Medical Group, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, United Kingdom.
EDUCATION
1996 Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, Texas
2001 Nursing Service Management, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas
2002 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2005 Infection Control Officer Course, Sheppard AFB, Texas
2006 Master of Science in Health Care Administration, California College for Health Sciences
2009 Health Care Integrator Course, Sheppard AFB, Texas
2011 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2012 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2012 Master of Military Operational Art and Science, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2015 Intermediate Executive Skills Course, San Antonio, Texas
2015 PCMH Executive Leaders Seminar, Randolph AFB, Texas
2016 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2017 Health Professions Education and Training Course, San Antonio, Texas
2020 Combined Senior Leadership Course, Joint Base Andrews, M.D.
ASSIGNMENTS
- August 1997 - January 1998, Clinical Nurse, Medical-Surgical Unit, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas
- January 1998 - September 2001, Clinical Nurse, Medicine Clinic, Sheppard AFB, Texas
- October 2001 - November 2002, Clinical Nurse, Intensive Care Element, Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio
- November 2002 - September 2003, Shift Charge Nurse, Intensive Care Element, Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio
(March 2003 - July 2003, Landstuhl, Germany, Intensive Care Unit, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center)
- September 2003 - August 2004, Medical Group Executive Officer, Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio
- September 2004 - August 2005, Assistant Nurse Manager, Intensive Care Element, Scott AFB, Ill.
- August 2005 - June 2009, Infection Control Officer, Scott AFB, Ill.
(September 2007 - January 2008, Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, Intensive Care Unit, Craig Joint Theater Hospital)
- June 2009 - June 2011, Health Care Integrator, Joint Base, McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.
- July 2011 - June 2012, Intermediate Development Education Student, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
- June 2012 - May 2015, Flight Commander, Family Health and Flight Medicine Flights, Laughlin AFB, Texas
(January 2015 - May 2015, Interim Chief Nurse)
- May 2015 - May 2018, Chief Nurse, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
- June 2018 - July 2020, 48th Medical Operations Squadron Commander and Chief Nurse, Anderson AFB, Guam
- August 2020 - July 2022, 48th Medical Group Deputy Commander, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, United Kingdom
- July 2022 - Present, Commander, 28th Medical Group, Ellsworth AFB, S.D.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Army Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Good Conduct Medal with oak leaf cluster
National Defense Service Medal with bronze star device
Afghanistan Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
NATO Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2006 Board Certification, Nursing Administration, American Nurses Credentialing Center
2010 Air Mobility Command, Health Care Integrator of the Year
2011 Board Certification, Nurse Executive, American Nurses Credentialing Center
2012 47th Flying Training Wing, Flight Commander of the Year
2016 Board Certification, Nurse Executive, American Nurses Credentialing Center
2021 Board Certification, Nurse Executive, American Nurses Credentialing Center
EFFECTIVE DATES OF
Second Lieutenant June 29, 1997
First Lieutenant Jan. 4, 1999
Captain Jan. 4, 2001
Major Feb. 1, 2009
Lieutenant Colonel (BTZ) Jan. 1, 2016
Colonel Sept. 1, 2020
(CURRENT AS OF JUNE 2022)