Captain Michael Rea is an active-duty U.S. Army Foreign Area Officer studying in the Global Politics and Security concentration. He is a member of the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Board at MSFS, and his research interests include security cooperation, the challenges facing the Western Hemisphere, and understanding emerging technology.

Prior to his graduate school studies, he served as an Air Defense Officer and then as a Civil Affairs Team Leader in the Army’s Special Operations Command. He held numerous leadership positions and deployed globally to Qatar, Panama, and the Pacific. In Panama, he coordinated COVID-19 relief and spearheaded the U.S. humanitarian assistance mission to aid victims affected by Hurricane Eta and Iota. Captain Rea was awarded two Humanitarian Service Medals for his contribution. His military training includes the Special Operations Technology for Tactical Operations Course, Advanced Negotiations Techniques, the Joint Humanitarian Operations Course, the Joint Special Operations University Operational Design Course, and Airborne School.

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Anthropology from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, is a native of Moreno Valley, California, and is a fluent Spanish speaker.

"I choose MSFS to learn from experts and practitioners in foreign service, expand my professional network, and study in the nation's capital."