10/18/05

Major David J. Manges Sr. enlisted in the Kansas Army National Guard on 16 March 1979.  He completed basic training at Ft. Jackson, SC, and infantry training at Ft. Benning, GA.   After finishing high school he enlisted in the regular Army, after completing Airborne School and the Ranger Indoctrination Program he was assigned to B Company, 1^st Ranger Battalion, Hunter Army Airfield, GA, where he served as a Rifleman, Grenadier, Rifle Team Leader, Rifle Squad Leader, and Senior Company Sniper.  In 1985, then SSG Manges, was assigned to the 2^nd Ranger Company, (later re-designated 5^th Ranger Training Battalion) Dahlonega, GA, where he served as a Ranger Instructor.  In 1990, he joined the Georgia National Guard and served as a Platoon Sergeant and as First Sergeant for Company H, 122^nd INF (LRSU) until his commissioning as a Second Lieutenant of Infantry from Georgia Military College.  MAJ Manges earned his BS degrees in both History and Political Science from Georgia College in June of 1992.  His initial company grade assignments were with 1^st Battalion, 17^th Infantry regiment and 1^st battalion, 501^st Parachute Infantry Regiment, Ft. Richardson, AK.  He served as a Rifle Platoon Leader, Scout Platoon leader, Support Platoon leader, and Assistant Operations Officer.  After attending the Infantry Officers Advanced Course in 1996, Major Manges was assigned as the Assistant Professor of Military Science at Auburn University, Auburn, AL. In January of 1999, he attended the Combined Arms and Services Staff School at Ft. Leavenworth, KS, and upon graduation was assigned to the 101^st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Ft. Campbell, KY, where he served as the Commander of C Company, 1^st Battalion, 502 Infantry Regiment.  In March of 2001, he assumed command of the Pathfinder Company, 101^st Airborne Division (Air Assault), the only Pathfinder Company in the US Army and gave up command in July of 2003. He was then assigned to a joint billet at the US Air Forces Coalition Air Operations Center at Al Udied Air Force Base, Qatar, where he served the Ground Plans Officer in the Master Air Attack Plan cell for 17 months. In Oct of 2004 he was assigned as the Training Officer and Assistant Professor of Military Science at Wright State University.

Major Manges’ military schooling includes: Airborne School, Ranger School, Sniper/Counter Sniper Course, USMC Scout Sniper Instructor School, Jumpmaster School, Pathfinder School, Norwegian Winter Warfare School, Infantry Officers Basic Course, Infantry Officers Advanced Course, the Combined Arms and Services Staff School, and the Air Assault Course.  His awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal for Valor and 10 Oak leaf clusters, the Army Achievement Meal, the Army Good Conduct Medal 3^rd award, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with Spearhead device, the Valorous Unit Award and the Multi-National Forces and Observers Medal.  He is also authorized to wear the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Expert Infantryman’s Badge, the Ranger Tab the Master Parachutist Badge with one Combat Jump Star, The Pathfinders Badge, the Air Assault Badge, the German Parachutist Badge, and the Norwegian Biathlon Badge and 4 overseas service bars.