COL (R) Michael Foster Named 2025 Ranger Hall of Fame Inductee

—WESTCLIFFE, Colorado

by SDC Sentinel Staff
May 2, 2025

Following a distinguished Army career, local Army Ranger COL (R) Michael Foster has been selected for the 2025 Ranger Hall of Fame. Formed in 1992, the Ranger Hall of Fame (HOF) serves the exclusive purpose of honoring and preserving the contributions of America’s most extra-ordinary Rangers. Members of the Ranger HOF include noble warriors like Ranger and Medal of Honor recipient COL Ralph Puckett, General Stanley McChrystal, and General Colin Powell as well as honorary inductee President Abraham Lincoln.  1

Westcliffe’s COL Michael Foster will join their ranks with his induction into the storied Ranger Hall of Fame on Wednesday,
June 25, 2025.    “This honor reflects years of sacrifice, hard work, and an unwavering commitment to the Ranger Creed.
[Hall of Fame] inductees represent the very best of the Ranger spirit, exemplifying unparalleled leadership, dedication, and valor throughout their careers, ” stated a post from the US Army
Airborne Ranger Brigade.  2   

When asked how his selection impacted him, COL Foster stated, “Outside of Reggie and our girls, the privilege of serving in the Regiment has been the most profound impact of my life and an honor that is hard to put into words.”

Colonel Michael Foster was nominated for the Ranger Hall of Fame due to his extraordinary Ranger service during numerous assignments in both the 75th Ranger Regiment and the Joint Special Operations Command in peacetime and combat.
Colonel Foster’s first assignment with the Rangers was as a Ranger Rifle Platoon Leader in 1993. He served at every rank from Lieutenant to Colonel in the Regiment and admirably led Rangers assigned to the 75th Ranger Regiment over the next nineteen years culminating with command of the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment.
Ranger Foster held a variety of Ranger leadership positions to include Ranger Rifle Platoon Leader, Ranger Rifle Company Commander, Joint Interagency Task Force Director (JIATF) Director (JSOC) and Ranger Battalion Commander with over 70 months deployed to combat in both Afghanistan and Iraq. Colonel Foster deployed numerous times to Operation Uphold Democracy, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Resolute Support, and Operation Atlantic Resolve.
COL (R) Foster served from the front in every capacity, personally participating in over 150 raids and commanding more than two thousand others. His efforts are also indicated by his countless awards including seven Bronze Stars, the Purple Heart and Ranger unit awards; Presidential Unit Citation with OLC, Valorous Unit Award with OLC, Joint Meritorious Unit Award and the Army Superior Unit Award. These unit awards highlight the Ranger Battalion’s combat overmatch of the enemy under Foster’s leadership.
When asked about Michael’s Purple Heart, his wife Reggie said, “I never thought it would be me answering the middle of the night phone call to learn my Ranger husband had been wounded while on a mission. I am so very proud of Michael and his Rangers. They were brought together for a time when things needed to be done, and they did it exceptionally well. Each gave 100 percent and then some. I am grateful for every single moment we were able to serve Rangers and their families. Michael shuns personal accolades and I am just so proud and excited for this one!!”

COL Foster commanded the first Ranger Battalion to be awarded the Presidential Unit Citation since World War II. In addition to his stellar Ranger service, Colonel Foster also lived the Abrams Charter with additional leadership in the 82nd Airborne Division as a Rifle Company Commander and Battalion Commander and as the Brigade Commander, 173d Airborne Brigade in Vincenza, Italy. Except for the Infantry Officer Advanced Course, CGSC, and the War College, COL Foster served continuously on airborne status for over 22 years as an Infantry Officer and qualified for his Master Wings three times over.
COL Foster built a multi-national and multi-agency alliance that included more than 65 different member organizations at its height. His work in establishing procedures, forcing cooperation and maximizing operational-intelligence fusion created what is viewed by many as the most productive and beneficial JIATF in the Global War on Terrorism. His work with JIATF-Main, showed its value and led it to be moved from Fort Bragg to Washington, DC and renamed the JIATF-NCR (National Capital Region) where it still exists and operates today, nearly 20 years later.
Since retiring, COL (R) Foster remains active in the commercial and private sector. He serves and supports several Ranger and Veterans organizations. Post retirement he was the Director of six of the National Outdoor Leadership Schools fifteen global campuses. He is requested for keynote addresses and conducts leadership training for organizations like the New Jersey State Police, FBI and Fortune 500 companies.

Ranger Foster supports his wife, Reggie, and their three daughters in their community activities. Reggie serves on several local boards with Michael’s support. You will see him in the top row of the CCHS bleachers cheering on his Bobcat daughters, Marin and Sierra. Foster’s oldest daughter, Marlee, a CCHS graduate, is attending Abilene Christian University.

 

Sources:

1. Ranger.org/Ranger Hall of Fame
2. US Army Ranger Training Brigade Facebook Page
3.  Foster’s Bio and conversations with the Foster’s