By Spc. Shelby Bickmore, 128th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
LEHI, Utah – Col. Michael Czipka retired from the Utah Army National Guard during a ceremony at Camp Williams on June 4, concluding a military career that spanned more than three decades of service in the U.S. Army and the 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
Czipka enlisted in the Army in 1995 before commissioning as an Infantry officer in 1999. He spent much of his commissioned service with the 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne), serving in a variety of leadership positions while supporting the unit’s special operations mission.
Throughout his career, Czipka completed numerous military education programs, including the Special Forces Officer Course, Infantry Officer Advanced Course and Logistics Officer Advanced Course. He also participated in several overseas deployments and mobilizations, including three deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom to Afghanistan, the Philippines and the Horn of Africa.
The ceremony recognized Czipka’s contributions to the Utah National Guard and the special operations community. Military leaders, Soldiers, family members and friends attended the event to mark the end of his service and reflect on his career.
Czipka earned multiple military awards and qualifications during his time in uniform, including the Special Forces Tab, Bangladesh, Korean, Tunisian and Moroccan parachutist wings, the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge, the Army Commendation Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters and the Army Achievement Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters. He also received numerous federal and state awards throughout his career.
Addressing those in attendance, Czipka focused on the values he sought to uphold as a leader rather than the positions he held.
“When people hear my name years from now, I don’t hope that they hear a rank or a position,” Czipka said. “I hope they remember that I treated people fairly. That I was transparent, that I accepted accountability and that I cared about people.”
His remarks highlighted themes of leadership, accountability and service that characterized the ceremony.
Czipka also recognized the support of his family, noting the sacrifices military service requires of spouses and children. Speaking directly to his daughter, he reflected on the qualities he admired in her and the lessons he learned through fatherhood.
“In many ways,” Czipka said, “what you do naturally is what leaders spend years trying to accomplish.”
The retirement ceremony formally marked the end of Czipka’s military service after more than 30 years in uniform, including operational deployments, leadership assignments and service with one of the Army National Guard’s special operations units.
