Major General Alan D. Bell

Major General Alan D. Bell was commissioned a Second Lieutenant from Michigan State University in 1969 after graduating with a bachelor of science degree in biology. Upon graduation from Armored Officer Basic Course, he served on active duty with the 1st Armored Division as a Platoon Leader and a Battalion Liaison Officer.

Major General Bell began his Army Reserve career in 1975 as the Assistant Civil Defense Officer, 310th Civil Affairs Group in Chamblee, Georgia with follow on assignments including: Training Officer in the 81st Army Reserve Command (ARCOM) in East Point, Georgia, Headquarters Commandant of the 81st ARCOM, Instructor in the Officer Advanced Course and  Operations Officer at 3283rd United States Army Reserve Forces School. He also served as Project Officer and then Executive Officer for the 449th Area Support Group (ASG), Forest Park, Georgia. He next commanded the 352nd Maintenance Battalion, Macon, Georgia. After Battalion Command, he served as Commander, 4th Brigade (Combat Service Support), 108th Division, Decatur, Georgia.  Following Brigade Command, he served as Chief of Staff, 108th Division.  He then served as the Commander, First Brigade, and Deputy Commanding General for the 87th Division (TS).  From February 2003 to August 2006, he served as the Commanding General of the 81st Regional Readiness Command. Major General Bell assumed the position of Deputy Chief, Army Reserve/Deputy Commanding General, Operations, Readiness, Training, and Mobilization, United States Army Reserve Command, on 21 August 2006.

His military schools include the Armor School Basic and Advanced Course at Fort Knox, Kentucky, the Civil Affairs Advanced Course, Military Intelligence Advanced Course, the Ordnance Maintenance Management Officer Advanced Course, the United States Army Command and General Staff College, and the U.S. Army War College. He also holds a master’s degree in public administration from Georgia State University.

His decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Soldiers Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal with Campaign Star, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Hourglass Device, Humanitarian Service Medal, the Ranger Tab, Parachutist Badge, and Air Assault Badge.

In recognition of the great credit his exemplary service, superior leadership, and dedication to duty has brought Michigan State University and the United States Army, Major General Alan D. Bell is inducted into the MSU Army ROTC Hall of Fame, this 21st day of April two thousand and nine, in the one hundred twenty-fifth year of Military Science at MSU.