Congratulations, and maybe a hearty slap on the back, is in order for Lt. Col. Mike Goforth as the Meridian High School Wildcat graduate earns a new assignment as the Command Readiness Officer at the 377th Theater Sustainment Command (TSC) in Belle Chasse, Louisiana.

    Like most promotions and new responsibilities, Goforth will have his hands full as he said he is responsible for implementing the U.S. Army’s new supply-based Army Force Generation process. Goforth said this ARFORGEN process covers a staggering number of units within the 377th TSC — 450 plus units.

    “ARFORGEN is a model for the structured progression of readiness over time,” Goforth said through a statement released by the 377th TSC. “It synchronizes, manning and equipping capabilities with increased levels of training and establishes the basis to support programming and budget execution.”

    Goforth is a graduate of Meridian High School, class of 1983, and the son of Judy and Cecil Goforth of Fellowship. His brother Cecil Vann Goforth lives in Meridian and his sister, Stacy Renee’ Spencer lives in Kingsport, Tennessee. Goforth has three children, Nicolas, 12, Andrew, 11, and Delaney, 8.

    In addition to his recent promotion, Goforth was also selected to attend the Reserve Components National Security Course (RCNSC). The RCNSC is a two-week seminar offered to senior officers and non-commissioned officers of the U.S. Reserve Components, allied officers and select civilians working in national security.

    “The RCNSC is designed to lay a foundation for students moving on to joint command management and staff responsibilities in a multinational, intergovernmental, or joint national security setting,” Goforth said. “The curriculum consists of lectures, panel discussions, seminars, on-site visits and a simulation exercise dealing with national security policy and defense resource management.”

    The presenters are faculty members of the National War College, the Industrial College of the Armed Forces (ICAF), the Information Resource Management College (IRMC), and other distinguished speakers.

    On Nov. 6, 2011, Goforth was awarded his fourth Meritorious Service medal for his achievements at his last assignment as the Deputy Chief of Operations and Plans, Deployment Support Command, Birmingham, Alabama. Other recent assignments include 599th Transportation Brigade Plans Officer, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; 598th Transportation Brigade, Chief — Command Operation Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; and Battalion Executive Officer, Iraq.

    Goforth has been awarded the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service medal, Army Commendation medal, Army Achievement medal and the Humanitarian Service medal for his support during Hurricane Katrina relief operations.