Michael Joseph Little is a nationally recognized voice for America’s service members, veterans and military families. A retired U.S. Navy Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Handler, he served from 2003 to 2021, completing two combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan with the U.S. Army’s Military Police as an Individual Augmentee. His awards include the Army Commendation Medal, Army & Navy Achievement Medals, and numerous campaign and unit citations. He is qualified in both Air and Surface Warfare.  In 2024, the United States Navy corrected his record to recognize his combat-related disabilities and awarded him a full combat-related medical retirement, retroactive to April 2016.

Michael currently serves as the National Executive Director of the Chief Warrant and Warrant Officers Association of the U.S. Coast Guard, and Interim Executive Director of the Navy Mustang Association. In 2022, he was promoted to Honorary Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Coast Guard by the 13th MCPOCG Jason Vanderhaden. In 2024, he was further honored with advancement to Honorary Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy by the 16th MCPON, James Honea. He also holds the honorary title of Chief Warrant Officer 4 (USCG) and was commissioned a Kentucky Colonel by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Andy Beshear.

As a policy advocate, Michael has contributed to over 4,000 pieces of federal and state legislation affecting veterans and service members. His work helped pass landmark measures including the Jacob Sexton Military Suicide Prevention Act and Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act. He has also contributed to Supreme Court amicus briefs defending veterans’ rights, earning recognition from Chief Justice John Roberts.

Michael is a Life Member and National Secretary of the Aviation Boatswain’s Mates Association, National Secretary and founding member of the US Navy Chief Petty Officers Association, founding member of the Sea Service Family Foundation and Consulting, and has held senior advocacy roles with the Association of the U.S. Navy and the Republican National Committee.

A proud Catholic and Master Mason, he is a 32° Scottish Rite member, a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus, and a Noble of Shriners International. Originally from McLeansboro, Illinois, Michael is a graduate of Rend Lake College and Western Illinois University. He lives in Fairview, Pennsylvania with his wife Elizabeth, a retired U.S. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer, and their two children William and Mary — affectionately known as “The Admiral” and “The Commodore.”

Michael lives by the values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment—proving that leadership and service are defined by impact, not rank.