Marion Military Institute cadets are welcoming a speaker on Wednesday whose leadership experience may provide perspective on their future in military service.

Col. John W. Thompson, Commander, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) will address the MMI Corps of Cadets, faculty and staff at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

President of MMI Col. David J. Mollahan, USMC (Ret) said Thompson’s experience and leadership will instill in the cadets the importance of having good character.

“We are proud to have Col. Thompson here today to speak for our Honor and Respect Distinguished Speaker Program,” Mollahan said.

“His incredible leadership and operational experience will provide our cadets a first-hand account of just how important it is to learn and develop character and leadership skills here at MMI that will one day provide them great success in life, and success as the next generation of military or civilian leaders for our country.”

Thomson, a native of Augusta, Ga. was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army upon graduation from North Georgia College in 1987.Thompson is a combat veteran of operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and has multiple deployments in support of Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.Thompson’s military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal with numeral two, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Combat Action Badge, the Master Army Aviator Badge, the Parachutist Badge and the Air Assault Badge.