Colonel Raul Medrano was commissioned into the U.S. Army in 2002 through the University of Texas at Austin ROTC. He began his career in the Field Artillery, serving with the 1st Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment in Babenhausen, Germany. He most recently served as the Deputy Commander-Sustainment for the Combined Special Operations Joint Task Force – Central.
After completing the Civil Affairs Qualification Course, Colonel Medrano joined the 95th Civil Affairs Brigade (Airborne) in 2008, serving as Team Leader, Company Commander, and Battalion Operations Officer.
His staff assignments include serving at the Army Human Resources Command as the Civil Affairs Branch Field Grade Assignment Officer and Executive Officer for the Army Special Operations Forces Division.
Colonel Medrano’s command and senior leadership roles include Army Forces Battalion Commander at Joint Task Force-Bravo (Honduras), Deputy Commanding Officer of the 95th Civil Affairs Brigade (Airborne), and Civil Affairs Branch Chief at Human Resources Command.
He has deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan and Trans Sahel), and Epic Fury.
Colonel Medrano holds a BS in Geography from UT Austin, an MS in Defense Analysis from the Naval Postgraduate School, and a Master of Strategic Studies from the Army War College. His military qualifications include Jumpmaster and SERE schools.
His awards include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Combat Action Badge, and Parachutist Badge.
A native of San Antonio, Texas, he has been married to his wife, Liv, for 24 years.