Col. BENJAMIN C. PRY

COL Benjamin Pry was commissioned in the Army in December 2001 as an Infantry Officer. He was assigned to 1st BN 24th INF Regiment of 1/25th ID serving as a Stryker Infantry Platoon Leader and a Mortar Platoon Leader. After deploying to Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, he transitioned to Military Intelligence and was assigned to the 173rd (ABN) Brigade in Vicenza, Italy. He served as an Assistant Brigade S2 then as a battalion S2 for the 2nd BN 503 INF Regiment where he deployed to Afghanistan to support Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

In 2009, he was selected for and assigned to USASOC where he served as a Mission Commander, Detachment Commander, Company Commander, and Operations Officer deploying multiple times to support operations in the AFRICOM and CENTCOM areas of responsibility. In 2015, he transitioned to the Joint Interagency Task Force – National Capitol Region (JIATF- NCR) as the International and Interagency Partner Team leader. In 2016, he served as the group Executive Officer for the Joint Cyber Operations Group.

In 2019, he was selected as the J2 for the JIATF-NCR and deployed as the Task Force J2 multiple times supporting operations in the AFRICOM, CENTCOM, EUCOM, and PACOM areas of responsibility. He then served as a Battalion Commander within USASOC before attending the Naval War College. He is currently serving as the J2 Director of Intelligence for Special Operations Command South supporting SOUTHCOM.

COL Pry’s military education and training include: Basic Airborne Course, Infantry Officer’s Basic Course, Ranger School, Infantry Mortar Leader’s Course, Tactical SIGINT/EW Officer’s Basic Course, CI/HUMINT Operations Management, SERE School, A&S/OTC, Basic Military Freefall Course, Intermediate Leader’s Education at the U.S. ARMY Command and General Staff College, and the Naval War College.

Additionally, he earned a bachelor’s in Mathematics and Computer Science, a master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies, and a master’s certificate in Leadership and Ethics.

COL Pry’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (3), Purple Heart, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (3), Meritorious Service Medal (2), Joint Service Commendation Medal (2), Army Commendation Medal (2, Valor Device), Army Achievement Medal (2), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (with Campaign Star), Iraq Campaign Medal (with Campaign Star), Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon (4), NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman, Action, and Military Freefall badges.

COL Pry is married to the former Ani Lekaj of Elbasen, Albania. They have an 19-year-old son Carter and a 13-year-old daughter Mira.