Col. Christopher James Ricci

Colonel Christopher Ricci is currently a student at the United States Army War College. He was commissioned as an armor office in 2002 following graduation from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University R.O.T.C. in Daytona Beach, FL. His first assignment was as a Cavalry Platoon Leader with 2nd Squadron, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment in Fort Polk, LA from 2003-2004. From 2004-2005 Colonel Ricci serves as a Brigade Operations Officer in 1st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (Provisional), Fort Polk, LA where he branch transferred to the infantry. Following graduation from the Maneuver Captains Career Course, Colonel Ricci served as a military advisor to 3-2 Commando Brigade, Iraqi National Police from 2006-2007. Following advisor duties he commanded B Company, 1st Battalion 16th Infantry Division in Fort Riley, KS from 2007-2010. Upon completion of this tour Colonel Ricci attended Intermediate-Level Education at U.S. Army Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, KS from 2010-2011. After completing Intermediate-Level Education, Colonel Ricci served as a CJ35 Future Operations Planner for International Security Assistance Force Joint Command in Kabul, Afghanistan from 2011-2012. He then served as a G35 Future Operations Planner for I Corps at JBLM, WA executing the Re-balance to the pacific from 2012-2013, culminating with JTF Certification in Talisman Saber 13. Upon completion of this tour, he was assigned as the Operations Officer and Executive Officer for 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade (Stryker), 2nd Infantry Division in JBLM, WA from 2013-2015. Next, he served as the J35 Future Operations Chief of Alaskan Command (USNORTHCOM) executing homeland defense and defense support of civil authority operations in JBER, AK from 2015-2018. Following his assignment in Alaska he took command of 2nd Battalion, 54th Infantry Regiment at Fort Benning, GA from 2018-2020, responsible for transforming civilians into Infantry Soldiers. Most recently Colonel Ricci commanded 1st Battalion, 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade at Fort Bragg, NC from 2020-2022, where he was responsible for developing foreign partner force capability across multiple African Armies.

Colonel Ricci's military training and education includes the Basic Airborne Course, Air Assault School, Pathfinder School, Ranger School, Combat Advisor Training Course, Northern Warfare Training School, the Armor Officer Basic Course, the Maneuver Captains' Career Course, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Joint and Combined Warfighting School, and the U.S. Army Military Historian Course. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, a Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University, and a Master of Military Art and Science from U.S. Army Command and General Staff College in Military History.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (2 OLC), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (4 OLC), Army Commendation Medal with Valor, Army Commendation Medal (1 OLC), Joint Service Achievement Medal (1 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (4 OLC), Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Combat Action Badge, Ranger Tab, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, the Pathfinder Badge, and the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (Gold).