Fort Riley Garrison Commander Gerald "Jerry" Nunziato
Colonel Gerald “Jerry” Nunziato, Jr commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps at Youngstown State University in 2000. He served as an Armor and Signal Corps Officer before transitioning to a Special Operations Civil Affairs Officer in 2007.
COL Nunziato has held numerous leadership positions at every level, ranging from Platoon Leader through Deputy Brigade Command, serving in a wide spectrum of assignments from tactical to strategic level commands. His career has spanned both conventional and special operations, with joint assignments in NATO and JSOC. His overseas assignments include South Korea and Turkey, with multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Jerry’s education includes a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and graduate degrees from the University of Maryland Global Campus (M.A. Management) and the National Defense University’s College of International Security Affairs (M.A. Strategic Security Studies, with a focus on Irregular Warfare). His military education includes the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center (USJFKSWC) Regional Studies Course - Africa, USJFKSWC Unconventional Warfare Design, and French language training. He is also a graduate of the Static Line Jumpmaster Course.
COL Nunziato’s awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Combat Action Badge, and Senior Parachutist Badge. He has also been recognized as a Distinguished Member of the 502nd Infantry Regiment.