Lieutenant Colonel Joseph O. Ritter

Battalion Commander

Lieutenant Colonel Joseph O. Ritter began his military career in the Army Reserves on 4 June 1987 as a Heavy Construction Equipment Mechanic (63B10) in the 348th Transportation Battalion, Houston, Texas and 7/6 Air Cavalry Regiment, Conroe, Texas. He later received his commission as a Second Lieutenant, Quartermaster branch detailed Infantry from Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas on 14 August 1992.

Lieutenant Colonel Ritter previous assignments include Chief, Distribution Integration Branch, Support Operations, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, Fort Shafter, Hawaii since 19 January 2010. Executive Officer for 325 Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii since July 2008 and deployed to OIF VII from October 2008 to October 2009. Battalion S-3, 325th Brigade Support Battalion from January 2008 to July 2008. Supply and Services Officer, G-4, 25th Infantry Division from May 2006 to December 2008 during a 15-month deployment to OIF V. Inspector General, White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico from November 2002 to June 2005. Company Commander, Houston North Recruiting Company from November 2000 to October 2002. Troop Commander, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, Regimental Support Squadron (RSS), 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Polk, Louisiana from April 1999 to October 2000 and Assistant Operations Officer (AS3) through the train-up and 12-month deployment to Bosnia from September 1997 to July 1998 with the Regimental Support Squadron. Fuel and Water Platoon Leader, Executive Officer in Alpha Company, 46th Support Battalion, and as a Rifle Platoon Leader in C Company, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment (Manchu), 1st Brigade, 6th Infantry Division (Light), Fort Wainwright Alaska from June 1993 to August 1996.

Lieutenant Colonel Ritter is a graduate of the Command and General Staff College (August 2005 to May 2006), Cavalry Leaders Course, the Combined Logistics Officer’s Advanced Course, Petroleum Officer’s Course, the Quartermaster Branch Transition Course, the Infantry Officer’s Basic Course , Airborne School, Air Assault School, and Ranger School.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Meritorious Unit Citation with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, the NATO Medal, the National Defense Medal with Bronze Star, the Combat Action Badge, Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Basic Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and the Ranger Tab.