Kurt J. Ryan

Major General Kurt J. Ryan is a serving general officer in the United States Army and the 20th commanding general of the U.S. Army's Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command. Previously, he served as the 39th Chief of Ordnance for the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps and Commandant of the U.S. Army Ordnance School at Fort Lee, Virginia.

Military education
Ryan received his bachelor's degree from York College in Pennsylvania and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Ordnance Corps in 1987. He is a graduate of the Combined Logistics Officer Advanced Course, the Logistics Executive Development Course, the Command and General Staff College and the United States Army War College.

Military career
MG Ryan has participated in numerous operations in defense of freedom and liberty. Most notably, he deployed to the first Gulf War in Kuwait and Iraq (1990-1991); served in Germany (1992-1996); participated in peace enforcement operations in Bosnia and Croatia (1996); participated in the campaign to liberate Iraq (2003); assisted in the rescue, relief and recovery of suffering U.S. citizens in New Orleans following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita (2005); served in Afghanistan with a Combined and Joint Task Force (CJTF-82) and NATO International Security and Assistance Force (ISAF) (2007-2008), and returned for a short deployment to Afghanistan and Kuwait with the 1st Sustainment Command, Theater (TSC) and the 143rd Sustainment Command, Expeditionary (2009). His last service in Afghanistan (2011-12) was as Commander, 10th Sustainment Brigade, headquartered in Bagram. He subsequently served the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Logistics and Material Readiness in the Office of the Secretary of Defense (2012-13). He was also the Commanding General for the 593rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) (2013-15). He served as the 39th Chief of Ordnance and the United States Army Ordnance School Commandant at Fort Lee, Virginia (2015-16).

On June 16, 2016, Major General Kurt J. Ryan became the 20th commanding general of the U.S. Army's Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command.

MG Ryan spent the majority of his career in tactical formations, twice serving as a Paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division, two tours with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), a tour in Germany with the 1st Armored Division, and duty in with the 10th Mountain Division, (Light Infantry). He commanded on five occasions; as a company commander in the 1st Armored Division, as a battalion commander in the 82nd Airborne Division, as a Sustainment Brigade Commander in support of the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), as the Commander of the 593rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), and as the 39th Chief of Ordnance and Ordnance School Commandant.

Awards and decorations
BG Ryan’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit w/OLC, Bronze Star Medal w/ OLC, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal w/ OLC, and the Army Meritorious Service Medal w/ 5 OLC. He proudly wears the Master Parachutist Badge, the Air Assault Badge, and the Ranger tab.