Ryan McLaughlin

Ryan McLaughlin is an active duty Army Lieutenant Colonel. Originally from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, he commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program in 2004.

Ryan’s first assignment took him to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where he was assigned to 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). During his time with the Bastogne Brigade, Ryan deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from September 2005 to September 2006 and from October 2007 to October 2008. During this time, he served as a 
Platoon Leader, an Executive Officer and in staff positions at the battalion and brigade levels.

Following the Captain’s Career Course, Ryan returned to Fort Campbell and the Bastogne Brigade where he assumed command of Bravo Company, 2-327 Infantry from November 2009 to June 2011, which included deploying the unit to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from May 2010 to May 2011. Ryan was then selected to serve as the Aide-de-Camp to the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Commander.

Ryan attended the Air Force’s Air Command and Staff College from August 2014 to May 2015 and was then assigned to III Corps at Fort Hood, Texas, where he deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve from August 2015 to August 2016. Upon his return to The Great Place, Ryan served as the Battalion S-3 for 2nd Squadron, 3d Cavalry Regiment from August 2016 to May 2018.

After completing his key developmental time as a Major, Ryan was selected to serve as the Senior Speechwriter for the Chief of Staff of the Army with duty at the Pentagon beginning in May 2018. In April 2020, LTC McLaughlin was subsequently selected for a joint assignment as the Military Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.

Most recently, Ryan commanded the 4th Battalion, 23d Infantry Regiment as part of 2nd Stryker Brigade at Joint Base Lewis McChord, Washington from June 2022 until June 2024.

Ryan’s education includes a Master’s Degree in Geological Engineering from Missouri University of Science and Technology, a Master’s of Military Arts and Sciences from the Air Force Command and Staff College, and an undergraduate degree in Political Science from Rhodes College. His major awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, and the Expert Infantryman’s Badge. Ryan is a graduate of Ranger School, the Basic Airborne Course, and the Air Assault Course.