The Institute of World Politics welcomes LTC Rick Ullian as a 2012-13 US Army War College Fellow. While at IWP, LTC Ullian will participate in the academic life of the Institute and share his experience with IWP’s faculty, students, and community.
LTC Rick Ullian was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Field Artillery after graduating from UCLA in 1991. He was first assigned to the 10th Mountain Division where he served as a Company Fire Support Officer during Operation Restore Hope, Somalia and then as the Commander of the 10th Field Artillery Detachment in support of Operation Uphold Democracy, Haiti. After completing the Infantry Officer’s Advance Course, he commanded a Battery in the 3rd Infantry Division, served as a Battalion Fire Support Officer for the 2nd Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, worked as the Aide-de-Camp for the Commander of the United States Army South (USARSO) and then Commanded USARSO’s Headquarters Company. Following attendance at the Navy’s Command General Staff College in 2003, LTC Ullian was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) where he served as the Brigade Fire Support Officer for the 101st Attack Aviation Brigade in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (Mosul). He was then re-assigned to the newly formed 506th Infantry Regiment where he served as the Battalion Operations Officer and Executive Officer for 4-320th Field Artillery Regiment and deployed for a second time in support Operation Iraqi Freedom (Baghdad). In the summer of 2007 LTC Ullian moved to the Joint Staff where he worked in the J-3 as an Operations Officer in the Global Operations Division. Following his assignment on the Joint Staff, LTC Ullian returned to the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) where took command of 3-320th Field Artillery Regiment and led a 1200 Soldier task force responsible for the strategically important border province of Khowst, Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. After command, LTC Ullian served one year as a Current Operations Officer on the Army Staff before arriving at the Institute of World Politics where he now works as an Army Fellow.
LTC Rick Ullian holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from UCLA and a Master’s Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College. He is a graduate of the Field Artillery Officer’s Basic Course, the Infantry Officer’s Advance Course, the Combined Arms Service and Staff School, the Joint Firepower Control Course and the Navy’s Command and General Staff College. Additionally, he has completed the Airborne, Air Assault, Ranger, and Jungle Warfare training courses.
LTC Ullian’s awards and decorations include the Soldier’s Medal for Heroism, the Bronze Star Medal for Valor, the Bronze Star Medal for Service (2 OLC), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (4 OLC), Army Commendation Medal (3 OLC), Navy Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, NATO Meritorious Service Medal, NATO ISAF Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service and Expeditionary Medals, National Defense Service Medal with bronze star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with bronze star, Armed Forces Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, the Ranger Tab, the Air Assault Badge, the Parachutist Badge, the German Parachutist Badge and the Combat Action Badge.
LTC Ullian is married to the former Diana Pernudi of Los Angeles, California. They have two sons: Channon (17) and Conner (13).
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