Major General Joseph A. Ricciardi was commissioned through the United States Military Academy in 1990. He earned a master’s in strategic studies from the Army War College, an MBA from Purdue University and a PhD from Benedictine University. He assumed command of the 88th Readiness Division, headquartered at Fort Snelling, Minn., and Fort McCoy, Wis. on July 20, 2024.
Major General Ricciardi has served in a variety of military assignments spanning his career of more than 34 years. His command assignments include the 303rd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Fort Shafter, Hawaii; 3rd Battalion, 304th Infantry Regiment, Saco, Maine; 605th Engineer Detachment, Darien, Illinois; 863rd Engineer Battalion, Darien, Illinois; and A/863rd Engineer Battalion, Kankakee, Illinois.
His other assignments include Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Installation Management Command, Director of Operations, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G9, Department of the Army, Deputy Commanding General, 81st Readiness Division, Fort Jackson, South Carolina; Deputy Chief of Staff, G3, 416th Theater Engineer Command, Darien, Illinois; Deputy Chief of Staff, G7, 9th Mission Support Command, Fort Shafter, Hawaii; Deputy Brigade Commander, 3rd Brigade, 104th Division, Fort Belvoir, Virginia; and Assistant Professor of Military Science, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana.
His operational deployments include serving as the Operations and Logistics Officer for Combined Joint Task Force 180 from November 2002 to June 2003 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan; Operations and Intelligence Officer for the 172nd Corps Support Group in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq; and Commander of the 863rd Engineer Battalion, Task Force Linebacker, from October 2010 to August 2011 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan.
His military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and Army Staff Identification Badge.