Command Sgt. Maj. Ryan T. Bodmer is a native of Huntington Beach, California, and enlisted in the Army in November 1989. He completed Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training as a military policeman at Fort McClellan, Alabama. Bodmer served on active duty and in the California Army National Guard. As a military policeman, Bodmer held every enlisted leadership position from team leader to platoon sergeant. He completed a number of state and federal activations, culminating as the operations NCOIC of the 504th Military Police Brigade, Fort Lewis, Washington.
Bodmer joined the Army Reserve Civil Affairs community in November 2002. He completed the Civil Affairs Qualification Course at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and was subsequently assigned as the B Co., 425th Civil Affairs Battalion First Sergeant and deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Upon redeployment, he was reassigned to the 492nd Civil Affair Battalion where is served as the HHC First Sergeant. In 2007, Bodmer was reassigned to the 426th Civil Affairs Battalion (A)(SO) where he deployed twice as a Civil Affairs Team (CAT-A) Team Sergeant in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Kunar and Najaf Province, Afghanistan.
Bodmer is a certified Army Instructor and has taught at the Region IV NCO Academy, Military Police School, and as the Chief Instructor at the Civil Affairs Qualification Course at Fort Dix, New Jersey. He has held First Sergeant positions with the 492nd Civil Affairs Battalion, 425th Civil Affairs Battalion, and the 426th Civil Affairs Battalion (A)(SO) before ascending to the Senior Operations/Intel Sergeant Major with the 351st Civil Affairs Command. He was selected and completed tenures as the Command Sergeant Major for the 426th Civil Affairs Battalion (A)(SO) and the 364th Civil Affairs Brigade before his selection to serve as the Command Sergeant Major for the 351st Civil Affairs Command.
Bodmer’s military education includes all levels of the Noncommission Officer Education System, the Military Police Qualification Course, the Civil Affairs Qualification Course, Advanced CMO Planners Course, Small Group Instructor Course, Battle Focused Instructor Course, Small Arms Instructor Course, United States Army Advanced Airborne School - Jumpmaster Course, Battalion/Brigade Pre-Command Courses, Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Education, and he is a graduate of the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy (NR Class #46). Bodmer holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Human Health Sciences and Graduate Degrees in Public Administration and Organizational Leadership from Chapman University.
He has been recognized with the awards and decorations commensurate of a Senior Noncommissioned Officer with over 32 years of military service that include the Bronze Star Medal (2nd award), the Meritorious Service Medal (3rd award), Army Commendation Medal (3rd award) Army Achievement Medal (3rd award), and the Navy Achievement Medal (2nd award). He has earned the Master Parachutist Badge, Combat Action Badge, and the German Forces Parachutist Badge – Gold.
In his civilian career, Bodmer spent over 21 years as a law enforcement professional with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, ascending to the rank of Detective Sergeant. He is currently a Commander with the Riverside District Attorney’s Office – Bureau of Investigation overseeing the Regional Cold Case Homicide team and the Officer Use of Force teams.
Bodmer is married to his wife of 28 years, Tram, and they have three children together.