CW5 Robert Ryder currently serves as the Command Chief Warrant Officer of the Military Intelligence Readiness Command (MIRC), Fort Belvoir, Virginia. A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he enlisted in the United States Army Reserve in December 1991 as a Signals Intelligence Analyst and reclassified to Order of Battle Analyst in 1995. He was appointed as an All-Source Intelligence Technician in February 2003.
CW5 Ryder has over three decades of joint, multi-echelon intelligence experience serving in key operational and leadership positions from platoon through corps and national-level organizations. His assignments include service with the 128th Military Intelligence Battalion (CEWI), multiple Defense Intelligence Agency elements at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Detachment 7, 3100th Strategic Intelligence Group at Fort Belvoir, the 902nd Military Intelligence Brigade at Fort Meade, the National Ground Intelligence Center in Charlottesville, and the Joint Staff J2 at the Pentagon.
Prior to assuming his current position, CW5 Ryder served as a senior technical advisor supporting the Army Intelligence Data Platform (AIDP) within the Ground Intelligence Support Activity under U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command.
His operational experience includes deployments to Baghdad, Iraq, in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn, serving with the U.S. Forces-Iraq J2 and III Armored Corps.
CW5 Ryder holds a Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Evolution from the University of Pittsburgh, a Master of Science in Biology from California University of Pennsylvania, and a Master of Science in Strategic Intelligence from the National Intelligence University. He is also certified through the Intelligence Community Advanced Analyst Program (ICAAP).
CW5 Ryder’s military education includes the Command Chief Warrant Officer Orientation Course, Warrant Officer Senior Staff Education, Warrant Officer Intermediate Level Education, the Warrant Officer Advanced Course, and the Military Intelligence Warrant Officer Basic Course. Prior to his appointment as a Warrant Officer, he completed several advanced intelligence analysis and NCO leadership courses.
CW5 Ryder’s awards and decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and the Joint Meritorious Unit Award.