Col. Ralph J. Rizzo, Jr.

Colonel Rizzo is a native of Charlestown, Massachusetts, and graduated from Western New England College in 1989 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Criminal Justice. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and graduated from MCRD Parris Island, South Carolina, in 1990 and reported to the School of Infantry where he attained the MOS of 0341 Mortarman.

Colonel Rizzo received orders to Marine Barracks Ground Defense Force, Subic Bay, Philippines where he participated in Operation Fiery Vigil in June 1991. Upon deactivation of Marine Barracks, Subic Bay, he received orders to 1st Marine Division, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines as an 81mm Mortar Platoon Section Leader in 1992. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 1993 and reenlisted in June of 1994. In August 1994 he was accepted for the Enlisted Commissioning Program and reported to OCS where he graduated TBS in the top 10% and reported to Infantry Officers School receiving the MOS of 0302. He served in 1/3 where he held the billets of Infantry Platoon Commander, 81mm Mortar Platoon Commander, Weapons Company Executive Officer, and Weapons Company Commanding Officer through November 1998.

Colonel Rizzo accepted augmentation in November 1998 and reported to Logistics Officer School at Camp Johnson, North Carolina, where he was promoted to Captain in January 1999. He reported for duty as the Camp Johnson Area/Marine Corps Combat Service Support Schools S-4 Officer from March 1999 through March 2002. He later received orders to 2nd Maintenance Battalion, 2nd Force Service Support Group and assumed duty as Company Commander for Forward Maintenance Company Bravo in July 2002 where he deployed his company to Southwest Asia in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM in 2003. He then deployed as an individual augmentee to Afghanistan assigned as the Battle Major/Senior Watch Officer for CJTF-76 in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM-1 where he was promoted to Major in October 2004. He was selected to command Recruiting Station Detroit, Michigan where he completed a three-year tour in July 2009.

In August 2009, he attended the U.S. Naval War College graduating in the top 10% receiving a master’s degree and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in October 2010 and took command of Combat Logistics Battalion-6. Upon returning with CLB-6 from Afghanistan (OEF 11.2) he was selected to attend the Marine Corps War College in July 2012. In August 2013, he reported to the Joint Fires Division, J6, CJCS, where he completed a three-year tour. In June 2016, he was assigned to Headquarters Marine Corps, Plans Policies & Operations, as the Global Force Management Future Operations Officer. In June 2017, he deployed as the CJ4, CJTF-Horn of Africa and was promoted to his current rank in August 2017, before returning from deployment in May 2018. After serving as the commanding officer of Marine Corps Detachment Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, from June 2018 to July 2020, he assumed duties as AC/S G4, III Marine Expeditionary Force in July 2020. He was assigned as the III MEF Chief of Staff from June 2021 to July 2023. Colonel Rizzo was assigned duties as the MCIEAST-MCB Camp Lejeune Deputy Commander in August 2023 and later attended the High Command and Staff Course at the United Kingdom Defence Academy until April 2024.

Colonel Rizzo assumed the duties of commander for MCIEAST-MCB Camp Lejeune in May 2024.