Colonel Benjamin S. Ringvelski USMC

​​Commanding Officer and Professor of Naval Science
Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Colonel Ringvelski graduated from Eastern Michigan University and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in August 1995. After completing The Basic School and U.S. Army Military Police Officer Course he reported to the Provost Marshal Office, MCAS Cherry Point and served as a Watch Commander, Flightline Security Officer and Operations Officer. In 1998, Colonel Ringvelski joined MWSS 271, serving as Military Police Platoon Commander, S-2, and S-3A. In April 1999 he deployed to Albania as a Civil Affairs Planner, Joint Task Force Shining Hope, providing humanitarian assistance to Kosovar refugees during Operations Shining Hope and Allied Harbor.

Assigned to the 31st MEU (SOC) in 2000, he served as Force Protection Officer and S-3A, completing four MEU (SOC) deployment cycles and deploying to East Timor in 2001 in support of Operation Stabilize. During 2002 Colonel Ringvelski assumed duties as Aide-de-Camp to the Commanding General, 3d MEB deploying to numerous countries in the western pacific in preparation for Noncombatant Evacuation Operations and in support of the PACOM Commander’s Theater Security Cooperation Plan. Concurrently he served as Flag Aide to the Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 7 and was designated a “Plank Owner”.

In 2004 Colonel Ringvelski completed the Expeditionary Warfare School and a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Boston University. He deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedon as the MP Company Commander, 1st FSSG. In April 2005, he deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, as Executive Assistant and Aide-de-Camp to the Commander, Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa. During 2006 he assumed the duties of Provost Marshal, MCB Camp Pendleton. In June 2008, he was transferred to MCAS Cherry Point to serve as Director of Security & Emergency Services. In 2009, Colonel Ringvelski deployed to the Helmand Province of Afghanistan, serving as the Force Protection Officer and Persistent Surveillance Systems Program Manager, 2d MEB. Upon his return, he served as Executive Officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, MCAS Cherry Point.

In 2010, Colonel Ringvelski was assigned to the Joint Center for International Security Force Assistance, The Joint Staff where he served as a policing and rule of law analyst and an advisor instructor trainer to NATO training centers. In 2011, he deployed to Afghanistan as a security force assistance specialist and liaison to the Commander, International Security Assistance Force and NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan. In August 2013 he was transferred to Security Battalion, MCB Quantico for duties as the Battalion Executive Officer, subsequently assuming command in October 2013.

In 2015, Colonel Ringvelski was selected as an embedded international fellow in the Naval Command College, comprised of 49 international students attending the Naval War College where he also earned a Masters Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. Following graduation from the College of Naval Warfare in 2016, he was assigned as the Future Operations Officer, G-3/5, Marine Forces Reserve. In 2018 he was assigned to the Joint Staff J3 as the Global Force Management Branch Chief. He assumed his current position in July 2021.

Colonel Ringvelski’s personal awards include: the Defense Superior Service Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (oak leaf cluster in lieu of second award), Meritorious Service Medal (gold star in lieu of fourth award), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (gold star in lieu of second award), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.