Ryan J. Bulger
MacDill AFB
Summary
Dynamic leader with 23+ years of experience in leading complex organizations, driving strategy, and advising top decision-makers. I have served as a Chief Executive of a 700+ person organization, the Chief Operations Officer or a 12,000 person organization.
Most recently, I served as a senior advisor to the Commander of US Central Command during one of the most volatile periods in the Middle East. In that capacity I authored national-level assessments, prepared Congressional testimony, and advised on operations spanning 21 countries.
I have deep experience as an operational and strategic-level planner, graduating from the Department of Defense's premier planning school (SAMS) as well as completing the US Army War College Fellowship at the University of Washington. I have served for over 10 years in assignments where I operated in Joint, Interagency, Multinational environments and possess significant experience leading diverse teams with differing objectives.
I hold a Top Secret/SCI clearance and advanced degrees in Strategic Studies, Adult Education, and Kinesiology. I’m now pursuing opportunities where I can leverage my background in strategy, operations, and transformation to help teams innovate, execute, and thrive.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Director, Commander's Action Group
United States Central Command
03.2023 - Current
- Served as principal advisor to a 4-star General responsible for all US Military Operations in the Middle East, delivering strategic analysis, engagement preparation, and executive recommendations.
- Developed strategic assessments and and recommendations influencing national-level policy decisions.
- Provided assessments and advice to prepare the principal during hundreds of engagements with national-level leadership, to include the Secretary of Defense and President of the United States.
- Prepared the principal for over 25 engagements with Congressional leadership, to include six open and closed hearings before the Senate and House Armed Services Committee
- Directed planning and execution for 100+ multinational engagements, including Heads of State and Chiefs of Defense from 20+ nations.
- Served as the primary speech writer for over 20 public speaking engagements ranging from the Council of Foreign Relations to commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Invasion of Normandy.
US Army War College Fellow
Jackson School of International Studies, University of Washington
07.2022 - 03.2023
- Visiting scholar at the Jackson School of International Studies, conducting independent research on global security, leadership, and strategy.
- Produced executive-level studies integrating public policy, organizational leadership, and international affairs.
- Built a network across faculty, students, and military leaders to inform and educate graduate and undergraduate students.
- Contributed to research activities by providing subject matter expert input based on professional expertise, practice, experience, and qualifications.
Chief Operations Officer (Division G3)
7th Infantry Division
06.2021 - 07.2022
- Directed daily operations and long-range planning for a 12,000-person enterprise composed of multiple units with a geographic focus on the Indo-Pacific region.
- Managed synchronization of strategic objectives and resources from corporate headquarters (US Army Forces Command and US Army Pacific) through subordinate organizations.
- Oversaw long-range planning, training, and resource alignment in support of enterprise-wide priorities.
- Optimized the organizational design of the Operations and Plans directorate in order to optimize resources, objectives, and personnel.
Chief Executive Officer (Squadron Commander)
1st Squadron, 3d Cavalry Regiment
05.2019 - 04.2021
- CEO-equivalent of a 725-person organization; accountable for overall strategy, operations, compliance, and budget execution.
- Drove organizational transformation, leadership development, and workforce readiness initiatives.
- Directed budget and asset management, employee development, and operational execution across domestic and international projects.
Plans Officer & Branch Chief
United States Central Command
08.2016 - 05.2019
- Senior planner for global contingency operations, leading cross-functional teams in strategy design and implementation.
- Coordinated multinational planning efforts, integrating multiple headquarters, government agencies, and international stakeholders.
- Led multiple crisis action planning teams to confront emergent national-level priorities. Synchronized strategic effects across multiple services and governmental agencies.
- Prepared written strategic assessments and recommendations for a 4-Star General Officer to provide to the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Secretary of Defense.
Chief of Staff (Brigade Executive Officer)
1-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division
03.2015 - 07.2016
- Chief of Staff for a 4,500-person enterprise with multiple business units and a $60M annual budget.
- Directed staff of 200+ professionals, overseeing daily operations, maintenance of $2B in assets, and executive-level reporting.
- Implemented process improvements that enhanced organizational efficiency and accountability.
- Executed distributed operations with subordinate units spread across multiple countries while simultaneously preparing the organization for the Army's premier training and certification event.
Director of Operations (Battalion S3)
1-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division
09.2014 - 03.2015
- Led operations and training management for a 700-person organization.
- Oversaw operational planning, scheduling, and organizational readiness, ensuring alignment with enterprise-level objectives.
- Mentored and developed a staff of 17 direct reports, cultivating future leaders and improving team performance.
- Managed operational risk through proactive assessment, scenario planning, and mitigation strategies.
Operational Planner
I Corps, US Army Pacific
06.2013 - 09.2014
- Principal planner in a global enterprise headquarters, managing operational design for multinational operations.
- Maintained strong relationships with joint and multinational partners, ensuring seamless coordination on joint initiatives operational plans.
- Conducted thorough risk assessments and developed contingency plans to minimize potential threats to operations.
- Increased operational efficiency by streamlining processes and implementing new planning strategies.
Education
Master of Science - Kinesiology
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA05-2002
Master of Science - Adult And Continuing Education
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS12-2012
Master's of Military Arts And Science - Military Theater Operations
US Army School of Advanced Military Studies
Ft Leavenworth05-2013
Skills
- Strategic planning
- Verbal and written communication
- Decision-making
- Organizational Leadership
- Cross-Functional Team Leadership
- Budget & Resource Optimization
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Executive Decision Support
- Operations & Program Management
- Risk Management
- Crisis Management
Timeline
Director, Commander's Action Group
United States Central Command
03.2023 - Current
US Army War College Fellow
Jackson School of International Studies, University of Washington
07.2022 - 03.2023
Chief Operations Officer (Division G3)
7th Infantry Division
06.2021 - 07.2022
Chief Executive Officer (Squadron Commander)
1st Squadron, 3d Cavalry Regiment
05.2019 - 04.2021
Plans Officer & Branch Chief
United States Central Command
08.2016 - 05.2019
Chief of Staff (Brigade Executive Officer)
1-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division
03.2015 - 07.2016
Director of Operations (Battalion S3)
1-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division
09.2014 - 03.2015
Operational Planner
I Corps, US Army Pacific
06.2013 - 09.2014
Master of Science - Kinesiology
Louisiana State University
Master of Science - Adult And Continuing Education
Kansas State University
Master's of Military Arts And Science - Military Theater Operations
US Army School of Advanced Military Studies
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