Captain Ryan Petrul graduated from the University of Michigan, Dearborn, where he earned a bachelor of arts in political science. He commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army in April 2016 as a field artillery officer. His first duty assignment was to 4-27 FA, 2nd Brigade, 1st Armored Division. He was attached to 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, and served as a troop fire support officer and squadron assistant fire support officer while deployed to Syria in support of Operation Inherent Resolve from 2017 to 2018. Following deployment, he was reassigned to B BTRY, 4-27 FA, where he served as a battery executive officer for a M109A6 (155mm) Self-Propelled Howitzer Battery. He then served as the executive officer for the Headquarters Support Company, 1st Armored Division.
In 2020, following the Field Artillery Captains Career Course, CPT Petrul was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. From October 2020 to January 2021, he served as the assistant S4 (logistics) for the 25th Infantry Division Artillery from October 2020 to January 2021. From February 2021 to April 2022, he served as the battalion fire support officer for 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team. From April 2022 to May 2023, CPT Petrul commanded B Battery, 2nd Battalion, 11th Field Artillery, a M119A3 (105mm) Towed Artillery unit. Following command, CPT Petrul served as the aide de camp to the commanding general of the 25th Infantry Division and US Army Hawaii from June 2023 to June 2024. In August 2024, CPT Petrul became the assistant professor of military science and operations officer for the Warrior Battalion at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø.
CPT Petrul’s awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (one Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Service Ribbon, Meritorious Unit Citation (2ABCT, 1 AD), Army Superior Unit Award (25th ID), Basic Parachutist Badge, and Jungle Operations Training Course.
CPT Petrul is married to his wife, Caitlin. They have three children: Lukas (age 5), Madison (age 3), and Evelyn (age 1).