Colonel Samuel Nirenberg

Colonel Samuel "Joe" Nirenberg hails from the state of Rhode Island. His wife Angela and their 6 children are his biggest supporters.

Colonel Nirenberg graduated from the University of South Florida in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and was later commissioned as a Field Artillery Second Lieutenant through the university's ROTC program. He holds a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, a Master of Arts in Management and Leadership from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri, and a Master of Arts in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania

Colonel Nirenberg's previous assignments include Field Artillery Branch Chief United States Army Human Resources Command, Fort Knox, KY; Commander 1st Battalion 5th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas; Chief of Targeting, NATO Rapid Deployable CORPS Spain, Valencia, Spain; and Operations Officer, 1st Armored Division Artillery (1AD DIVARTY), Fort Bliss, TX. He has served in additional key and developmental assignments at the Company and Field Grade levels at Fort Bragg, NC; Schofield Barracks, HI; Fort Sill, OK; and Shaw AFB, SC.

His military education includes successful completion of the Field Artillery Officer Basic and Captains Career Courses, College of Naval Command and Staff and the United States Army War College.

His combat deployments include tours in Iraq (2004, 2007-2008) and Qatar (2011-2012, 2013).

His awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal with two Campaign Stars, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals, Humanitarian Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral 3, Combat Action badge, and Parachutist Badge.