Erich Schneider

COL Erich B. Schneider is a native of Milwaukie, OR. He graduated from Texas A&M University in 2001 as a distinguished military graduate and was commissioned as an Infantry Officer in the U.S. Army. 

COL Schneider served as a Rifle Platoon Leader and Support Platoon Leader in 2-325 AIR, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, NC. In 2003, he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Upon graduation from the Infantry Captains Career Course in 2005, COL Schneider was assigned to 3-2 SBCT at Fort Lewis, WA. He served as a Brigade Assistant S3 before taking command of C Co, 52nd Infantry Regiment in December 2005. In June 2006, he deployed his company in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

In 2007, COL Schneider was assigned to 2nd Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. In January 2008, he deployed to Iraq as a Battle Captain for a Special Operations Joint Task Force. In November 2009, he assumed command of A Co, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment and deployed his company to Afghanistan two times, serving as a Ground Force Commander. In May 2011, he was assigned to the 75th Ranger Regiment Staff at Fort Benning, GA as the Regimental Assistant S3 and deployed to Afghanistan as a Chief of Current Operations in a Special Operations Joint Task Force.  

In January 2014, COL Schneider was assigned as the Battalion Executive Officer of 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 1-4 SBCT at Fort Carson, CO. In May 2015, he was assigned as the Brigade S3 of 1-4 SBCT. 

In March 2016, COL Schneider was assigned to the Joint Staff at the Pentagon in the Deputy Directorate for Special Operations and Counterterrorism (J-37) as an Action Officer. 

In July 2018, COL Schneider assumed command of 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 1BCT, 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, NY. In February 2020, he deployed to Afghanistan as the Security Forces Battalion Commander at Kandahar Airfield.

In May 2021, COL Schneider became the Department Chair and Professor of Military Science at Arizona State University.  

COL Schneider’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (3 OLC), Purple Heart, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3 OLC), Army Commendation Medal with V-Device (2x awards), Army Commendation Medal (2 OLC), Joint Service Achievement Medal (1 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (1 OLC), Senior Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab, Expert Infantryman Badge, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge.

COL Schneider is married to the former Miss Valerie Abati from Conneaut Lake, PA. They have two children, Brayden (8) and Kendall (7).