Mark G. Zwirgzdas

CPT Zwirgzdas graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Operation Management. He commissioned through ROTC in March 2009 and graduated the Infantry Officer Basic Course and U.S. Army Ranger School at Fort Benning, Georgia in 2010. Captain Zwirgzdas served as a mechanized infantry platoon leader and stryker company executive officer in B and C Company, 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division at Fort Bliss, Texas. Mark Deployed as a platoon leader in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2010 to Mosul, Iraq. Following this deployment, Captain Zwirgzdas was selected to serve as the Aide-De-Camp to the Deputy Commanding General of the 1st Armored Division.  Mark volunteered to deploy to Operation Enduring Freedom as the Aide to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Communications at the International Security Assistance Force Headquarters in Kabul, Afghanistan.  Following this deployment, Captain Zwirgzdas elected to extend for a second deployment in support of 3rd Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division where he served as the Assistant Operations Officer in Zharay, Afghanistan. Upon completion of the Maneuver Captains Career Course, Mark was assigned to 2nd Battalion (White Falcons), 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 82nd Airborne.  During his time in the White Falcons, Captain Zwirgzdas served as the Assistant Operations Officer, then Commander of A (Gator) Company.  As the Gator Company commander, Captain Zwirgzdas deployed his Company to Mosul, Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, pioneering the Company Advise and Assist concept as the most forward deployed organization in OIR. Captain Zwirgzdas is currently serving as the Assistant Professor of Military Science at Youngstown State University following redeployment from OIR. Mark is simultaneously attaining his Master’s of Business Administration and is engaged to Dr. Brooke Manderson.

CPT Zwirgzdas Professional Military Education includes Airborne school, the Infantry Basic Officer Course, Officer Basic Course II Ranger School, Maneuver Captains Career Course, Jump Master School, US Army Mountain Warfare School-Winter, US Army Mountain Warfare School-Summer, Combatives Level I, Mechanized Leader Course, Stryker Leader Course.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (2), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2), Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Citation (2), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (1 Star), Iraq Campaign Medal (1 Star), Global War on Terror Service Medal, Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal (1 Star) Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon (3), NATO Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab