Col. Ronald W. McNamara grew up in northwestern Montana, attended the University of Montana, and graduated in June 1989 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology.  Later, Col. McNamara attended the University of San Francisco and received a Masters of Arts Degree in Public Administration.  His military education includes the Chemical Basic and Advanced Course, Airborne School, and the Command and General Staff College.

Col. McNamara’s initial tour took him to Fort Hood, Texas, where he served as the battalion chemical officer of the 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery, and deployed in support of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm.  He next served in the 68th Chemical Company as both a decontamination and reconnaissance platoon leader.  Following completion of the Chemical Officer Advance Course, he was assigned to Fort Riley, Kansas, as the brigade chemical officer for the 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, and commanded Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 1st Engineer Battalion.

In 1997, Col. McNamara served as an assistant professor of military science at the University of San Francisco before serving as the regimental chemical officer for the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment and the squadron S-3 in the Regimental Support Squadron at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California.

Following the Command and General Staff College, Col. McNamara was assigned to the 1st Armored Division in Wiesbaden, Germany, and deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom as the Deputy Division Chemical Officer and later, as the Division Chemical Officer.  His next assignment was to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, as the executive officer for the 3rd Chemical Brigade.

From 2007 to 2009, Col. McNamara commanded the 110th Chemical Battalion (Technical Escort) at Fort Lewis, Washington.  After command, he was assigned to Fort Hood, Texas, as the 48th Chemical Brigade Deputy Commanding Officer, followed by a deployment in support of Operation New Dawn as a Stability Transition Team Chief in 2011.

Upon redeployment, Col. McNamara was assigned to III Corps as the CBRNE Officer, followed by his selection as the Corps Inspector General.  In that capacity, he deployed to Afghanistan as the ISAF Joint Command Inspector General supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan from 2013 to 2014.

Upon his return, Col. McNamara was assigned to the U.S. Army Operational Test Command at Fort Hood, Texas, as the Director of Maneuver Support and Sustainment Test Directorate.  In March of 2016, he became the Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff for the Operational Test Command.

Awards and Honors:

• Legion of Merit
• Bronze Star Medal (with two Oak Leaf Clusters)
• Meritorious Service Medal (with six Oak Leaf Clusters)
• Army Commendation Medal (with five Oak Leaf Clusters)
• Army Achievement Medal
• National Defense Service Medal (with one Bronze Star)
• Parachutist Badge