Biography

BG Ryan F. Gonsalves graduated from the University of Arizona in 1984 as a Distinguished Military Graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Business and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in Armor. Following the Armor Officer Basic Course, BG Gonsalves was assigned to the 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized), Ft. Carson, Colorado where he served as a Tank and Mortar Platoon Leader, Tank Company Executive Officer, and Battalion Maintenance Officer in the 4th Battalion, 40th Armor.

After completing the Armor Officer Advanced Course, BG Gonsalves was assigned to the 1st Armored Division, Bamberg, Germany. From 1989 to 1991, he served as the S3 Air and the Headquarters and Headquarters Company Commander in 3rd Battalion, 35th Armor, during which time he deployed to Saudi Arabia in support of OPERATION DESERT SHIELD/STORM. From 1991 to 1995, BG Gonsalves was assigned as an Instructor/Writer in the Weapons Department and the Chief of the Gunnery Training and Doctrine Branch.

Following graduation from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, BG Gonsalves was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division, Ft. Stewart, Georgia from 1996 to 1999. He served as the 2nd Brigade S1, then later the 4th Battalion, 64th Armor Battalion S3 and Executive Officer. He deployed in support of OPERATION DESERT FOX as the Task Force Executive Officer during the Intrinsic Action 98-03.

BG Gonsalves was then assigned to the Pentagon where he served as the Senior Operations Officer, Operations Team 2, National Military Command Center, Joint Staff (J3) from 1999 to 2002. After serving on the Joint Staff, BG Gonsalves was then assigned to the 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized) at Ft. Hood, Texas where he commanded Task Force 1-66 Armor from 2002 to 2004. During this time he deployed with Task Force 1-66 to Iraq in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM. After command, BG Gonsalves returned to the Pentagon and served as the Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff of the Army from 2004 to 2005. BG Gonsalves then attended the National War College in Washington, DC and earned his Masters Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies.

BG Gonsalves returned to Ft. Hood, Texas in June 2006 and was assigned to the G3 section of III Corps where he served as the Chief of Operations in Multi National Corps Iraq in Baghdad, Iraq. From 2008 to 2010, he served as Commander, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Calvary Division, during which time he deployed to Kirkuk, Iraq in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM.

After command, BG Gonsalves was selected to serve as the Executive Officer to the Commanding General, United States Forces-Iraq, OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM/OPERATION NEW DAWN. Following redeployment, he remained in position as Executive Officer to the Commander, United States Joint Forces Command, Norfolk, Virginia.

His awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device with two Oak Leaf clusters, Bronze Star Medal with three Oak Leaf clusters, Defense Meritorious Service Medal with one Oak Leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with four Oak Leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with three Oak Leaf clusters, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal with three Oak Leaf clusters, the Combat Action Badge, Parachutist's Badge, the Joint Chief of Staff Identification Badge, and the Army Staff Identification Badge.