Eric Schnabel

Eric Schnabel has dedicated his life to service, demonstrating discipline and leadership throughout a career that spans the military, government, and community sectors. With years of committed service in national defense, he has earned the trust and respect of those he worked with, and he has maintained an active role in supporting security efforts even after his formal retirement. From the beginning of his military journey, his path has reflected a strong sense of purpose and responsibility. He began his service in 1995 by enlisting in the U.S. Army as an infantryman and later received his commission from the Virginia Military Institute. With experience as both an enlisted and an officer, he developed a broad understanding of the Army’s structure. Through airborne and Ranger training, he completed six combat deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Persian Gulf. During his time with the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions, he maintained over a decade of jump status and completed 82 jumps, earning Master Rated Airborne Wings. His leadership extended to commanding troops during Operation Iraqi Freedom and multiple operations in Afghanistan, managing unit movements, and overseeing mission-critical objectives in challenging environments. Eric also served as a Battalion Operations Officer and Executive Officer within the 82nd Airborne Division, where he led operations for units of more than 800 personnel. His work in logistics, aviation, intelligence, and training earned multiple Bronze Stars, recognizing his consistent performance in high-stakes situations. His later assignments brought him to the Pentagon, where he served on the Office of the Secretary of Defense Staff, Joint Staff, and Army Staff. As Deputy Director and Chief of the Assessments Branch, he focused on capability development across branches. In his role as Director of Joint Integration, he played a key part in enhancing close combat readiness and securing essential funding and support.