TWENTY-ONE YEARS OF SERVICE —Former Steubenville resident Brandon Michael Ulasiewicz has retired from the Army and is residing with his family in O’Fallon, Mo. The major spent 21 years in the military, and has received numerous awards and decorations for his service to his country. -- Contributed

O’FALLON, Mo. — Maj. Brandon Michael Ulasiewicz retired from the United States Army June 1, concluding 21 years of a military career distinguished by overseas deployments, technical expertise and leadership in active duty and reserve roles.

Ulasiewicz, originally from Steubenville, left the Army with a long legacy, having served in multiple overseas deployments, including Operation Enduring Freedom.

He has earned a long list of military awards and decorations.

Among his many honors are the Meritorious Service Medal for exemplary leadership, the Army Achievement Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the NATO Medal, a Meritorious Unit Commendation, the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, an Overseas Ribbon, an NCOPD Ribbon, an Army Service Ribbon and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with three campaign stars.

“There have been many highs and many lows throughout the past 21 years; however, I would not be where I am, and what I have become, without having gone through all of those events,” Ulasiewicz said while reflecting on his military career. “I have met people throughout my career who will be lifelong friends no matter where we are or how far apart we live.”

ADDRESSING AIR MOBILITY COMMAND — Maj. Brandon Ulasiewicz retired from the Army earlier this year, having served 21 years in the military. During his time in the service, he was tasked with speaking to a new unit he was going to be taking command of during a change of command ceremony. The event took place prior to the COVID-19 lockdown at Shaw Air Force Base in Illinois. -- Contributed

He thanked his fellow service members, saying, “I have learned a lot from everyone I have had the privilege to serve with and for.”

Ulasiewicz credited his civilian family and friends with being the “additional support group that every military family needs to be successful.”

He paid special tribute to his wife of 22 years, Jen Ulasiewicz, acknowledging her sacrifices.

“Your love and support have been the one constant in an ever-changing and extremely unpredictable life in the military,” he commented.

“There is never enough acknowledgment for the silent struggle and hardship that the military spouse has to go through,” he added.

PROTECTING HIS COUNTRY — Having served overseas in Gardez, Afghanistan, in 2014, Edison High School graduate Maj. Brandon Ulasiewicz has retired from the Army after 21 years of service to his country. -- Contributed

Ulasiewicz thanked his children, Amelia and Patrick, now adults, who grew up as proud military children, adapting to relocations, deployments, new schools and the demands of military family life. “They have never known a life that in one way, shape or form, didn’t have a military aspect in it,” Ulasiewicz said.

Ulasiewicz stated his grandfather, Lawrence Savinell, served with the 756th Railroad Shop Battalion. Stationed in England and France during World War II, Savinell earned the rank of corporal in the Army.

Throughout his career, Ulasiewicz held a variety of leadership and technical positions. He served with units at Fort Carson, Colo..; Fort Drum, N.Y.; and Shaw Air Force Base, in South Carolina.

His deployments included two tours to Afghanistan and two to Kuwait.

He was assigned to Forward Operating Bases Fenty and Lightning during his time in Afghanistan, and later deployed to Camp Arifjan in Kuwait.

Following his graduation from Edison High School in 1997, Ulasiewicz earned a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from the University of Pittsburgh and obtained Microsoft certification from the Pittsburgh Technical Institute.

Ulasiewicz decided to join the military after he graduated from college.

He explained it was after Sept. 11, 2001, and the job market within the greater Pittsburgh area was not doing very well.

Being a newly graduated, entry-level candidate who had no previous experience, Ulasiewicz opted to join the miltary, which provided him with the education and job experience he needed and which could not be obtained anywhere else.

“I also felt a sense of duty to serve my country after the events of Sept. 11,” Ulasiewicz added.

He enlisted in the Army in 2004 as a specialist, reflecting his educational background.

He has continued his studies throughout the years, earning a master’s degree in information technology management, as well as multiple industry certifications.

Following basic training at Fort Benning, Ga., Ulasiewicz was assigned to Fort Lewis, Wash., where he served as a network switching systems operator maintainer (31F) with the 2nd Cavalry Regiment.

The military role is responsible for operating and maintaining global satellite communications systems or strategic telecommunications systems.

Ulasiewicz’s responsibility entailed troubleshooting system errors using computers and ensuring efficient message traffic relay in mission-critical situations.

In 2007, he completed officer training and was commissioned as a second lieutenant.

Promotions included advancement to first lieutenant in 2009, captain in 2010 and major in 2019. From 2020-23, he commanded Detachment 4 of the Defense Information Systems Agency Army Reserve Element at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he led the unit through unprecedented virtual training.

After his command ended in 2023, he completed his final assignment at the DISA Army Reserve Element headquarters in Fort Meade, Md.

In addition to his military duties, after Ulasiewicz transitioned from active duty to reserves in 2018, he began a civilian career in cybersecurity as a senior information system security manager with Boeing in the St. Louis area.

He resides in O’Fallon, Mo., with his family and dog.

He is working toward earning a black belt in martial arts.