40th Veteran of the Quarter, Brian Cizek, US Army
September 1, 2020
Bryan M. Cizek enlisted in the United States Army in May of 2004 and was honorably discharged in July of 2009. He served with the 1st BN 75 Ranger Regiment, based out of the Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, GA. The 75th Ranger Regiment is the world’s premier light infantry unity and is tasked with conducting special operations all over the world. During his time, Cizek held the rank of Sergeant and was a Ranger Team Leader. He conducted numerous special operation missions in support of both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, totaling approximately 22 months in combat operations. He also served as an Assault Force Platoon Joint Fires Observer and Assault Force Pathfinder.
During his time in the military, Cizek graduated from the Ranger Indoctrination Program, Ranger School, Airborne School, Joint Fires Observer Course, Special Operations Communication Course, Advanced Marksmanship Training, and Advanced Combat Shooting Techniques. Cizek’s honors included: Joint Service Commendation Medal, (3x) Army Commendation Medal, US Navy Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/ two campaign stars, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal w/ two campaign stars, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Ranger Tab, Combat Action Badge, and the Army Parachutist Badge.
After being honorably discharged, Cizek pursued his bachelor’s degree at College of the Ozarks. Upon graduation in 2012, Cizek was hired by the College, and in 2016 he was appointed as the Director of Patriotic Activities, where he oversees the Patriotic Education Travel Program, which provides once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for students to travel to World War II, Korea, and Vietnam battlefields with Veterans who fought on those hallowed grounds. Veterans share their experiences with students and ensure that the sacrifices of their generation of warriors will never be forgotten. Since 2009, the College has taken a total of 23 trips, including 154 Veterans and more than 360 students.
The Cizek family, Bryan and his wife, Liz, along with their twin girls, Paisley and Railey (8), and son, Henry (5), reside in Point Lookout, Missouri, where Cizek now serves as the Dean of Work Education at the College of the Ozarks.
THE PROUD. THE STRONG. THE LOYAL. OUR VETERANS!