Colonel Phillip Murrell is an Explosives Ordnance Disposal officer currently assigned as the Deputy Commanding Officer of 20th CBRNE CMD. He received his commission as an Ordnance Officer from the United States Officer Candidate School in December 2002. He is a graduate of the Ordnance Officer Basic Course, the Combined Logistics Career Course, Airborne School, Air Assault School, Explosives Ordnance Disposal School, Command and General Staff College, and the Army War College.
Previous non-command assignments include service as a Brigade Maintenance Officer for 1st Brigade, Second Infantry Division, Shop Officer for the 407th Forward Support Battalion; Operations Officer for the 242d Ordnance Battalion (EOD); EOD Officer for the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), the EOD Officer for Forces Command, and the G35, Chief of Plans, at 20th CBRNE CMD.
His command assignments include: 24 months as Commander, D Company, 407th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC, where he deployed for thirteen months to Operation Iraqi Freedom, and 24 months as Commander, 192d Ordnance Battalion (EOD) at Fort Bragg, NC.
Colonel Murrell holds a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the Army War College, a Master of Business Administration degree, with a focus in Supply Chain Management, from Arizona State University, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with 2 OLC, the Meritorious Service Medal with 2 OLC, the Army Commendation Medal with 1 OLC, the Army Achievement Medal with 1 silver OLC, the OIF and OEF Campaign Medals, the Parachutist Badge, the Air Assault Badge, the Master Explosives Ordnance Disposal Badge, and the Combat Action Badge.
Colonel Murrell, from Las Vegas, NV, married his wife, Jennifer on April 8, 2006. They have three children: Thomas (18), Sam (16), and Cammy (14). Colonel Murrell is a fan of stories and has published eight novels, one short story, and a children’s picture book. He also enjoys high adrenaline activities, like riding roller coasters and whitewater rafting.