Danny Dudek
COL Daniel (Danny) Dudek has over 30 years of active-duty service in the U.S. Army as an Army Officer and 3 years in the U.S. Army Reserve. COL Dudek enlisted as a parachute rigger but soon received his commission as a field artillery officer. In 2007, Danny deployed to Iraq as a part of the 2nd Infantry Division. An explosive hit his Stryker, causing an incomplete spinal cord injury.
After recovery at Walter Reed Military Medical center, Danny served an additional 14 years in the Army, including as commander of a Warrior Transition Battalion. He recently retired after nearly 30 years of military service and was awarded the Bronze Star for valor in combat.
COL Dudek’s awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (w/2 OLC), Army Commendation Medal (w/2 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (w/1 SLC and 2 OLC), Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal (w/2 Service Stars), Global War on Terror, Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon. He was also awarded the Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and Parachute Rigger Badge.
He enjoys golf, cycling, handcycling, skiing, and swimming. COL Dudek competed in three Warrior Games (2012, 2013, 2015) where he won seven Gold medals in multiple sports, and two Invictus Games (2014 London, 2017 Toronto).
Specifics of COL Dudek's military service are below:
COL Dudek enlisted in the Army Reserves during the summer after his junior year in high school and completed Basic Training at Fort McClellean, Alabama. The next summer he completed Army Airborne School and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Lee, Virginia for the 43E MOS (parachute rigger).
In 1989, he completed PLDC at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. In 1990, he completed the Army Air Assault School at Fort Campbell and in 1991, after ROTC Advanced Camp, he completed Master Fitness School.
In 1992, he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geography from Appalachian State University and was designated a Distinguished Military Graduate. That May he attended the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course (FAOBC). After completion of FAOBC, he attended the Army Ranger School but upon successful completion of the mountain phase he succumbed to a severe case of pneumonia.
His first assignment in Korea included Tank Company Fire Support Officer, Platoon Leader for an M109A3 Battery in 1-15 FA and an MLRS Operations Officer in 6-37 FA in the 2nd Infantry Division, Korea, from May 1993 to April 1996. In September of 1996, COL Dudek and his new wife moved to Schofield Barracks, Hawaii where he served as a Field Artillery Intelligence Officer, Attack Aviation Battalion Fire Support Officer, Light Infantry Battalion Fire Support Officer and Battery Commander.
Following Battery Command in December of 2000, they moved to Hohenfels, Germany where COL Dudek worked as the Task Force Fire Support Officer O/C and as the Senior Fire Support Analyst in the TAF. In 2005, COL Dudek completed the Command and General Staff College (CGSC) earning the 3H (Joint Planner) ASI and a Master’s Degree in Computer Resources and Information Management from Webster University.
Upon completion of CGSC, they moved to Fort Lewis, Washington where COL Dudek was assigned to the 2d Cavalry as the Regimental (later redesigned the 4th Brigade, 2d Division -Stryker) and in April 2007 they deployed to Iraq. COL Dudek was wounded on 19 July 2007 and rehabilitated with the Fort Lewis WTB while working as the 4/2 SBCT Reset Planner, CTP Coordinator and WTB BN Executive Officer until taking battalion command of the Warrior Transition Battalion from 17 June 2009 to 25 May 2011.
From June 2011 to August 2014, COL Dudek served in the Warrior Transition Command, responsible for all Warrior Care Policy and later worked as the Deputy Chief of Staff successfully leading the staffing of AR 40-58. From 2014 to 2018, COL Dudek served in America’s First Corps (I Corps) as the Collective Training Chief in the Operations Branch. He remained on the Continuation on Active Duty (COAD) Program through his retirement serving as the President of the Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) at Joint Base Lewis McChord and retiring in February of 2021.
Position
- Board Member
The Move United Board of Directors includes a diverse representation of individuals passionate about Move United’s vision who regularly meet to provide leadership, governance and strategic insight to support Move United’s ambitious path forward.
