Major Blake Ritchey assumed the role of Deputy District Commander, Walla Walla District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on 3 July 2025. He assists the commander in the oversight of more than 800 engineers and professionals responsible for the Civil Works, Interagency Programs, and the Operations of USACE projects and activities for Eastern Washington, all of Idaho and portions of Oregon, Nevada, Wyoming and Utah.
MAJ Ritchey, from Peachtree City, Georgia, earned his AB Political Science undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia (2011). He holds four master’s degrees a Master of Science in Geological Engineering from the Missouri University of Science and Technology (2016), Master of Science in Kinesiology from Texas A&M University (2021), Master of Operational Studies from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College (2025), and Master of Business Administration from the University of Kansas School of Business (2025). MAJ Ritchey is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). He is a Superior Graduate of the Command & General Staff College and a Distinguished Graduate of the Engineer Captains Career Course, Engineer Basic Officer Leadership Course, and UGA Army Reserve Officer Training Corps program.
Before joining the Walla Walla District, MAJ Ritchey served more than 18 years on both active duty in the United States Army and in the Georgia Army National Guard. He enlisted as a 63H Heavy Track Repairer on June 6th, 2007, reclassified as an 11C Indirect Fire Infantryman in June 2008, and commissioned as an active-duty 12A Engineer Officer in May 2011.
MAJ Ritchey’s active-duty operational experience, earliest to latest, includes serving as a the Brigade Engineer, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division; Sapper Platoon Leader Charlie Company, 1st Special Troops Battalion (forward deployed); Company Executive Officer Alpha Company, 299th Brigade Engineer Battalion; and Battalion Construction Officer, 299th Brigade Engineer Battalion at Fort Carson, Colorado (2012-2015); Assistant Battalion Operations Officer (AS3 Current Operations), 326th Brigade Engineer Battalion; Battalion Logistics Officer (S4), 326th Brigade Engineer Battalion; and Company Commander, Alpha Company, 326th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, KY (2016-2020). His follow-on assignment after company command was Advanced Civil Schooling. He attended Texas A&M University as a graduate student in the College of Education and Human Development. MAJ Ritchey then served at the United States Military Academy at West Point as an Assistant Professor, Executive Officer, Instructor, and NCAA DIV I Volunteer Assistant Swimming and Diving Coach (2021-2024).
MAJ Ritchey deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM – Spartan Shield.
MAJ Ritchey’s military training includes the Sapper Leader Course, Special Forces Underwater Operations Combat Diver Qualification Course, Army Mountain Warfare School, Air Assault School, Master Fitness Trainer, Combatives Level 1, Observer Controller Trainer Academy, and Environmental Protection Officer.
MAJ Ritchey’s awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (one Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Commendation Medal (one Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Achievement Medal (two Oak Leaf Clusters), National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Superior Unit Award, Sapper Tab, Special Operations Combat Diver Badge, Air Assault Badge, and German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge – Gold.