Ryan Kroells

Fields of Study

• International Security
• Comparative and Regional Studies 

Country

USA

Education before Fletcher

• Master of Military Arts and Science, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, School of Advanced Military Studies
• Master of Arts in International Relations and Communications, University of Oklahoma
• Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies, Focus on Political Economy of East Asia, University of Minnesota 

Experience before Fletcher 

• Commander, 1st Battalion, 63rd Armored Regiment, Fort Riley, Kansas
• Military Assistant to the Deputy Chair of the Military Committee, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium

Languages 

German and Indonesian

My Path to Fletcher

Selecting a PhD program is a monumental decision, equal parts exciting and completely overwhelming.  I knew what I wanted to study, but beyond that, I was starting from nearly scratch. As a career military officer, I had continued to pursue my education, yet my professional orbit seemed a universe away from the intricacies of doctoral studies.

The Fletcher School was the answer.  It stood out as a place where my skills and education could be refined to dig deeply into pressing policy questions and global strategic challenges.

In my time at Fletcher, this initial impression was confirmed without a doubt. The instruction is engaging and thought-provoking, led by professors with extensive experience in government and academia around the world. The exceptional diversity of the international student body offers constant exposure to alternative perspectives and unique experiences, challenging my own viewpoints and fostering a truly global vision.

How do you plan to use your experience at Fletcher to make a difference in the world?

Some level of conflict is inevitable in international relations. States, international organizations, private individuals, and corporations will always have interests that compete. But the more we can understand of this increasingly interconnected world, of the dynamic nature of each other’s cultures and beliefs, and of the complex interests that create the interlinked web of competition, the more we can cultivate an international environment where warfare becomes less likely and less catastrophic. I believe my time at Fletcher as a student and a member of the community will enable me as a defense leader to better understand and, with a bit of luck and a lot of work, contribute to a more stable and peaceful future.