COLONEL BARRY B. BIZZELL
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS (RETIRED)
Commandant of Cadets
Colonel Bizzell is a native Californian who was born in Long Beach, California. Colonel Bizzell received his Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology (Pre-Med Minor) in 1977 and was commissioned a Second
Lieutenant in the Marine Corps Reserve.
After officer and flight training, Colonel Bizzell flew the F-4 Phantom for over 7 years while assigned to four different squadrons at El Toro and later at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. During this time he accumulated over 2700 flight hours in the F-4 Phantom, attended numerous tactical aviation schools to include the Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course and Top Gun. He was deployed overseas three times. Colonel Bizzell was again sent to Quantico, Virginia in 1985 to attend Amphibious Warfare School. He was then assigned to Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps in Washington, D.C. for two years and was promoted to Major. After his “desk” tour Colonel Bizzell reported back to flight duty and began flying the FA-18 Hornet. During his Hornet flying tours he was assigned as the Training Officer of VMFAT-101 then, after joining an FA-18 "Gun" squadron, was deployed to Japan for another 6 months. It was while deployed to Japan that then Major Bizzell was informed that he was selected by the Marine Corps Aviation Association as the 1994 Marine Corps Naval Flight Officer of the Year.
Colonel Bizzell was later deployed for one year to the Second Marine Expeditionary Force in Okinawa, Japan, as the Air Officer, and it was there that he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. Upon his return to 3d Marine Aircraft Wing, he was selected for command of his own fighter-attack squadrons, the Sharpshooters of VMFAT-101. While in command of his squadron, he was promoted to Colonel and had accumulated nearly 1500 flight hours in the FA-18. He then attended the Naval War College at Newport, Rhode Island, where he received a Masters Degree in Strategic Studies. After the Naval War College, Colonel Bizzell was assigned to numerous commands and staff positions in Norfolk, Virginia. Colonel Bizzell was yet again deployed to a combat area overseas; this time to Bosnia-Herzegovina as part of the combined stabilization forces assigned there. After redeploying from Bosnia-Herzegovina he was assigned as the Chief of Staff for Marine Forces Atlantic Headquarters. He remained in this position until his retirement in July, 2006.
Upon his retirement from the Marine Corps, Colonel Bizzell returned to his native Southern California and became the Commandant at St. Catherine’s Academy here in Anaheim, California. He has served in this position for over eight years and continues his legacy of service to his community and to his country by teaching and instilling within our young men the meaning of honor, discipline, respect and leadership. Colonel Bizzell is married to the former Norma Galvan and they have two daughters, Emily and Carolina. Colonel Bizzell also has two children and
four grandchildren from a previous marriage who also reside in Southern California.
Awards and decorations that Colonel Bizzell received during his 30 years of service include the: Defense
Superior Service Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, three Meritorious Service Medals, Air Medal, Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Joint Meritorious Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudia Arabia), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) NATO Medal two Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbons, two National Defense Service Ribbons, Southwest Asia Ribbon, and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon.
CAPTAIN ANGEL RAMOS
Deputy Commandant of Cadets—Day
Captain Angel Ramos was born on November 23rd, 1978 in Santa Fe De Bogota Colombia and migrated to the US at the age of four. He currently resides in Anaheim CA with his his wife, Duaghter, and two sons. He is a graduate of a Katella High School and currently attending CTU where he is pursuing a Masters in Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Project Management. Captain Ramos departed the US Army in 2005 and worked as a Financial Counselor for Orange County. During that time he helped many families recover from economic hardships. He was a member of various community groups working together to help homeless families get a fresh start. During this time Captain Ramos also traveled to various schools in Alaska to give cultural presentations during Hispanic Heritage Month Celebrations in collaboration with the Universality of Alaska Fairbanks Arts Association.
In January of 2007 he was assigned to be the Deputy Commandant of St. Catherine’s Academy. Captain Ramos believes in helping boys grow to become well disciplined, honorable, and respectful young men. He volunteers countless hours to help at risk teens on his off duty hours. He currently serves as a mentor through the Grizzly Youth Academy Program at Camp San Luis Obispo. He is a certified High Ropes and Confidence Course instructor and has helped establish a Leadership Camp programs at St. Catherine’s Academy.
Captain Ramos’ assignments and deployments include Camp Humphreys/Camp Casey Republic of Korea, , Alpha Company Operations Group Ft Irwin CA, 172nd Stryker Brigade Ft Wainwright AK, and USARAK Protocol.
His military achievements include two Army Commendation Medals, five Army Achievement Medals, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, Global War on Terrorism, Korea Defense Medal, Army Service Medal, Overseas Ribbon, and Expert Marksmanship Badge with Grenade Bar, Drivers Badge, and Physical Fitness Excellence Award.
STAFF SERGEANT TYR MAY
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
Deputy Commandant of Cadets—Evening
Staff Sergeant May graduated high school in Colorado in 1994 and entered the Marine Corps that same year. He spent four years in the Infantry, assigned to 3rdBattalion 4th Marines, based onboard Camp Pendleton California. Staff Sergeant May specialized in foreign small-arms, vehicle identification and long-range marksmanship. During his enlistment, he was deployed to Okinawa, Japan and Camp Fuji, Japan, where he trained alongside the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force. He was discharged in 1998 and began working at St. Catherine’s the following year as a coach and drill instructor. He immediately became attached to the unique program and spirit of the cadets, and returned the following year as the evening Deputy Commandant.
As a Marine Reservist, Staff Sergeant May’s unit, 2nd Battalion 23rdMarines, was recalled to active duty shortly after September 11, 2001, as part of a security force for FEMA. He spent a year on Camp Pendleton in“stand-by” mode and trained with his platoon. During the mobilization, he also attended the Basic Intelligence Course in Dam Neck, Virginia. In 2003, his unit was deployed to Kuwait and participated in the invasion of Iraq as part of Regimental Combat Team One. Staff Sergeant May led a four-man Scout/Sniper team in support of “E” Company as his unit pushed north and secured Baghdad. Once the initial operation was completed, his unit rotated home and was demobilized. Following his transition back to reserve status, he returned to St. Catherine’s in the fall of 2003.
In 2005, Staff Sergeant May left St. Catherine’s to pursue a career as a land surveyor and lived in Temecula for five years. During that time he served as a Party Chief and worked in the California wilderness including: the Salton Sea, San Francisco Bay, the Idyllwild Mountains, Santa Barbara beaches, urban terrain, the open ocean and dozens of construction sites. During these five years, he regularly helped with the annual St. Catherine’s Leadership Camp held each year in Camp San Luis Obispo, California. In 2010 he returned to St. Catherine’s as the Evening Deputy Commandant, bringing with him his Doberman, Lola.
Staff Sergeant May’s military awards include: the Navy Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terror Medal and the Reserve Mobilization Medal. He also holds a Bachelors Degree in Psychology, is a Life Guard and a certified Land Surveyor-in-Training.
Of St. Catherine’s he says, “I feel like I’ve returned home. I love this Academy; these are great boys and this is a rewarding experience they will never forget. I am grateful to be a part of it.”
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS (RETIRED)
Commandant of Cadets
Colonel Bizzell is a native Californian who was born in Long Beach, California. Colonel Bizzell received his Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology (Pre-Med Minor) in 1977 and was commissioned a Second
Lieutenant in the Marine Corps Reserve.
After officer and flight training, Colonel Bizzell flew the F-4 Phantom for over 7 years while assigned to four different squadrons at El Toro and later at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. During this time he accumulated over 2700 flight hours in the F-4 Phantom, attended numerous tactical aviation schools to include the Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course and Top Gun. He was deployed overseas three times. Colonel Bizzell was again sent to Quantico, Virginia in 1985 to attend Amphibious Warfare School. He was then assigned to Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps in Washington, D.C. for two years and was promoted to Major. After his “desk” tour Colonel Bizzell reported back to flight duty and began flying the FA-18 Hornet. During his Hornet flying tours he was assigned as the Training Officer of VMFAT-101 then, after joining an FA-18 "Gun" squadron, was deployed to Japan for another 6 months. It was while deployed to Japan that then Major Bizzell was informed that he was selected by the Marine Corps Aviation Association as the 1994 Marine Corps Naval Flight Officer of the Year.
Colonel Bizzell was later deployed for one year to the Second Marine Expeditionary Force in Okinawa, Japan, as the Air Officer, and it was there that he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. Upon his return to 3d Marine Aircraft Wing, he was selected for command of his own fighter-attack squadrons, the Sharpshooters of VMFAT-101. While in command of his squadron, he was promoted to Colonel and had accumulated nearly 1500 flight hours in the FA-18. He then attended the Naval War College at Newport, Rhode Island, where he received a Masters Degree in Strategic Studies. After the Naval War College, Colonel Bizzell was assigned to numerous commands and staff positions in Norfolk, Virginia. Colonel Bizzell was yet again deployed to a combat area overseas; this time to Bosnia-Herzegovina as part of the combined stabilization forces assigned there. After redeploying from Bosnia-Herzegovina he was assigned as the Chief of Staff for Marine Forces Atlantic Headquarters. He remained in this position until his retirement in July, 2006.
Upon his retirement from the Marine Corps, Colonel Bizzell returned to his native Southern California and became the Commandant at St. Catherine’s Academy here in Anaheim, California. He has served in this position for over eight years and continues his legacy of service to his community and to his country by teaching and instilling within our young men the meaning of honor, discipline, respect and leadership. Colonel Bizzell is married to the former Norma Galvan and they have two daughters, Emily and Carolina. Colonel Bizzell also has two children and
four grandchildren from a previous marriage who also reside in Southern California.
Awards and decorations that Colonel Bizzell received during his 30 years of service include the: Defense
Superior Service Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, three Meritorious Service Medals, Air Medal, Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Joint Meritorious Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudia Arabia), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) NATO Medal two Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbons, two National Defense Service Ribbons, Southwest Asia Ribbon, and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon.
CAPTAIN ANGEL RAMOS
Deputy Commandant of Cadets—Day
Captain Angel Ramos was born on November 23rd, 1978 in Santa Fe De Bogota Colombia and migrated to the US at the age of four. He currently resides in Anaheim CA with his his wife, Duaghter, and two sons. He is a graduate of a Katella High School and currently attending CTU where he is pursuing a Masters in Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Project Management. Captain Ramos departed the US Army in 2005 and worked as a Financial Counselor for Orange County. During that time he helped many families recover from economic hardships. He was a member of various community groups working together to help homeless families get a fresh start. During this time Captain Ramos also traveled to various schools in Alaska to give cultural presentations during Hispanic Heritage Month Celebrations in collaboration with the Universality of Alaska Fairbanks Arts Association.
In January of 2007 he was assigned to be the Deputy Commandant of St. Catherine’s Academy. Captain Ramos believes in helping boys grow to become well disciplined, honorable, and respectful young men. He volunteers countless hours to help at risk teens on his off duty hours. He currently serves as a mentor through the Grizzly Youth Academy Program at Camp San Luis Obispo. He is a certified High Ropes and Confidence Course instructor and has helped establish a Leadership Camp programs at St. Catherine’s Academy.
Captain Ramos’ assignments and deployments include Camp Humphreys/Camp Casey Republic of Korea, , Alpha Company Operations Group Ft Irwin CA, 172nd Stryker Brigade Ft Wainwright AK, and USARAK Protocol.
His military achievements include two Army Commendation Medals, five Army Achievement Medals, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, Global War on Terrorism, Korea Defense Medal, Army Service Medal, Overseas Ribbon, and Expert Marksmanship Badge with Grenade Bar, Drivers Badge, and Physical Fitness Excellence Award.
STAFF SERGEANT TYR MAY
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
Deputy Commandant of Cadets—Evening
Staff Sergeant May graduated high school in Colorado in 1994 and entered the Marine Corps that same year. He spent four years in the Infantry, assigned to 3rdBattalion 4th Marines, based onboard Camp Pendleton California. Staff Sergeant May specialized in foreign small-arms, vehicle identification and long-range marksmanship. During his enlistment, he was deployed to Okinawa, Japan and Camp Fuji, Japan, where he trained alongside the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force. He was discharged in 1998 and began working at St. Catherine’s the following year as a coach and drill instructor. He immediately became attached to the unique program and spirit of the cadets, and returned the following year as the evening Deputy Commandant.
As a Marine Reservist, Staff Sergeant May’s unit, 2nd Battalion 23rdMarines, was recalled to active duty shortly after September 11, 2001, as part of a security force for FEMA. He spent a year on Camp Pendleton in“stand-by” mode and trained with his platoon. During the mobilization, he also attended the Basic Intelligence Course in Dam Neck, Virginia. In 2003, his unit was deployed to Kuwait and participated in the invasion of Iraq as part of Regimental Combat Team One. Staff Sergeant May led a four-man Scout/Sniper team in support of “E” Company as his unit pushed north and secured Baghdad. Once the initial operation was completed, his unit rotated home and was demobilized. Following his transition back to reserve status, he returned to St. Catherine’s in the fall of 2003.
In 2005, Staff Sergeant May left St. Catherine’s to pursue a career as a land surveyor and lived in Temecula for five years. During that time he served as a Party Chief and worked in the California wilderness including: the Salton Sea, San Francisco Bay, the Idyllwild Mountains, Santa Barbara beaches, urban terrain, the open ocean and dozens of construction sites. During these five years, he regularly helped with the annual St. Catherine’s Leadership Camp held each year in Camp San Luis Obispo, California. In 2010 he returned to St. Catherine’s as the Evening Deputy Commandant, bringing with him his Doberman, Lola.
Staff Sergeant May’s military awards include: the Navy Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terror Medal and the Reserve Mobilization Medal. He also holds a Bachelors Degree in Psychology, is a Life Guard and a certified Land Surveyor-in-Training.
Of St. Catherine’s he says, “I feel like I’ve returned home. I love this Academy; these are great boys and this is a rewarding experience they will never forget. I am grateful to be a part of it.”