MAJ Ross S. Nikides

Major Ross S. Nikides is a native of Carol Stream IL and currently serves as an Army Strategist. From 2010 – 2014 Major Nikides attended Hofstra University where as a member of the University’s Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) he received his commission as a Military Intelligence Officer and graduated Suma Cum Laude with BA’s in Political Science Global Studies and History with Honors. He graduated as a Distinguished Military Graduate.

Immediately following graduation Major Nikides served as a Platoon Coach and Mentor for the ROTC’s Leadership Training Course (LTC) at Fort Knox Kentucky helping to prepare junior cadets for their entry into service and then attended Military Intelligence Basic Officer Leaders Course (MIBOLC) in the summer/fall of 2014. His first assignment was at Joint Base Lewis-McChord Washington with 1-229 Attack Reconnaissance Battalion serving as the Assistant S2. With 1-229

Major Nikides supported Talisman Sabre 15 in Brisbane Australia as I Corp’s Personnel Recovery Officer and NTC 16-04 as the Task Force S2. Major Nikides then transferred to Bravo Company 109th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Battalion where he served as a Multifunctional Platoon Leader (2016-2017), Company Executive Officer (2017-2018), and Assistant S3 (2018). While in Bravo Company Major Nikides supported several national training center rotations as well as theater and Corp-level exercises in the INDOPACOM Area of Responsibility (AOR).

In May of 2018 Major Nikides attended the Military Intelligence Captain’s Career Course (MICCC) Fort Huachuca AZ where he graduated as an honor graduate. After MICCC he was assigned as the Assistant S3 for the 24th Military Intelligence Battalion (Operations) in Wiesbaden Germany. He transferred to the 2d Military Intelligence Battalion (Collection) and assumed command of the Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment in October 2019 serving as the Commander until April 2021. Following command Major Nikides served as the 66th Military Intelligence Brigade (Theater)’s Plans Officer helping the Brigade to operationalize after the COVID-19 Pandemic and pivot towards the Russia-Ukraine Conflict.

Major Nikides holds a Master’s in International Affairs from Texas A&M University’s Bush School of Government and Public Service. His awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2OLC), Army Achievement Medal (5OLC), Humanitarian Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and the Air Assault Badge.

Major Nikides currently resides in Fort Montgomery NY with his dog Clove. Major Nikides is currently the Assistant Course Director and an instructor at the United States Military Academy for MX400 Officership – The Superintendent’s Capstone Course at the Simon Center for the Professional Military Ethic.