Colonel Rizzo is a native of Charlestown, Massachusetts. He graduated from Western New England College in 1989 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in Criminal Justice.
After working in local law enforcement, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and graduated from MCRD Parris Island, South Carolina, in 1990. After completing Recruit Training, he reported to the School of Infantry where he attained the MOS of 0341 Mortarman.
In January 1991 he received orders to Marine Barracks Ground Defense Force, Subic Bay, Philippines where he participated in Operation Fiery Vigil in June 1991. Upon the deactivation of Marine Barracks, Subic Bay, he received orders to 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, 1st Marine Division, as an 81 MM Mortar Platoon Section Leader and promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
In August 1994, he was accepted for the Enlisted Commissioning Program and attended Officer Candidate School, The Basic School, and Infantry Officer Course, obtaining the MOS 0302. Colonel Rizzo accepted augmentation in November 1998 in conjunction with the supplementary MOS program and reported to Logistics Officer School where he received the MOS of 0402.
Colonel Rizzo’s operational assignments include: Platoon Commander, 81MM Mortar Platoon Commander, and Executive Officer, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines; Weapons Company Commander, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines; Company Commander, 2nd Maintenance Battalion, 2nd Force Service Support Group (Operation IRAQI FREEDOM); Battle Major/Senior Watch Officer, CJTF-76 (Operation ENDURING FREEDOM); Commanding Officer, Combat Logistics Battalion-6 (Operation ENDURING FREEDOM); and CJ4, CJTF-HOA.
His staff and joint assignments include: S-4 Officer, Camp Johnson Area/MCCSSS; Recruit Station Commanding Officer, Recruiting Station Detroit, Michigan; Program Analyst, Joint Fires Division, J6, CJCS; Global Force Management Future Operations Officer, Current and Future Operations Branch, PP&O; Commanding Officer, Marine Corps Detachment Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; AC/S G4, III Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF); Chief of Staff, III MEF; Deputy Commander, Marine Corps Installations East-Marine Corps Base (MCIEAST-MCB) Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; and Commander, MCIEAST-MCB Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
Colonel Rizzo is a graduate of The Basic School (with Honors), Infantry Officers Course, Logistics Officers Course, U.S. Naval War College (with Honors), Marine Corps War College, and High Command and Staff Course at the United Kingdom Defence Academy.