Samuel L. Orlan was born in Brooklyn, NY and raised in Commack, NY. He is a 2008 graduate of Norwich University, the Military College of Vermont. As a ROTC Distinguished Military Graduate, he commissioned as an Army Second Lieutenant in the Armor Branch. He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 75th Cavalry Regiment of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, KY. Sam deployed with 1-75 CAV in 2010 as a Scout Platoon Leader to the Zhari District of Kandahar, Afghanistan. After being wounded-in-action, Sam transitioned to the role of Assistant Operations Officer where he served as his unit’s Liaison Officer to higher headquarters. Following the deployment, Sam continued to serve as the primary Assistant Operations Officer until he assumed duties as the Squadron Intelligence Officer.
Sam medically retired as a Captain in 2013. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Badge.
Sam holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Norwich University. He currently resides in Syracuse, NY where he is a graduate student at Syracuse University pursuing a Master of Public Administration at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, and a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Security Studies at the Institute of National Security and Counterterrorism. He plans on returning to public service upon graduation.
