Brigadier General Linda M. Riedel is from Barnwell, South Carolina and began her military career as an enlisted Soldier in JROTC and later received her commission through South Carolina’s Officer Candidate School, Palmetto Military Academy (PMA). She is a graduate of the Cyber War College at the National Defense University (NDU), College of Information and Cyberspace (CIC) at Fort McNair, Washington, DC. Riedel is South Carolina’s first commander of the 125th Cyber Protection Battalion (CPB). In April 2024 Brig. Gen. Riedel was inducted into the Citadel Academy of Engineers. Riedel continues to support cyber initiatives of the SCARNG and cyber community.
A career Signal Officer with over 30 years of service, Brig. Gen. Riedel, was selected and awarded the AOC 17A Cyber Operations Officer designation in 2019. Her military assignments include Platoon Leader, 116th and 114th Signal Company, Company Commander, HHC 151, Battalion S-4 HHD 105th Signal, 218th MEB Brigade Civil Affairs Officer, 228th TTSB S-3, 125th Cyber Battalion Commander, Joint Force Head Quarters (JFHQ) G6, 228th Brigade Commander and Chief of Staff, SCARNG.
In 2023 Brig. Gen. Riedel deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Spartan Shield as the Deputy G6 Forward for US Army Central (ARCENT). Responsible for overseeing, directing, and coordinating the provision of a full range of information technology services in the Middle East. In 2018, Riedel served as the Task Force Commander for Task Force Echo II. The Task Force was aligned under the 780th MI Brigade, which falls under the operational control of the U.S. Army Cyber Command (ARCYBER). In June 2012, Riedel served as the S1 in support of Operation Joint Guardian in Kosovo (KFOR 16). Her responsibilities included Civil Affairs Officer and S-1 for the Multinational Battle Group (East) KFOR 16. In February 2003, Riedel deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as a Signal Platoon Leader.
Brig. Gen. Riedel has a Master of Science degree in Government Information Leadership with a concentration in Strategic Cyberspace and Information Warfare from the Cyber War College at National Defense University. She has a Master of Science in Project Management from The Citadel and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of South Carolina. She works full-time at The Citadel as the Deputy Director, DOD Cyber Institute. Riedel has worked as an Associate Professor of Military Science at The Citadel and as the SCARNG Cyber Project Manager focused on critical infrastructure and state partnerships. She worked as a senior paralegal for ten years in tobacco, asbestos, and pharmaceutical litigation.
Brig. Gen. Riedel is active in her church and holds the following memberships: National Guard Association (Life Member), Signal Corps Regimental Association, Military Cyber Professional Association (MCPA), Armed Forces Communication and Electronics Association (AFCEA), Association of Old (AOC), Women in Cybersecurity (WiCys) and VP for National Guard Affairs Charleston Chapter of AUSA. She serves on the Board for SC Federal Credit Union.
Brigadier General Riedel is married to her husband of 30 years and has two children.