Capt. Jason Snyder poses inside a Humvee during one of his two tours in Iraq. Photo provided by Jason Snyder

By Keith Knepp
InkFreeNews

ROCHESTER — The career path of Columbia Elementary School Principal Jason Snyder probably isn’t paralleled by many of his peers in early educational administration. However, upon closer inspection of his credentials and background, it becomes very clear his experience as an Army officer fits perfectly with his role as leader of the Rochester school.

The son of a 20-year Air Force veteran, Snyder was born on Kirkland Air Force Base in New Mexico. Both of his grandfathers were Army veterans who served in Europe during World War II. When Snyder reached the age of decision, it was an easy choice for him to continue the family tradition of service to his country.

A graduate of Caston High School, Snyder made his decision to enlist in the Army while he was still a student at Manchester College in the late ’90s, doing his initial training during the summers.

Following his graduation, Snyder was accepted into officer candidate school through the Indiana Military Academy in Columbus. Upon completion, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army, with a specialty in nuclear, biological and chemical weapons.

In 2003, Snyder was deployed with an infantry battalion into the Middle East. Snyder was in the country when American forces first crossed the border into Iraq. While there, he was the battle captain in charge of the security of Tallil Air Base south of Baghdad in the town of Nasiriyah. The battalion was in charge of security inside a 10-mile perimeter of the base.

As the officer in charge, Snyder reported to the Tactical Operations Center. He was responsible for the army’s reaction to anything happening in the area, with a variety of options including everything from mortars to quick reaction teams. The battalion also had a small POW camp to secure detainees.

Columbia Elementary Principal Jason Snyder poses in the doorway to his office, around which is stenciled the U.S. Army’s core values. Snyder served two tours of duty in Iraq during his time in the military. Photo by Keith Knepp

“We lived in buildings with no electricity and no water,” Snyder recalled. “We went seven weeks without a real shower until a general passing through brought with him some portable shower units for the 600 men stationed there.”

Following that assignment, Snyder transitioned to a civil affairs role, helping schools, farmers and medical facilities get the supplies and medications they needed to run. For his efforts during the deployment, Snyder was given the Bronze Star and Combat Action Badge, among other notable commendations.

After a return to the United States, where he was stationed at several bases throughout the country, he was deployed for a second time in 2008, where he was the officer in charge of Sheriff Cell 16, based in Balad, north of Baghdad. The cell was a joint operation, utilizing not only the resources of the Army but of the Air Force and Navy, as well. The operation was in charge of security for the assigned region, including everything from drone support to medical evacuations. Snyder once again was serving as battle captain, this time of a larger area.

Upon his return from deployment, Snyder knew he had a choice to make — continue in the Army or go back to teaching. Although he didn’t yet have a family, he chose to settle in Rochester and pursue a career in education. However, because of his now-captain rank and his specialty, he has not technically been released from the Army and is still a member of the active reserves.

“The Army could call me up any time they wanted, although I’d have to lose a few pounds and get in to better shape,” he joked.

Snyder has served as principal at Columbia for six years. Previously, he was principal at Rochester High School from 2011-14. Now married to Jennifer, a teacher at Rochester High School, the couple has three daughters, Ripelee, 11, Piper, 9, and Benning Georgia, a kindergarten student in his school who was named after the beloved Army base where Snyder did much of his training.

“I learned a lot in the Army — hard work, teamwork, working side-by-side with other soldiers to make sure you both come home safely,” he recalled. “That’s real life. Every day I think of my brothers and things that happened.”