We are proud to welcome Command Sergeant Major (Retired) Richard Rice, U.S. Army, as a 2023 Honorary Marshal!
Richard’s Army career began in the 82nd Airborne Division, before joining Special Forces and then MACV-SOG, the most elite and decorated unit to fight in the Vietnam War, where he completed two combat tours that began a long and storied career.
Colonel Charlie Beckwith, a Special Forces officer who he met in Vietnam, became both friend and mentor and personally recruited Rich for a “new unit” that later became known as Delta Force. He served in the unit and other Special Forces units during Operation Eagle Claw, Grenada, Panama, Nicaragua, Pakistan and Afghanistan where he, his teammates and his favorite animals (donkeys) aided the mujahideen resistance to the Soviet occupation (the story recounted in Charlie Wilson’s War). He also served in the Battle of Mogadishu in 1993 (Black Hawk Down) before retiring from the Army.
Richard then worked in higher education at Fayetteville Technical Community College, where he was nationally recognized for developing a competency-based program for awarding college credits for military education and training. He retired after completion of 20 years in the North Carolina Community College System as the Vice President of Military Programs,
Richard continues to participate in developing leaders by mentoring, speaking at leadership conferences, and addressing post graduate audiences. He holds a Masters in Business Administration with Honors and a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration (with a concentration in management) Summa Cum Laude, both from Campbell University.
Service and mentorship are Richard’s great passions, the ideals of the Americany way of life remain his northern star, and he’s never been known to turn down a cold beer or a good conversation with anyone who has something important to say.
Richard and his fellow Honorary Marshal Elana Duffy will serve in support of Grand Marshal Mike Linnington.
UPDATED 2023-1011