# Charles A. Richard

Charles Anthony "Chas" Richard (born 1959) is a retired United States Navy admiral who served as the 11th commander of United States Strategic Command. He previously served as Commander Submarine Forces, Submarine Force Atlantic and Allied Submarine Command.

## Early life and education

Richard is a native of Decatur, Alabama, and is a 1982 graduate with honors from the University of Alabama. He has earned master's degrees with honors from the Catholic University of America and the Naval War College.

## Naval career

Richard's operational assignments include command of USS Parche (SSN-683) as well as Submarine NR-1, then the United States Navy's only nuclear-powered, deep-submergence submarine. He also served aboard USS Portsmouth (SSN-707), USS Asheville (SSN-758) and USS Scranton (SSN-756).
Richard's staff assignments include service as the executive assistant and naval aide to the Under Secretary of the Navy; chief of staff, Submarine Force Atlantic; and command of Submarine Squadron 17 in Bangor, Washington. Other staff assignments include director of resources, Under Secretary of Defense (Policy); squadron engineer of Submarine Squadron 8 and duty on the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Submarine Warfare) staff. He has also served as a member of Chief of Naval Operations' Strategic Studies Group XXVIII, studying the integration of unmanned systems into naval force structure.
Flag officer assignments include command of Submarine Group 10 in Kings Bay, Georgia; director of Undersea Warfare (OPNAV N97), Pentagon, and deputy commander, Joint Functional Component Command for Global Strike at United States Strategic Command.
As commander, Submarine Forces, Richard was the undersea domain lead, and was responsible for the submarine force's strategic vision. As commander, Submarine Force Atlantic, he commanded all Atlantic-based United States submarines, their crews and supporting shore activities. These responsibilities also included duties as Commander, Task Force (CTF) 144, CTF 84; commander, Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Forces Western Atlantic; and CTF 46. As commander, Allied Submarine Command, he provided advice to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Strategic Commanders on submarine related issues.
On October 15, 2019, Richard was nominated for promotion to admiral and reassignment as the commanding officer of United States Strategic Command. He appeared for a hearing before the United States Senate Committee on Armed Services on October 24 and was confirmed by voice vote of the full Senate on October 31. He took over from General Hyten on November 18, 2019. In October 2021, Politico reported that Richard was among the candidates shortlisted to succeed Hyten as vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He retired from active duty on December 9, 2022.

## Awards and decorations

Officer Submarine Warfare insignia :
| Defense Distinguished Service Medal w/ 1 bronze oak leaf cluster | Navy Distinguished Service Medal | Defense Superior Service Medal w/ 2 oak leaf clusters |
| Legion of Merit w/ 4 gold award stars | Defense Meritorious Service Medal | Meritorious Service Medal |
| Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/ 3 award stars | Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal w/ 2 award stars | Navy Presidential Unit Citation |
| Joint Meritorious Unit Award | Navy Unit Commendation | Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation |
| Navy "E" Ribbon with wreathed Battle E award | Navy Expeditionary Medal | National Defense Service Medal w/ 1 bronze service star |
| Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon w/ 2 service stars | Navy Arctic Service Ribbon | NATO Medal for the former Yugoslavia |
| Officer Deep Submergence insignia |||
| Command at Sea insignia |||
| United States Strategic Command Badge |||