Graduated from Mercer University ROTC, as the number one member of his commissioning class. Rich commissioned as an Infantry Officer and earned Ranger, Airborne and Air Assault Qualification. Rich deployed in support of OIF, serving as a Rifle Platoon Leader and as a Company Executive Officer. For actions during the deployment, Rich was awarded the Col Scooter Burke Award, given to the officer that shows the most leadership potential in the Battalion. Rich excelled in Army combatives, becoming a 1st Infantry Division Champion and earning a spot on the Fort Riley Combatives Team. This gave him the opportunity to be the Captain and lead the Team to a 2nd place finish at the All-Army Combatives Tournament, in 2009 and 2010. Currently, Rich is the Aide-de-Camp for RDML Thomas L. Brown II, Commander of Special Operations Command.