LTC Richard M. Ferrell is a native of Riverside, CA. He was commissioned as an Armor Officer upon graduation from OCS in 2003.
LTC Ferrell has deployed as a Platoon Leader in 2004-05 to the Diyala Provence in Iraq with 278 ACR (TN ARNG). In 2008-09, he deployed as a Combat Advisor in support of the Iragi Army's 54th Brigade. Rick deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan as a Company Commander with the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT), 4th Infantry Division from 2011-12. His most recent deployment was to Kuwait in support of Operation Spartan Shield as a Brigade Operations Officer with 3rd ABCT, 1st AD from 2016-17.
Rick's career highlights include Armor Platoon Leader, Combat Advisor, Company Commander, Observer Controller/Trainer (OC/T) at the National Training Center (NTC), Cavalry Squadron Operations Officer (S3) with 2-13 CAV, Brigade S3 with 3rd ABCT/1st AD, Future Operations Planner with Third Army (USARCENT), and Aide-de-Camp to the Commanding General of Third Army (USARCENT).
Since arriving at Fort Irwin, he has served as the Director of Quality of Life for the instillation.
LTC Ferrell holds a Bachelor's Degree in Education from the University of Arkansas. He earned his first Master's Degree in Organizational Leadership from Central Michigan University.
His military education includes the Armor Officer's Basic Course, the Captain's Career Course, the Cavalry Leader's Course, the Combat Advisor Course, and the Command and General Staff College (CGSC) at Fort Leavenworth, KS. He later attended the School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS) as a Field Select in 2017-2018 and earned an additional Master's Degree in Military Operations.
LTC Ferrell's military awards include the Bronze Star Medal (Valor), the Bronze Star Medal (Service), the Meritorious Service Medal (3 OLC), the Army Commendation Medal (1 OLC), the Army Achievement Medal (1 OLC), the Valorous Unit Award, and the Combat Action Badge.