Command Sgt. Maj. Rick Meeker was raised in Metropolis, Illinois. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps upon graduation from high school 1989. After his four-year enlistment, Meeker joined the United States Army and has served in both the active and reserve components. His units include the 233rd HET Co., 19th Eng. Bn., 194th AR Bde., Fort Knox, Kentucky; A Co., 3-398th AR Bde., 100th Infantry Div., Paducah, Kentucky; Task Force Marshall, Fort Jackson, South Carolina; A Co., 1-77th AR Bn., Schweinfurt, Germany; HHC, 3-66th AR Bn., Schweinfurt, Germany; HHC, 188th Infantry Bde., Fort Stewart, Georgia; HHC, 173rd IBCT (A), Vicenza, Italy; A Troop and HHT, 1-91st Cav., 173rd IBCT (A), Grafenwöhr, Germany; HHC, USAG, Fort Bliss, Texas; HHBN, 1st AR Div., Task Force CJOC-J, Aman, Jordan; HHC, Brigade Modernization Command, Fort Bliss, Texas; HHC, 7th Army Training Command, Grafenwöhr, Germany; 1-81st AR Bn; and 3rd Squadron, 1st SFAB.
Meeker has served in every enlisted leadership position from team leader to command sergeant major. He has deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-08 and Operation Enduring Freedom XII. While assigned to 1st SFAB, Meeker employed to Colombia, Panama, Honduras and Ecuador.
Meeker is a graduate of all NCOPDS, culminating with graduation from the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy, Class 68. He has also attended Drill Sergeant School, the Battle Staff Noncommissioned Officer Course, Basic and Advanced Airborne courses, the Commander and First Sergeant’s Course, Master Resilience Training, and the Abrams Master Gunner Course for the M1A2 v2 SEP. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in Business and Management from Excelsior College.
Meeker’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, the Combat Action Badge, the Basic Parachutist Badge, the Master Gunner Badge, and the Drill Sergeant Badge. His foreign awards include Parachutist Badges from Germany, Lithuania, Moldovia and Romania, and the German Marksmanship Badge (Schützenschnur, Gold). In addition, Meeker has been inducted into the Order of Saint George.
Meeker is married to the former Patricia Pukownik of Schweinfurt, Germany. They have three daughters: Felisha, Shelby and Celine. They also have their furry daughter, Guinness.