CMSgt (Ret) David Richard has dedicated the past 30 years of his life to serving his country through his work with the United States Air Force. What began as a young man’s desire to serve during a time of need evolved into a lifelong and deeply meaningful career in the government sector. Over the years, he has held numerous roles across different bases and assignments, each one shaping his leadership, experience, and understanding of the Air Force’s mission.
Mr. Richard’s journey with the Air Force began in June 1989, when he first enlisted. His first duty station was Minot Air Force Base, where he served as a weapons loader. It was during his time at Minot that he began not only a military career but also a lifelong partnership rooted in the Air Force community.
During one of his later assignments, while serving as a First Sergeant, often referred to as a “1st Shirt”, he had the opportunity to meet the Air Force A1 General, Lt General Richard Newton. That conversation changed his life when he mentioned to the general that he wished he could go back to Minot. Just a few days later, he received new orders sending him back to the base where his journey began. He returned to Minot AFB in 2009 and served there until his retirement in 2015 as a Chief Master Sergeant.
He shared that his motivation for returning to Minot was rooted in both personal and professional reasons. He wanted to come back as a Master Sergeant with the ability to “fix things” and make a difference in the base community, improving operations and morale wherever possible. Additionally, returning to Minot meant being closer to his wife’s family, offering a strong sense of home and stability after years of military moves.
Today, Mr. Richard continues his service as a Civilian employee in a General Schedule, or “GS,” position. He currently serves as the Chief of Installation Personnel Readiness (IPR), where he oversees deployment readiness at the base level. His role is essential in ensuring that Airmen are properly trained, equipped, and prepared to deploy when called upon. Managing this responsibility requires extensive coordination, attention to detail, and an understanding of both the operational and personal sides of readiness.
For Mr. Richard, transitioning from active duty to civilian service was not an end to his Air Force career, it was simply a new chapter. He feels that working as a civilian employee allows him to continue serving, just in a different capacity. He takes pride in still being part of the mission, ensuring that operations run smoothly, and that Airmen have what they need to succeed. In his current role, he continues to uphold the same standards and dedication that guided him throughout his time in uniform. Although he may no longer wear the rank, he still plays a vital role in making sure things get done and that the base maintains its readiness.
Reflecting on his decades of service, Mr. Richard noted how much the Air Force has evolved over time. He observed that many policies and standards seem to come “full circle,” as he put it, noting that trends and changes often repeat themselves. “If you’ve been in long enough, you see things come back,” he said. He believes that as time passes, standards tend to loosen and then tighten again, a natural rhythm in any large organization. “It’s all about what we are willing to put up with,” he added, emphasizing the importance of accountability and consistency.
CMSgt (Ret) Richard’s career stands as a testament to dedication, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to the mission of the U.S. Air Force. From his early days as an enlisted Airman to his current role as a GS Civilian leading personnel readiness, his story reflects the values of service before self and excellence in all he does, principles that continue to guide his work today.
Read the full “Tribute to Service” feature at https://www.nordaknorth.com/newspapers/northernsentry/online-issues/tribute-to-service-2025/
