Colonel Richard Morrison’s Air Force career is a rare and powerful example of dedication, resilience, and leadership rooted in experience at every level of service. From his beginnings as an Airman Basic to his recent promotion to Colonel, Morrison’s path reflects more than three decades of commitment to mission, people, and the Air Force core values.
Born in Sulphur, Louisiana, Col Morrison enlisted in the United States Air Force in August 1992 after entering the Delayed Enlistment Program in December 1991 during his senior year of high school. With no immediate family members who had served in the military, he entered basic training eager to learn what the Air Force was all about. He began his career in Civil Engineering, where he developed a strong work ethic and an appreciation for teamwork and accountability.
While serving on active duty, Col Morrison pursued higher education and graduated from Wayland Baptist University in 2003. After 13 years as an enlisted Airman and having reached the rank of Master Sergeant, he was commissioned as an officer in May 2006 and entered the missile operations career field.
The transition from a senior enlisted leader to second lieutenant was not without challenges. At the time of his commissioning, Col Morrison had been serving as a flight superintendent with more than 30 Airmen under his leadership. Moving to a position where he was expected to learn from the ground up required humility and patience. Over time, he acclimated, excelled, and continued to build a reputation as a trusted and capable leader.
Throughout his career, Col Morrison consistently leveraged his enlisted background to connect with Airmen. His prior-enlisted perspective allowed him to mentor, guide, and relate to those he led, whether during missile operations assignments, maintenance exchange programs, or while serving in leadership roles across the enterprise.
Now serving as the 91st Operations Group Deputy Commander, Colonel Morrison holds a unique distinction. Aside from General Davis and Lt. Gen. Armagost, he is the longest-serving active-duty member currently serving within Air Force Global Strike Command. His career spans service under six U.S. presidents and seven major commands, reflecting continuity, adaptability, and institutional knowledge.
At his promotion ceremony, Colonel (Ret) Deane Konowicz, who presided over the event, described Morrison as “a leader who leads with confidence, professionalism and courage. He has exceeded every expectation on every level.”
Col Morrison attributes much of his success to strong mentorship and leadership, particularly during challenging periods early in his missile operations career. Those experiences shaped his leadership philosophy, which emphasizes accountability, honest feedback, and genuine care for Airmen and their families. He has often stated that taking care of Airmen is not always about giving them what they want, but about helping them achieve their goals and holding them to high standards.
His promotion is also a moment of pride for his family, who have shared the sacrifices and triumphs of his career. His son Jesse spoke of the legacy his father has created, saying, “It is truly and deeply an honor to be your son. You have shown and taught me everything and gave me all the lessons even when I didn’t even know you were teaching them. To try to create and live a legacy of my own that I can only hope to be as great as the one you’ve created and will leave behind.” Jesse added that his father’s influence extends far beyond the uniform, noting that his father has touched countless lives and inspired others to follow in his footsteps. “Words cannot express how thankful and proud I am of you,” he said.
His daughter Savannah reflected on both her father’s accomplishments and the values he instilled. She shared that growing up as a military child taught her that people should never be separated by rank, background, or appearance. She expressed hope that her father’s promotion serves as a reminder that the American dream remains achievable. “I hope my father’s promotion is an inspiration that no matter who you are or where you come from, you can achieve your goals if you have the heart and determination to do it,” she said.
Colonel Morrison’s wife, Senior Master Sergeant (Ret) Marissa Morrison, reflected on his journey with pride. She credited his attention to detail, perseverance, and heart for people as the traits that carried him to this milestone. While she always believed in his leadership potential, she acknowledged that pinning on Colonel was not something she initially imagined given the length of his career. She offered words of pride and encouragement. “Sweetheart, I am super proud of you. I know you could not have imagined that you would be where you are now. Let Airmen see the leadership you bring and remember to take care of the small details as this is how we solve the bigger issues. You have the ability to move mountains and accomplish any obstacle in your way. I will always be your number one fan and cheerleader, supporting you and encouraging you through it all. Let’s go!
Looking back on his promotion, Colonel Morrison reflected on how far he has come since enlisting as an Airman Basic. He credits the mentors, teammates, and family members who supported him throughout his career and hopes to be that same source of guidance and encouragement for future Airmen.
From his first day in uniform to his promotion to Colonel, Richard Morrison’s career stands as a testament to what is possible through determination, mentorship, and a commitment to leading with integrity.
