Richard Douglas Clarke Jr (born 1962)

Richard Douglas Clarke Jr. (born July 23, 1962) is a United States Army four-star general who currently serves as the 12th commander of United States Special Operations Command at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. He assumed his current assignment on March 29, 2019. He previously served as Director of Operations, Joint Special Operations Command on Operation Neptune Spear.

Military career

General Richard D. Clarke currently serves as the 12th Commander of United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida since March 29, 2019.

Clarke was born in West Germany and raised in an Army family. He is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, and commissioned into the Infantry Branch in 1984. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from West Point and a Master of Business Administration from Benedictine College. He is a distinguished graduate of the National War College and earned a master's degree in Security and Strategic Studies.

Clarke has led soldiers at all levels in Airborne, Ranger, Mechanized and Light Infantry units in five different divisions, the 173rd Airborne Brigade, and the 75th Ranger Regiment in the United States, Europe, Iraq and Afghanistan. Clarke spent eight years in the 75th Ranger Regiment as a company commander from 1994 to 1996, then as a battalion commander from 2004 to 2006 and regimental commander from 2007 to 2009. He also served as battalion commander of 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division from 2002 to 2004. His most recent assignments include serving as the Director for Strategic Plans and Policy (J5), Joint Staff, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C. from 2017 to 2019. General Clarke's other assignments as a general office include: Deputy Commanding General for Operations, 10th Mountain Division from 2011 to 2013; the 74th Commandant of Cadets, United States Military Academy at West Point from 2013 to 2014; and the Commander of the 82nd Airborne Division from 2014 to 2016.

Clarke's deployments while serving in the aforementioned positions include Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Operation Joint Guardian in Macedonia, three deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, four deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and one deployment as the commander of the Combined Joint Forces Land Component Command – Operation Inherent Resolve.^[3]

Awards and decorations

Combat Infantryman Badge with Star (denoting 2nd award)

Expert Infantryman Badge

Master Parachutist Badge with background trimming

Ranger tab

Military Free Fall Parachutist Badge

http://jitc.fhu.disa.mil/organization/aboutJitc/leaders/dcmdr.aspx

ACTING DEPUTY COMMANDER

Mr. Richard Clarke

DUTIES PERFORMED: Assists with oversight of a broad range of Command wide test operations to include testing, workforce, facilities, contracts, security, safety, policy, and infrastructure

LENGTH OF TIME IN GOVERNMENT SERVICE: 18 Years

LENGTH OF TIME IN DISA: 18 Years

EDUCATION: B.S. Systems Engineering, University of Arizona

PREVIOUS ASSIGNMENTS:

2013-2018 - Joint Interoperability Test Command, Fort Huachuca, AZ

Chief Engineer/Technical Advisor – Led JITC strategic planning initiatives, ensured quality of T&E products, and provided oversight to JITC test infrastructure

Division Chief – Managed Strategic Plans and Engineering Division – Ensured compliance with DOD policy, promoted engineering best practices, and provided automation and instrumentation services

2011-2013 – DISA, Test and Evaluation Organization, Fort Meade, MD

Acting Deputy Test and Evaluation Executive – Provided strategic T&E guidance and oversight for DISA, ensured effective and efficient execution of JITC T&E Services

2000 to 2007 – Joint Interoperability Test Command, Fort Huachuca, AZ

Division Chief – Managed Joint Distributed Engineering Plant and Test Operations Divisions providing test infrastructure for joint T&E

Branch Chief – Managed Air and Missile Defense Systems Branch performing of T&E of joint tactical data link capabilities

1987 to 2000 - Comarco Incorporated, Sierra Vista AZ

Technical Director – Provided technical oversight of contractor staff performing operational and interoperability T&E of joint systems at JITC

Instrumentation Chief – Managed contractor staff at Electronic Proving Ground developing instrumentation for T&E of Army systems

Electronics Engineer – Contractor task lead and instrumentation developer supporting T&E of Joint and Army acquisition at JITC and EPG

https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2019/04/02/from-75th-ranger-regiment-to-the-pentagon-gen-clarke-now-helms-socom/

2019-04-02-armytimes-com-gen-clarke-now-helms-socom.pdf

From 75th Ranger Regiment to the Pentagon, Gen. Clarke now helms SOCOM

Kyle Rempfer

April 2, 2019

Gen. Richard D. Clarke took control of U.S. Special Operations Command from Gen. Raymond A. Thomas III during a change of command ceremony in Tampa, Florida, on Friday.

Clarke, 56, is coming to SOCOM from his role as the director for strategic plans and policy, joint staff at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C. He has led soldiers in five different divisions, the 173rd Airborne Brigade, and the 75th Ranger Regiment in Europe, Iraq, Afghanistan and stateside, according to a command news release.

He also served six years in the 75th Ranger Regiment as a company commander from 1994 to 1996, battalion commander from 2004 to 2006 and regimental commander from 2007 to 2009, according to the release.

Now, Clarke will be responsible for syncing special operations forces from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps.

As the Pentagon begins to focus more on peer adversaries like Russia and China, SOCOM’s new leader will be challenged to maintain the momentum against the violent extremist organizations that once preoccupied the whole of government.

A glimpse of Clarke’s agenda

The world continues to evolve and increase in complexity, Clarke told the Senate Armed Services Committee during his Dec. 4 confirmation hearing.

“While violent extremism persists, challenging regional stability and threatening our interest, near peer competitors grow in both capability and intent to contest our vital national interest," he said.

Clarke will be assuming command of a special operations structure that has participated in the defeat of the Islamic State’s physical territory in Iraq and Syria over the past five years, while still wrangling with extremist groups across multiple combatant commands.

In Afghanistan, the Taliban still have an estimated 60,000 personnel at their disposal, according to Marine Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., who leads Central Command.

SOCOM troops are in the country conducting advise and assist missions alongside Afghan special operations forces, providing planning and operational knowledge, as well as a vital link to U.S. air power.

Clarke conducted his confirmation hearing roughly one week after two Army Green Berets and an Air Force special tactics airman were killed by a roadside bomb in Ghazni province, Afghanistan.

“We’ve double the amount of Afghan commandos to be able to help with the strategy to put the pressure on the Taliban and I think that effort is bearing fruit," Clarke said.

SOCOM isn’t just focused on counter-insurgency, however. The command is uniquely qualified to counter the maligned activities of Russia and China, Clarke said in December.

Clarke said he wasn’t currently asking for more SOCOM operators, but that missions abroad could expand.

For instance, U.S. special operators are already “conducting training with special operations forces from nations that are within NATO and within Russia’s near abroad,” Clarke said.

Other units within SOCOM, like military information support operations, psychological operations and civil affairs, could also see a boost under Clarke.

“Some are actually stationed in embassies around the world in support of the chief of mission at those embassies. Those help build a network,” Clarke said. “I’m not advocating for additional resources at this time, but I am looking to make sure that the people are prioritized in the right places.”

Gen. Thomas’ retirement

Thomas, 60, has commanded SOCOM since March 2016, and is now retiring after nearly four decades of military service.

“I’m compelled to acknowledge that the opportunity with the SOCOM team has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life,” said Thomas. “I was quickly amazed by the span and scope of our organizational activities and extraordinary leaders that comprised this eclectic headquarters.”

Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan presided over the change-of-command ceremony and commended Thomas for his service.

“Since the day you pinned on the black and gold Ranger tab you’ve been leading the way. This includes your numerous combat deployments in support of historic missions from Operation Urgent Fury in 1983 to Operation Enduring Freedom in 2013,” Shanahan said.

Thomas deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq multiple times from 2001 to 2013, and was wounded in combat in 2009, Shanahan said.

"In 39 years of distinguished service, you’ve embodied the West Point motto duty, honor, country,” he added.

https://www.socom.mil/Documents/GEN%20CLARKE%20BIO%20PHOTO%20-%2015APR19.pdf

General Richard D. Clarke Commander, U.S. Special Operations CommandGeneral Richard D. Clarke currently serves as the 12thCommanderof U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base, FL.Prior to assuming command of USSOCOM, General Clarke served as Director for Strategic Plans and Policy (J5), Joint Staff, thePentagon, Washington, D.C.General Clarke’s other assignments as a general officer include:Deputy Commanding General for Operations, 10th Mountain Division from 2011 to 2013; the 74th Commandant of Cadets, United States Military Academy at West Point from 2013 to 2014; and the Commander of the 82nd Airborne Division.His formative and key, Army and special operations, assignments include: Director of Operations, Joint Special Operations Command from 2009 to 2011. Eight years in the 75thRanger Regiment first as a company commander, then as a battalion commander, and finally as the regimental commander. He also served as commander of 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division.General Clarke has led Soldiers at all levels in Airborne, Ranger, Mechanized and Light Infantry units in five different divisions, the 173rd Airborne Brigade, and the 75th Ranger Regiment in the United States, Europe, Iraq and Afghanistan. His deployments while serving in the aforementioned positions include Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Operation Joint Guardian in Macedonia, three deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, four deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and one deployment as the commander of the Combined Joint Forces Land Component Command - Operation Inherent Resolve.General Clarke was born in Germany and raised in an Army family. He is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY, and was commissioned into the Infantry in 1984. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from West Point and a Master of Business Administration from Benedictine College. He is a distinguished graduate of the National War College earning a master's degree in Security and Strategic Studies

https://www.fayobserver.com/article/20141003/News/310039667

By Amanda Dolasinski Staff writer

Posted Oct 3, 2014 at 12:01 AM Updated Oct 3, 2014 at 11:36 AM

After thanking 82nd Airborne Division paratroopers for their service, incoming commander Brig. Gen. Richard D. Clarke looked out onto Pike Field on Friday, assuring them of his leadership.

“What I pledge to this entire division, with all my heart and all my soul, is I will give 100 percent every day and that I will lead by example in all regards,” he said. “I will do my utmost every day to assure the paratroopers and their families are well resourced and well led.”

Clarke became the division’s newest commander Friday after Maj. Gen. John W. Nicholson Jr. relinquished command during a ceremony on Fort Bragg. Nicholson had been the division’s commander since October 2012.

Neither Clarke nor Nicholson were available for interviews Friday.

Clarke was most recently the 74th commandant of cadets at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York. He was born in Germany and raised in an Army family, according to the division.

Clarke was commissioned after graduating from West Point in 1984 and holds degrees from that school, Benedictine College and the National War College.

Clarke has led soldiers in airborne, ranger, mechanized and light infantry units. He has served with five divisions, the 173rd Airborne Brigade and 75th Ranger Regiment, where he spent six years in total, including time as a company commander, battalion commander and regimental commander.

At Fort Bragg, Clarke commanded the 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, from 2002 to 2004 and later served as director of operations for Joint Special Operations Command from 2009 to 2011.

The general has deployed in support of operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Operation Joint Guardian in Macedonia, three times in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and four times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

During his comments to guests, Clarke said his family has moved 18 times - three to Fort Bragg - for his Army career. This move was supported unanimously by his family, he said.

“We are honored, thrilled and excited but most of all humbled to be joining the ranks of this division and back in the Fayetteville community again,” he said. “This one was much easier because we felt like we were coming back home.”

In addition to his family, dozens of West Point graduates from the class of 1984 attended the ceremony. Clarke joked that they attended out of curiosity and skepticism.

He thanked the paratroopers for their service and urged them to be ready.

“What I ask from each of you is to be ready,” he said. “We are currently in the most vulnerable and uncertain time in this world and that our nation has ever known. We could have as little as 18 hours between alert and wheels up, and failure is not an option. At the end of the day, we will be judged by the American people as to whether or not we accomplished the mission. We must be ready; we will be ready.”

Nicholson had commanded the division since October 2012. He has been selected for promotion to lieutenant general and will next be assigned as commander of Allied Land, Command, NATO in Izmir, Turkey.

The division is the “most highly trained and combat-ready division in the United States Army - indeed, in the entire world,” Nicholson said during the ceremony. “Some have raised the concern that our soldiers in this division are tired. I assure everyone that we are not tired; we are ready. We’re ready to jump, fight and win anytime, anywhere in defense of our nation’s security, and we always will be.”

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http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_view.aspx?Id=12518668&Type=Marriage

1961

https://www.newspapers.com/image/3444344/?terms=%22Richard%2BD%2BClarke%22

Mar 1961

https://www.newspapers.com/image/74537170/?terms=%22Richard%2BD%2BClarke%22

martinsburgh west virginia ?

https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/9279/43069_182029001786_0216-00142?pid=13461974&treeid=&personid=&rc=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=Hfb40&_phstart=successSource

1940 census

https://www.findmypast.com/transcript?id=USC%2F1940%2F1504438341

https://www.findmypast.com/transcript?id=US%2FFS%2FM%2F050581138%2F2

https://www.findmypast.com/transcript?id=US%2FWV%2FDEATHS%2F0606067