Command Sergeant Major Richard Williams Jr. is a native of Prichard, Alabama. He enlisted in the United States Army on 29 July 1997 as a 92A Automated Logistical Specialist. He attended Basic Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina and Advanced Individual Training at the US Army Quartermaster School at Fort Lee, Virginia.
Command Sergeant Major Williams’s first assignment was with the 82nd Forward Support Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC. Moving to Apache and Comanche Troops, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Polk, LA and Headquarters and Headquarters Battery and Service Battery, 3-4 Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC and Echo Company, 1-1 ADA, Okinawa, Japan. Then, moving to Headquarters Support Company 1st Battalion 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), Torii Station, Okinawa, Japan.
He also served Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, NC and Headquarters and Headquarters Company and Alpha Company 302d BSB, Camp Casey, South Korea and his next assignment was Headquarters Support Company, 2nd Infantry Division Headquarters, Camp Red Cloud, South Korea. He then served Service and Distribution Company, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Carson, CO. HHC, 203RD CS BDE, Fort Benning, GA. Alpha Company, 3-81 Armored Regiment, Fort Benning, GA. Bravo Company 2-47 INF BN, Fort Benning, GA. Charlie Company, 1st BN, 81st Armored BN, Fort Benning, GA. 194th AR BDE, Fort Benning, GA. Special Operations Command Pacific, Camp Smith, HI. USASMA and NCOL CoE, Fort Bliss, TX. His last assignment is Cyber Center of Excellence, G4 SGM, Fort Gordon, GA.
He has deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom in Iraq and the Philippines. Command Sergeant Major Williams’s military education includes the Basic Leadership Course, Advanced Leadership Course, Senior Leader Course, Battle Staff Noncommissioned Officer Course, Master Resilience Training, Support Operations Course, Joint Logistics Course, Theater Sustainment Planners Course, Battalion Command Sergeant Major Development Program, and the Battalion Pre-Command Course He has held every key leadership position including Section Sergeant, Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant, Senior Logistics NCO, First Sergeant, and Operations Sergeant. He is a graduate of the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy (USASMA) Class #70. He holds an Associate in Arts in Supply Chain Management from Coastline Community College, Bachelor of Arts in Leadership and Workforce Development from the Command and General Staff College, and a Master of Science in Human Resources Management from Excelsior University.
Command Sergeant Major Williams awards and decorations include: the Meritorious Service Medal with (3 OLC), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with (4 OLC), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal (3 OLC), Army Good Conduct Medal with (8th award), National Defense Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal (3 campaign stars), Global War of Terrorism Service Medal, Global War of Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Non-Commission Officer Professional Development Ribbon (with numeral 5), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon with Numeral 4. He is also a recipient of the Distinguished Order of Saint Martin and recognized by The International Society of Logistics (SOLE) as a Demonstrated Master Logistician, and the Noble Patron of Armor.
Command Sergeant Major Williams is married and has four children.