Command Sergeant Major (Ret.) Richard “Rick” Lamb

U.S. Army Special Forces Regiment.

Honorary Sergeant Major of the Special Forces Regiment.

USSOCOM Commando Hall of Honor.

Richard “Rick” Lamb is a retired Command Sergeant Major with over forty years’ experience executing Joint, Combined, and Interagency Special Operations around the world. He led soldiers in operations spanning the tactical level to the strategic in over forty-nine countries, across five Continents, and in six Geographic Combatant Commands. He spent more than twelve years overseas and participated in almost every major combat operation encompassing Operation EAGLE CLAW through Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.

Rick served in two Ranger Battalions, two Infantry Battalions, four Special Forces Groups, two Theater Special Operations Commands, and Joint Special Operations Task Force – Horn of Africa. Following military service, the United States Special Operations Command selected Rick to participate in a program designated Special Operations Forces for Life. He cross-trained as a Defense Intelligence Agency analyst and joined a small team of interagency experts in an innovative effort to rapidly gain actionable intelligence for emergent man-hunting operations in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.

As a member of the Expanding Global SOF Network Operational Planning Team he helped USSOCOM create the first International Directorate within the Command and integrated twenty-four Allied Officers from seventeen Partner Nations into trans-regional planning initiatives.  This ground-breaking initiative received commendation from the Director of National Intelligence and had significant impact on Operation INHERANT RESOLVE and Operation GALLANT PHEONIX.

While assigned to Special Operations Command – Korea, Rick was instrumental in negotiating the assignment of a Republic of Korea Exchange Officer to USSOCOM. He worked tirelessly to implement the rotational force structure required to successfully execute the Korea OPLAN and integrated United Nations Sending State partners into select Special Operations planning initiatives and Theater Exercises. He also assisted Republic of Korea Special Operations Forces in their efforts to transform force structure and airlift capabilities to meet the increased asymmetric threat posed by North Korea.

Rick earned the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Purple Heart and two Combat Infantry Badges. He is a recipient of the Joint Civilian Commendation Medal, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Joint Meritorious Civilian Service Medal; and a member of the USSOCOM Commando Hall of Honor, the Ranger Hall of Fame, and the Order of Saint Maurice – Primicerius. Rick was also awarded the Veterans of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) Award of Excellence and the USSOCOM Arthur “Bull” Simons Award for lifetime achievement.

In retirement, CSM(R) Lamb serves as the Honorary Sergeant Major of the Special Forces Regiment, receiving his appointment in 2021. He also acts as a Military Liaison for two 501(c) (3) Non-Profit organizations: The Round Canopy Parachuting Team USA whose members conduct Airborne Operations around the world, utilizing Vintage Military Aircraft to commemorate Paratroopers and those Veterans who fought to defeat despotism; and the Global Special Operations Forces Foundation, the premiere DoD National Military Association authorized to advocate for Special Operations Forces. He lives in Tampa, Florida with his wife of thirty-seven years Heiran; and is the proud father of two grown children.