Richard D. Clarke

Richard D. Clarke
Born	(1962-07-23) July 23, 1962 Germany
Allegiance	United States
Service / branch	United States Army
Years of service	1984–present
Rank	Lieutenant General
Commands	Director for Strategic Plans and Policy, J-5, Joint Staff
Battles / wars	Iraqi Freedom Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Inherent Resolve
Awards	Army Distinguished Service Medal (2) Defense Superior Service Medal (3) Legion of Merit (2)

Lieutenant General Richard Douglas Clarke Jr. (born July 23, 1962) is Director for Strategic Plans and Policy, Joint Staff, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C. He provides strategic direction, policy guidance, and planning focus to develop and execute the National Military Strategy. Through the Director Strategic Plans and Policy, he enables the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to provide military advice to the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the National Security Council.

Military career

Clarke was born in Germany and raised in an Army family. He was commissioned into the Infantry in 1984 upon graduation from the United States Military Academy at West Point. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from West Point and a Master of Business Administration from Benedictine College. He is a 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 6 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. He also served as commander of 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division from 2002 to 2004. His most recent assignments include serving as the Director of Operations, Joint Special Operations Command from 2009 to 2011; 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 48th active duty commander of the 82nd Airborne Division.

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.

Awards and decorations

Combat Infantryman Badge with Star (denoting 2nd award)

Expert Infantryman Badge

Master Parachutist Badge

Ranger tab

Military Free Fall Parachutist Badge

Air Assault Badge

Irish Parachutist Badge in gold

Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge

82nd Airborne Division CSIB

75th Ranger Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia

8 Overseas Service Bars

	Army Distinguished Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster
	Defense Superior Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
	Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
	Bronze Star with four oak leaf clusters
	Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
	Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
	Army Achievement Medal with one silver and one bronze oak leaf clusters
	Army Presidential Unit Citation
	Navy Presidential Unit Citation
	Valorous Unit Award
	Meritorious Unit Commendation
	National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star
	Southwest Asia Service Medal with service star
	Afghanistan Campaign Medal with service star
	Iraq Campaign Medal with three service stars
	Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
	Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
	Armed Forces Service Medal
	Army Service Ribbon
	Army Overseas Service Ribbon with bronze award numeral 5
	United Nations Medal
	Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
	Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)