COL (R) Richard A. Clark Jr, was born in Ft. Bragg, NC. He graduated in 1981 from Ft. Knox High School in Ft. Knox, KY. His civilian education includes a Masters Degree in Strategic Studies from the United States War College, a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from The University of Phoenix and an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice from New Mexico Military Institute, Roswell, NM.

COL (R) Clark has graduated from a number of military schools.  He is a graduate of the United State Army War College, the Command and General Staff College, the Combined Arms Service Staff School, the Air Defense Artillery Officers Advance Course, the Air Defense Artillery Officers Basic Course, United States Army Airborne School, United States Army Quartermaster Officers Advance Course and United States Army Basic Training. 

COL (R) Clark’s Military career began when he was commissioned a 2LT from the New Mexico Military Institute in 1983.  He joined the National Guard in 1983 where he was with assigned to Detachment 1, Battery A Btry 2^nd  Bn (Duster) 200th ADA, Lordsburg, NM  as a Platoon Leader, in 1986 he was transferred to Battery A 2^nd  Bn (Duster) 200th ADA, Silver City,  as Platoon Leader.  He took command of Battery A 2^nd BN (Duster) 200^th ADA in 1988 while the unit went from Duster to Chaparral Missile System.   He was transferred in 1990 to the 111^th ADA Brigade to serve as the Assistant ADA Tactical Operations Officer.  He then transferred in 1991 to the S-3 section of the 111^th ADA Brigade as the Plans Officer.  In addition to his IDT job as Battalion S-1, he served on ADSW for the New Mexico National Guard Counter-Drug Support Task Force where he held jobs from LNO to the NM Department of Public Safety to the Task Force S-4.  In 1995, he was transferred to HHB, 1^st Battalion 200^th ADA (Chaparral) to serve as the Battalion S-1 until 1996 when he transferred to NMSU to serve as Assistant Professor of Military Science at the ROTC Department. In 1999, he served as the Corps Air Defense Officer for the I (US) Corps at Ft. Lewis. He then took over Command of 3-200 ADA BN (Avenger) Belen, NM in 2001. While serving as the battalion commander, he worked as the Recruiting and Retention Manager for the New Mexico Army National Guard. In 2003, he left command and took a position as the Deputy Chief of Staff, Logistics for the Army National Guard; then was transferred after two years to the Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, the J-3/5 for Joint Forces Headquarters, New Mexico National Guard. In addition, serviced as the Counterdrug Coordinator for the New Mexico National Guard where he is responsible for all operations along the Southwest border. In 2009, he was then transferred to the Deputy Chief of the Joint Staff a position he held until he retired from the National Guard on 31 January 2011 after serving 27 Years of active duty service. After retirement, he was promoted to Brigade General, and assigned to the position of Assistant Adjutant General of New Mexico for NM State Defense Force Affairs effective 1 February 2011.  

COL (R) Clark’s is currently serving in a civilian role with the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management as the Chief of the Intelligence and Security Bureau. He as attend the Anti-terrorism Level 1 & 4 course, the Security Engineering Course and the NMIS 100-800 level courses.  

COL (R) Clark’s numerous awards and decorations include the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (with 3 oak leaf clusters), the National Defense Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Legion of Merit Award and the New Mexico Distinguished Service Metal. 

COL (R) Clark is married to the former Sista M. Ortega of Bayard, New Mexico and resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico.