CMSgt Richard P. Marks is the Command Chief Master Sergeant of the 103d Airlift Wing, Bradley Air National Guard Base, Connecticut He is the wing’s senior enlisted leader and principal advisor to the commander on matters affecting the health, morale, welfare, readiness, professional development, and effective utilization of more than 1,200 personnel at both Bradley Air National Guard Base and it’s Geographically Separated Unit in Orange, Connecticut. The chief ensures the commanders’ directions and policies are carried out and the Airmen understand and are dedicated to the mission of the command while also being responsible for the professional development and proper utilization of the wing’s enlisted force. Additionally, Chief Marks works in concert with other enlisted leaders such as group Senior Enlisted Leaders and first sergeants to oversee the readiness, training, health, morale, welfare, quality of life and force development of wing personnel.
CMSgt Marks was born in Hartford, Connecticut and enlisted in the Connecticut Air National Guard in June 2000 as a Security Forces Apprentice. He became an Active Guard and Reserve member in 2003. His background includes various duties across the full spectrum of Security Forces Operations ranging from Installation Entry Controller to Security Forces Manager supporting both CONUS and OCONUS missions. Sergeant Marks has served overseas in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM on three separate occasions, and has supported several CONUS missions to include Hurricane Katrina relief in 2005. Prior to his current position, Chief Marks was the Senior Enlisted Leader, 103d Security Forces Squadron, East Granby, Conn.
EDUCATION
2000 Security Forces Apprentice Course, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
2004 Airman Leadership School, McGhee Tyson ANGB, Tenn.
2006 Associates in Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice, Community College of the Air Force, Gunter Annex, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2009 Phoenix Raven Qualification Course, Fort Belvoir, Va.
2007 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2009 Phoenix Raven Qualification Course, Fort Belvoir, Md.
2013 Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2013 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Course I (by correspondence), Joint Forces Staff College
2013 Active Shooter Incident Response Instructor Course, Joint Base San Antonio Lackland, Texas
2015 Principles of Instruction Course, March Air Reserve Base, Riverside, Calif.
2017 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell AFB-Gunter Annex, Ala.
2020 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Course II (by correspondence), Joint Forces Staff College
2023 Chief Master Sergeant Leadership Academy, Maxwell AFB-Gunter Annex, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
1.August 2000 – October 2000, Student, US Air Force Basic Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
2. October 2000 – January 2001, Student, US Air Force Security Forces Academy, Lackland AFB, Texas
3. January 2001 – May 2002, Security Forces Journeyman, 103d Security Forces Squadron, Bradley ANGB, Conn.
4. June 2003 – August 2007, Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of Security Forces Logistics, 103d Security Forces Squadron, Bradley ANGB, Conn. (March 2002 – June 2002, Installation Entry Controller, 380th ESFS/SFO, Al Dhafra AB, United Arab Emirates) (December 2002 – June 2003, Security Escort Team Member, 386th ESFS/S3O, Ali Al Salem AB, Kuwait)
5. August 2007 – February 2008, Noncommissioned Officer in Chage of Security Forces Training, 376th ESFS/S3O, Manas AB, Kyrgyzstan (Operation Enduring Freedom)
6. February 2008 – December 2016, Noncommissioned Officer in Chage of Security Forces Training, 103d Security Forces Squadron, Bradley ANGB, Conn.
7. December 2016 – December 2017, Operations Superintendent, 103d Security Forces Squadron, Bradley ANGB, Conn.
8. December 2017 – December 2023; Senior Enlisted Leader, 103d Security Forces Squadron, Bradley ANGB, Conn.
9. December 2023 – Present; Wing Command Chief Master Sergeant, 103d Airlift Wing, Bradley ANGB, Conn.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with valor device and two oak leaf clusters
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with seven oak leaf clusters
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2002 Airman of the Year, 103d Security Forces Squadron
2002 Airman of the Year, 103d Fighter Wing
2002 Airman of the Year, Connecticut Air National Guard
2002 Airman of the Year, Air National Guard Security Forces
2004 John L. Levitow Award, Airman Leadership School
2009 NCO of the Year, 103d Security Forces Squadron
2009 NCO of the Year, 103d Mission Support Group
2009 Commanders Award, 103d Airlift Wing
2013 NCO of the Year, 103d Security Forces Squadron
2013 NCO of the Year, 103d Airlift Wing
2013 NCO of the Year, Connecticut Air National Guard
2015 SNCO of the Year, 103d Security Forces Squadron
2015 SNCO of the Year, 103d Mission Support Group
2017 John L. Levitow Award, Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Air Force Association (AFA)
Air Force Security Forces Association (AFSFA)
National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS)
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman First Class June 28, 2000
Senior Airman June 1, 2001 Staff Sergeant July 1, 2004 Technical Sergeant Oct. 12, 2006
Master Sergeant Feb. 1, 2014
Senior Master Sergeant June 15, 2018
Chief Master Sergeant Feb. 24, 2021
(Current as of December 2023)