Rick Lynch | |
|---|---|
 Lynch as commander of the United States Army Installation Management Command in 2010 | |
| Born | 1955 (age 70–71) Hamilton, Ohio, US |
| Service | United States Army |
| Service years | 1977–2012 |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Unit | US Army Corps of Engineers US Army Armor Branch |
| Commands | 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division 3rd Infantry Division III Armored Corps United States Army Installation Management Command |
| Wars | Gulf War Kosovo Force Iraq War |
| Awards | Army Distinguished Service Medal (2) Defense Superior Service Medal (2) Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star Medal (2) Defense Meritorious Service Medal Joint Service Commendation Medal Army Achievement Medal (2) |
| Alma mater | United States Military Academy Massachusetts Institute of Technology United States Army Command and General Staff College United States Army War College |
| Spouse |
Sarah Cockerham (m. 1982) |
| Children | 2[1] |
| Other work | Leadership and strategic planning consultant Public speaker Author |
Rick Lynch (born 1955) is a retired United States Army officer. A 1977 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, he served from 1977 until retiring in 2012. He attained the rank of lieutenant general, and his command assignments included: 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment; 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division; 3rd Infantry Division; III Armored Corps; and United States Army Installation Management Command. He is a veteran of the Iraq War, and his awards include the two awards of the Army Distinguished Service Medal, two awards of the Defense Superior Service Medal, two awards of the Legion of Merit, two awards of the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, and two awards of the Army Achievement Medal.
Biography
Rick Lynch was born in Hamilton, Ohio in 1955, a son of Calvin Lynch and Dorothy "Dodi" Lynch.[1][2][3] He was raised and educated in Hamilton, and is a 1973 graduate of Hamilton's Taft High School (now Hamilton High School).[4] In 1973, he was appointed to the United States Military Academy by US Representative Walter E. Powell.[4] Lynch graduated in 1977 and received his commission as a second lieutenant of Engineers.[5] During his college career Lynch attained the rank of cadet captain and regimental commander. He was on the dean's list, was at the head of his Russian language class, was a member of the freshman volleyball club, and played intra-mural handball, soccer, and flickerball.[5]
Military and civilian education
- United States Military Academy, Bachelor of Science, general studies, 1977[5]
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Master of Science, mechanical engineering with robotics focus, 1985[6]
- Engineer Officer Basic Course[7]
- Armor Officer Advanced Course[7]
- Combined Arms and Services Staff School (CAS3)[7]
- United States Army Command and General Staff College[7]
- United States Army War College, 1996[7][8]
Military career
Lynch's early assignments included command of a combat engineer company and a mobile assault bridge company in the 17th Engineer Battalion.[9] After transferring to the Armor branch, he served as executive officer of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment during Operation Desert Storm.[10] Lynch later commanded 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment and 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division.[9] Major staff assignments included: Joint Chiefs of Staff Joint Advanced Warfighting Program; robotics project officer at the Armor Center's combat development directorate; and chief of force development at the Armor Center.[11] Assignments after attaining general officer rank in 2001 included: assistant division commander, 4th Infantry Division; chief of staff, Kosovo Force; and deputy chief of staff for operations, Allied Joint Force Command Naples.[9] During the Iraq War, he served as deputy chief of staff for strategic effects and press spokesman for Multi-National Force – Iraq.[9]
Lynch commanded the 3rd Infantry Division from 2006 to 2008, including deployment to Iraq during the Iraq War troop surge of 2007.[9] After returning to the United States, he was assigned to command III Armored Corps.[9] His final assignment prior to retiring in 2012 was commander of the United States Army Installation Management Command and the army's assistant chief of staff for Installation Management.[9]
Later career
Lynch's post-military career included work as executive director of the University of Texas at Arlington Research Institute (UTARI), where he was responsible for developing partnerships between the faculty and staff, industry, and government.[12] He also authored several books, including:
- We're Not Robots: How Leading with Humanity Creates High-Performing Organizations
- Adapt or Die: Leadership Principles from an American General
- Work Hard, Pray Hard: The Power of Faith in Action.[12]
In addition, Lynch formed R Lynch Enterprises, which provides speaking services and consulting on topics including strategic planning and leadership.[6]
Awards
Lynch's major awards include:[10][13]
- Army Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
- Defense Superior Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
- Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
- Soldier's Medal
- Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster
- Defense Meritorious Service Medal
- Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
- Joint Service Commendation Medal
- Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters
- Army Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
- Parachutist Badge
- Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge
In 2023, Lynch was the commencement speaker at Clarkson University and was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Engineering.[14][15]
References
- ^ a b c "The Family First Program: Lt. Gen. Rick Lynch". Austin American-Statesman. Austin, Texas. 16 August 2009. p. A8 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Obituary, Dorothy "Dodi" Lynch". Journal-News. Hamilton, Ohio. 9 March 2009. p. C2 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Obituary, Calvin Lynch". Journal-News. Hamilton, Ohio. 14 June 2016. p. B4 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Lynch selected for West Point". Journal-News. Hamiton, Ohio. 19 April 1973. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c Moeller, Bill (15 May 1977). "West Point readies for graduation". Journal-News. Hamilton, Ohio. p. D-2 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Newman, Jake (9 May 2023). "Lieutenant General Rick Lynch, U.S. Army (Retired) to Receive Honorary Degree at Clarkson University in May". Clarkson.edu. Potsdam, New York: Clarkson University.
- ^ a b c d e Lynch, Rick; Cichock, Stephen M. (July–August 1996). "Training the Task Force Scout Platoon" (PDF). Armor. Fort Knox, Kentucky: U.S. Army Armor Center. pp. 42–44.
- ^ "Books By Grads And Faculty" (PDF). Army War College Foundation and Alumni News. Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania: Army War College Foundation. Spring 2020. p. 27.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Biography, Rick Lynch". Gary Sinise Foundation.org. Nashville, Tennessee: Gary Sinise Foundation. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
- ^ a b Fort Hood Public Affairs Office (29 November 2011). "Fort Hood to honor former post leaders during departure ceremony". DVIDS. Fort Meade, Maryland: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service.
- ^ Lynch, Rick; Johnson, Todd (January–February 2009). "How We Operate". Armor. Fort Knox, Kentucky: U.S. Army Armor Center. pp. 18–20 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b "Speaker's Biography, Rick Lynch". APB Speakers.com. Newton, Massachusetts: American Program Bureau, Inc. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
- ^ McVeigh, Alex (3 November 2009). "IMCOM changes command". Army.mil. Washington, DC: US Army Public Affairs.
- ^ "LTG (R) Rick Lynch '77 to Receive Honorary Degree at Clarkson University". West Point AOG.org. West Point, New York: West Point Association of Graduates. 17 May 2023.
- ^ "Past Honorary Degree recipients; 2023; Lieutenant General Rick Lynch". Honorary Degrees. Potsdam, New York: Clarkson University. 11 May 2023.
