Chad Rickard was born and raised in Central Pennsylvania. While attending college in 1991 he was inspired to join the military at the onset of the first Gulf War, following a family history of military service from the American Revolution, the Civil war, both World Wars and Vietnam. He spent the first 27 years of his adult life in service to his Nation. As will many Americans, his life was profoundly changed following the attacks on 9/11 and he chose to devote his life to the military, in lieu of other careers that would have kept him closer to home. Chad proudly served as an infantryman throughout his time in the U.S. Army and has been decorated numerous times for actions in combat, including several awards for Valor and a few Purple Hearts for wounds received in combat. He is a life-member of the VFW, the National Infantry Association, and the Military Order of the Purple Heart. He is currently retired and enjoys spending time with his family on the central coast of California.
