Brigadier General Richard Cipro
Brigadier General Richard Cipro is currently assigned as the Assistant Adjutant General, Army for the Massachusetts National Guard.
General Cipro began his long career in 1985, when he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard. Then in 1991, he joined the Massachusetts National Guard as a member of the 972nd Military Police Company. He then received his commission in 1999 when he graduated as a Distinguished Honor Graduate of the Officer Candidate School Program at the Massachusetts Regional Training Institute. He has since held the positions of Platoon Leader, Company Commander, Battalion Logistics Officer, Battalion Executive Officer, Provost Marshall, Battalion Commander, Brigade Commander, and Chief of Staff.
General Cipro has mobilized numerous times in support of national defense both here and abroad. In 2001, he mobilized in support of Operation Noble Eagle, to protect Boston Logan International Airport in the wake of the September 11th Attacks. He would then mobilize in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2002, and Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2009. In addition to these mobilizations, General Cipro has participated in numerous Homeland Security Missions including the 2004 Democratic National Convention, Boston Marathon, and US Capitol Response.
As a civilian, General Cipro serves in the Worcester Massachusetts Police Department, holding the rank of Sergeant. He has worked for the Department for more than 30 years. His responsibilities include organizing, training, and directing the activities of assigned law enforcement personnel and equipment, as directed by the Chief of Police.
EDUCATION
1991, Worcester State University, Bachelor of Art, History, Worcester, Massachusetts
1998, Anna Maria College, Master of Science, Criminal Justice, Paxton, Massachusetts
2016, Harvard University, Certificate, Leadership in Homeland Security, Cambridge, Massachusetts
2019, United States Naval War College, Master of Science, National Security and Strategic Studies, Newport, Rhode Island
2022, NORTHCOM, Certificate, Joint Task Force Commander Training Course, Colorado Springs, Colorado
2023, Harvard University, Certificate, Leadership in Crisis General and Flag Officer’s Seminar, Cambridge, Massachusetts
2024, NORTHCOM, Certificate, Dual Status Commander Course, Colorado Springs, Colorado
ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 1999-March 2004, Platoon Leader, 972nd Military Police Company, Reading, Massachusetts|
2. April 2004-December 2006, Commander, 747th Military Police Company, Ware, Massachusetts
3. January 2007-July 2010, Battalion Logistics Officer, 211th Military Police Battalion, Lexington, Massachusetts
4. August 2010-November 2012, Executive Officer, 211th Military Police Battalion, Lexington, Massachusetts
5. December 2012-July 2013, Plans Officer, 26th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Reading, Massachusetts
6. August 2013-July 2014, Military Police/Provost Marshall Operations Officer, 26th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Reading, Massachusetts
7. August 2014-October 2014, Deputy J7, Joint Force Headquarters, Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts
8. November 2014-September 2015, Plans and Policy Officer, Joint Force Headquarters, Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts
9. October 2015- August 2016, AT/FP/CIP Officer, Joint Force Headquarters, Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts
10. September 2016-September 2018, Battalion Commander, 211th Military Police Battalion, Lexington, Massachusetts
11. October 2018-November 2018, Deputy Commander, 26th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Natick, Massachusetts
12. December 2018-November 2019, Student, Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island
13. December 2019-January 2022, Brigade Commander, 79th Troop Command, Rehoboth, Massachusetts
14. February 2022- September 2024, Chief of Staff, Joint Force Headquarters, Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts
15. October 2024-Present, Assistant Adjutant General, Army, Joint Force Headquarters, Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts
AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Bronze Star Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (with 1 Silver Oak Leaf Cluster)
Army Commendation Medal (With 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
Air and Space Commendation Medal
Army Achievement Medal
Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (with 1 Silver and 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
Coast Guard Reserve Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal (with 1 Bronze Star)
Iraq Campaign Medal (with 1 Bronze Star)
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with Hourglass Device, M Device, and 2 Device)
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon
Army Reserve Overseas Training Ribbon
Meritorious Unit Commendation
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Order of the Marechaussee in Silver
INTERNATIONAL AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge in Silver
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS
National Guard Association of the United States
Veteran’s Association of the First Corps of Cadets
Military Police Regimental Association
Military Officers Association of America
Veterans of Foreign Wars
International Brotherhood of Local Police Officers
International Chiefs of Police Association
Civilian Law Enforcement Military Cooperation Committee
Department of Defense Chiefs of Police Committee
Massachusetts Municipal Police Association
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant 28 JUN 1999
First Lieutenant 17 SEP 2001
Captain 04 OCT 2004
Major 23 NOV 2010
Lieutenant Colonel 12 JUN 2015
Colonel 20 SEP 2020
Brigadier General 01 OCT 2024
(Current as of March 2025)
