A native of Decatur, Alabama, Vice Adm. Charles Richard graduated with honors from the University of Alabama in 1982 and has earned master's degrees with honors from the Catholic University of America and the Naval War College.

His flag assignments include command of Submarine Group 10 in Kings Bay, Georgia, and the deputy commander of Joint Functional Component Command for Global Strike at U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM).

His operational assignments include command of USS Parche (SSN 683) as well as Submarine NR-1, then the U.S. Navy's only nuclear-powered, deep-submergence submarine. He also served aboard USS Portsmouth (SSN 707), USS Asheville (SSN 758) and USS Scranton (SSN 756).

Richard's recent staff assignments include service as the executive assistant and naval aide to the under secretary of the Navy; chief of staff, Submarine Force Atlantic; and command of Submarine Squadron (SUBRON) 17 in Bangor, Washington. Other staff assignments include director of resources on the staff of the under secretary of defense (policy); squadron engineer on the staff of SUBRON-8 and duty on the deputy chief of naval operations (submarine warfare) staff (OP 213). He has also served as a member of Chief of Naval Operations' Strategic Studies Group XXVIII, studying the integration of unmanned systems into naval force structure.

Richard previously served as the director, Undersea Warfare Division (N97) in Washington, D.C., and was responsible for the planning, programming and budgeting for acquisition, operational readiness and modernization of the submarine force and its support.

Richard assumed duties as deputy commander of United States Strategic Command in September 2016.

He has been privileged to serve on commands that have been awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Battle Efficiency "E" awards.