Vice Adm. Chas Richard is a native of Decatur, Alabama, and is a 1982 graduate with honors from the University of Alabama. He has earned master's degrees with honors from the Catholic University of America and the Naval War College.

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 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, Under Secretary of Defense (Policy); squadron engineer of SUBRON-8 and duty on the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Submarine Warfare) staff.  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.

Flag officer assignments include command of Submarine Group 10 in Kings Bay, Georgia; director of Undersea Warfare (OPNAV N97), Pentagon, and deputy commander, Joint Functional Component Command for Global Strike at U.S. Strategic Command.

Richard previously served as the deputy commander, U.S. Strategic Command.

Richard assumed his current duties in August 2018.  As commander, Submarine Forces, he is the undersea domain lead, and is responsible for the submarine force's strategic vision. As commander, Submarine Force Atlantic, he commands all Atlantic-based U.S. submarines, their crews and supporting shore activities. These responsibilities also include duties as commander, Task Force (CTF) 144, CTF 84; commander, Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Forces Western Atlantic; and CTF 46. As commander, Allied Submarine Command, he provides advice to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Strategic Commanders on submarine related issues.

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.