Chicago JROTC

Rick W. Mills
Military Area Officer, Military Area Office

Born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, LTC Rick W. Mills graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1980 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army as an Armor Officer. Upon completion of the Armor Officer Basic Course, he was assigned to the 2d Armored Division and 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas, where he served as a Tank Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, Battalion Adjutant, and Tank Company Commander.

LTC Mills then attended the Armor Officer Advanced Course and entered into the Foreign Area Officer Training Program. He received a Master of Arts in National Security Affairs from the Naval Postgraduate School and attended French Language Training at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California. Upon completion of the training, LTC Mills served as an Assistant Professor, Cultural and Political Geography, at the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York.

In 1990 LTC Mills served a one-year assignment in the United Nations as the Plans Officer, Headquarters, United States Truce Supervisions Organizations, Jerusalem, Israel. After completion of this tour, LTC Mills attended the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and received a second Master of Arts in Business from Webster University.

Subsequently assigned to the 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado, LTC Mills served as the Assistant Chief of Staff, G5, and the S4/Logistics Officer of 1st Brigade. He was then assigned as the Executive Officer of the 2d Battalion, 35th Armor for 18 months. In January 1996, LTC Mills was reassigned to U.S. Central Command where he served as the International Programs Director for the countries of Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, and Oman. LTC Mills then commanded the 3d Squadron 16th Cavalry Regiment, Fort Knox, Kentucky from 30 June 1999 through 6 July 2001. He retired from active duty on 1 September 2001.

LTC Mills' awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Army Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Ranger Tab, and Parachutist's Badge.