L. Scott Rice
Encyclopedia
Leon Scott Rice is a major general
in the United States Air Force
, currently serving as commander of the Massachusetts Air National Guard
and as an assistant to Mark A. Welsh III, Commander of the United States Air Forces in Europe
. Rice has also served as Commander, Air Force Forces for United States Central Command
in the Middle East Area of Operations. He is concurrently a Boeing 777 First Officer flying for United Airlines
in Washington, District of Columbia.
; a military family with his mother serving as a Captain during WWII in the Army Nurse Corps, and eventually becoming in 1990 the first female Commander of the Department of New Hampshire Veterans of Foreign Wars
. Rice is a direct descendant of Edmund Rice
, an early immigrant to Massachusetts Bay Colony
. Rice attended local public schools and earned the rank of Eagle Scout
in 1972. He graduated in 1980 from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
, Troy, New York
with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering through the Reserve Officers' Training Corps
and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Air Force upon graduation. He continued studies at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, earning in 1981 a Master of Science degree in Industrial Engineering. His other post-graduate studies directly sponsored by the military included:
Command pilot
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
in the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
, currently serving as commander of the Massachusetts Air National Guard
Massachusetts Air National Guard
The Massachusetts Air National Guard is the air force militia of the U.S. state of Massachusetts. It is, along with the Massachusetts Army National Guard, an element of the Massachusetts National Guard...
and as an assistant to Mark A. Welsh III, Commander of the United States Air Forces in Europe
United States Air Forces in Europe
The United States Air Forces in Europe is the United States Air Force component of U.S. European Command, a Department of Defense unified command, and is one of two Air Force Major Commands outside of the continental United States, the other being the Pacific Air Forces...
. Rice has also served as Commander, Air Force Forces for United States Central Command
United States Central Command
The United States Central Command is a theater-level Unified Combatant Command unit of the U.S. armed forces, established in 1983 under the operational control of the U.S. Secretary of Defense...
in the Middle East Area of Operations. He is concurrently a Boeing 777 First Officer flying for United Airlines
United Airlines
United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees (which includes the entire holding company United Continental...
in Washington, District of Columbia.
Early life and education
Leon Scott Rice was born 27 May 1958 to Leon Harold Rice (1919–2002) and Margery Ann (Miller) Rice (1918–2005) in Bedford, New HampshireBedford, New Hampshire
-Demographics:As of the Census of 2000, there were 18,274 people, 6,251 households, and 5,125 families residing in the town. The population density was 556.6 people per square mile . There were 6,401 housing units at an average density of 195.0 per square mile...
; a military family with his mother serving as a Captain during WWII in the Army Nurse Corps, and eventually becoming in 1990 the first female Commander of the Department of New Hampshire Veterans of Foreign Wars
Veterans of Foreign Wars
The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States is a congressionally chartered war veterans organization in the United States. Headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, VFW currently has 1.5 million members belonging to 7,644 posts, and is the largest American organization of combat...
. Rice is a direct descendant of Edmund Rice
Edmund Rice (1638)
Edmund Rice , was an early immigrant to Massachusetts Bay Colony who was born in Suffolk, England, and lived in Stanstead, Suffolk and Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire prior to sailing with his family to America. He arrived in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in summer or fall of 1638, presumed to be first...
, an early immigrant to Massachusetts Bay Colony
Massachusetts Bay Colony
The Massachusetts Bay Colony was an English settlement on the east coast of North America in the 17th century, in New England, situated around the present-day cities of Salem and Boston. The territory administered by the colony included much of present-day central New England, including portions...
. Rice attended local public schools and earned the rank of Eagle Scout
Eagle Scout (Boy Scouts of America)
Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America . A Scout who attains this rank is called an Eagle Scout or Eagle. Since its introduction in 1911, the Eagle Scout rank has been earned by more than 2 million young men...
in 1972. He graduated in 1980 from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Stephen Van Rensselaer established the Rensselaer School on November 5, 1824 with a letter to the Rev. Dr. Samuel Blatchford, in which van Rensselaer asked Blatchford to serve as the first president. Within the letter he set down several orders of business. He appointed Amos Eaton as the school's...
, Troy, New York
Troy, New York
Troy is a city in the US State of New York and the seat of Rensselaer County. Troy is located on the western edge of Rensselaer County and on the eastern bank of the Hudson River. Troy has close ties to the nearby cities of Albany and Schenectady, forming a region popularly called the Capital...
with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering through the Reserve Officers' Training Corps
Reserve Officers' Training Corps
The Reserve Officers' Training Corps is a college-based, officer commissioning program, predominantly in the United States. It is designed as a college elective that focuses on leadership development, problem solving, strategic planning, and professional ethics.The U.S...
and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Air Force upon graduation. He continued studies at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, earning in 1981 a Master of Science degree in Industrial Engineering. His other post-graduate studies directly sponsored by the military included:
- 2000 Air War CollegeAir War CollegeThe Air War College is a part of the United States Air Force's Air University, headquartered at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. Air University's higher headquarters is Air Education and Training Command headquartered at Randolph Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. The Air War...
, by correspondence - 2009 Harvard UniversityHarvard UniversityHarvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
, National and International Security Studies, Cambridge, MassachusettsCambridge, MassachusettsCambridge is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, in the Greater Boston area. It was named in honor of the University of Cambridge in England, an important center of the Puritan theology embraced by the town's founders. Cambridge is home to two of the world's most prominent... - 2009 George C. Marshall European Center for Security StudiesGeorge C. Marshall European Center for Security StudiesThe George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies is a unique U.S. Department of Defense and German Defense Ministry security and defense studies institute...
, Garmisch-PartenkirchenGarmisch-PartenkirchenGarmisch-Partenkirchen is a mountain resort town in Bavaria, southern Germany. It is the administrative centre of the district of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, in the Oberbayern region, and the district is on the border with Austria...
, GermanyGermanyGermany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate... - 2010 George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
- 2010 Capstone Military Leadership ProgramCAPSTONE Military Leadership ProgramCAPSTONE is a joint service professional military education courses for newly promoted brigadier generals and rear admirals serving in the United States military. The National Defense University conducts the CAPSTONE course at Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington, DC...
, Fort Lesley J. McNairFort Lesley J. McNairFort Lesley J. McNair is a United States Army post located on the tip of a peninsula that lies at the confluence of the Potomac River and the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C. To its west is the Washington Channel, while the Anacostia River is on its south side...
, Washington, District of Columbia - 2011 Senior Reserve Component Officer Course, Army War College, Carlisle BarracksCarlisle BarracksCarlisle Barracks is a United States Army facility located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. It is part of the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command and is the site of the U.S. Army War College...
, Pennsylvania - 2011 Combined Force Air Component Commanders Course, Maxwell Air Force BaseMaxwell Air Force BaseMaxwell Air Force Base , officially known as Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, is a United States Air Force installation under the Air Education and Training Command . The installation is located in Montgomery, Alabama, US. It was named in honor of Second Lieutenant William C...
, Montgomery, AlabamaMontgomery, AlabamaMontgomery is the capital of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is the county seat of Montgomery County. It is located on the Alabama River southeast of the center of the state, in the Gulf Coastal Plain. As of the 2010 census, Montgomery had a population of 205,764 making it the second-largest city...
Assignments
- May 1981 - May 1982, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Reese Air Force Base, Lubbock, Texas
- May 1982 - July 1982, Student, AT-38B Lead-In Training Course, Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico
- July 1982 - January 1983, Student, F-111 United States Air Force Operation Training Course, Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico
- January 1983 - November 1984, Aircraft Commander, F-111, 493rd Tactical Fighter Wing, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England
- November 1984 - October 1985, Instructor Aircraft Commander, F-111, 493rd Tactical Fighter Wing, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England
- October 1985 - December 1985, Student, Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
- December 1985 - May 1986, Student, F-111 Fighter Weapons Instructor Course, Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho
- May 1986 - April 1987, Chief, Weapons and Tactics/Instructor Pilot, F-111, 493rd Tactical Fighter Wing, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England
- April 1987 - April 1988, Instructor Pilot, F-111, 391st Tactical Fighter Squadron, Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho
- April 1988 - November 1989, Chief, Wing Weapons Section, 366th Tactical Fighter Wing, Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho
- November 1989 - January 1992, Pilot, A-10, 131st Tactical Fighter Squadron, Barnes Air National Guard Base, Westfield, Massachusetts
- February 1992 - December 1994, Pilot, A-10, 131st Fighter Squadron, Barnes Air National Guard Base, Westfield, Massachusetts
- December 1994 - December 1995, Assistant Flight Commander, 131st Fighter Squadron, Barnes Air National Guard Base, Westfield, Massachusetts
- December 1995 - June 1997, Instructor Pilot, A-10, 131st Fighter Squadron, Barnes Air National Guard Base, Westfield, Massachusetts
- June 1997 - June 1998, Commander, Operations Support Flight, 131st Fighter Squadron, Barnes Air National Guard Base, Westfield, Massachusetts
- June 1998 - September 1999, Commander, Operations Support Flight, 104th Operations Support Flight, Barnes Air National Guard Base, Westfield, Massachusetts
- June 2002 - April 2004, Commander, 104th Operations Group, Barnes Air National Guard Base, Westfield, Massachusetts
- May 2004 - July 2007, Director of Operations, J2, Massachusetts Joint Force Headquarters, Massachusetts National Guard, Milford, Massachusetts
- July 2007 - September 2010, Assistant Adjutant General-Air, Massachusetts National Guard, Milford, Massachusetts
- September 2010 – Present, Chief of Staff, Massachusetts Air National Guard, Milford, Massachusetts; dual hatted, February 2010 - February 2011, (A-6), Assistant to the Director, Air National Guard; dual-hatted, March 2011 – Present, Assistant to the Commander, United States Air Forces Europe
Awards and decorations
Command pilot Legion of MeritLegion of Merit The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements... |
 Bronze StarBronze Star Medal The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the... |
| Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal (United States) The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969... plus two oak leaf cluster Oak leaf cluster An oak leaf cluster is a common device which is placed on U.S. Army and Air Force awards and decorations to denote those who have received more than one bestowal of a particular decoration. The number of oak leaf clusters typically indicates the number of subsequent awards of the decoration... s |
| Air Medal Air Medal The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:... plus four oak leaf clusters |
| Aerial Achievement Medal Aerial Achievement Medal The Aerial Achievement Medal is a decoration of the United States Air Force which was first created in 1988. The decoration is intended to recognize the contributions of aircrew members who would, otherwise, not be qualified for the award of the Air Medal.... plus one oak leaf cluster |
 Air Force Commendation Medal |
 Air Force Achievement MedalAchievement Medal The Achievement Medal is a military decoration of the United States military. The Achievement Medal was first proposed as a means to recognize the contributions of junior officers and enlisted personnel who were not eligible to receive the higher Commendation Medal or the Meritorious Service... |
| Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with V Device, one silver oak leaf cluster, and one bronze oak leaf cluster |
 Air Force Organizational Excellence Award |
 Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation |
| Combat Readiness Medal Combat Readiness Medal The Combat Readiness Medal is an award of the United States Air Force which was first created in 1964. The original Combat Readiness Medal was an award senior to the Air Force Commendation Medal and was awarded for superior and meritorious duty to the United States Air Force... with one silver oak leaf cluster |
 Air Force Recognition RibbonAir Force Recognition Ribbon The Air Force Recognition Ribbon is a military award of the United States Air Force which was first created in October 1980. The ribbon is intended to recognize those who have received "non-portable" awards for accomplishment and excellence while serving on active duty in the United States Air... |
| National Defense Service Medal National Defense Service Medal The National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower... with one bronze service star Service star A service star, also referred to as a battle star, campaign star, or engagement star, is an attachment to a United States military decoration which denotes participation in military campaigns or multiple bestowals of the same award. Service stars are typically issued for campaign medals, service... |
| Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is a military award of the United States military, which was first created in 1961 by Executive Order of President John Kennedy... with one bronze service star |
| Kosovo Campaign Medal Kosovo Campaign Medal The Kosovo Campaign Medal is a military award of the United States armed forces established by Executive Order 13154 of President Bill Clinton on May 3, 2000... with one bronze service star |
 Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary MedalGlobal War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal is a United States armed forces military award created by George W. Bush on March 12, 2003 by Executive Order 13289. It recognizes those military service members who have deployed overseas in direct service to the War on Terror from September 11,... |
 Global War on Terrorism Service MedalGlobal War on Terrorism Service Medal The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal is a military award of the United States military which was created by Executive Order 13289 of President George W. Bush on March 12, 2003... |
 Armed Forces Service MedalArmed Forces Service Medal The Armed Forces Service Medal is a military award of the United States military which was created on January 11, 1996 by President Bill Clinton under... |
| Air Force Overseas Ribbon Short Tour Overseas Service Ribbon An Overseas Service Ribbon is a service military award of the United States military which recognizes those service members who have performed military tours of duty outside the borders of the United States of America. There are different versions of the Overseas Service Ribbons for the U.S. Army,... with one bronze oak leaf cluster |
 Air Force Overseas Ribbon Long TourOverseas Service Ribbon An Overseas Service Ribbon is a service military award of the United States military which recognizes those service members who have performed military tours of duty outside the borders of the United States of America. There are different versions of the Overseas Service Ribbons for the U.S. Army,... |
 Air Force Expeditionary Service RibbonAir Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon The Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon is a military award of the United States Air Force which was first created in June 2003. The ribbon is awarded to any member of the Air Force who completes a standard contingency deployment.... with gold frame Gold frame A gold frame is an attachment to a military decoration which is issued by most of the world’s militaries. The gold frame is designed to enclose an award ribbon and is usually a means of distinguishing the ribbon’s special quality or denoting some additional achievement to the award's basic... |
| Air Force Longevity Service Award Air Force Longevity Service Award The Air Force Longevity Service Award is a military award of the United States Air Force which was first issued in 1957 by order of General Thomas D. White, Air Force Chief of Staff... with one silver oak leaf cluster |
| Armed Forces Reserve Medal Armed Forces Reserve Medal The Armed Forces Reserve Medal is a military award of the United States Armed Forces that has existed since 1950. The medal recognizes service performed by the Reserve and National Guard forces of the United States of America.... with bronze hourglass Hourglass Device The Hourglass Device is a military award of the United States armed forces presented as an attachment to the Armed Forces Reserve Medal. The Hourglass Device denotes total service as a member of the Reserve or National Guard and is issued in three degrees.... , M device Mobilization Device The Mobilization Device is an award attachment to the United States Armed Forces Reserve Medal which denotes those who have received the decoration for duty in a recall to active service from a reserve or National Guard component of the United States military.The Mobilization Device was first... and numeral 3 |
| Air Force Expert Marksmanship Ribbon Marksmanship Ribbon A Marksmanship Ribbon is an award of the United States Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard that is issued to service members who pass a weapons qualification course and achieve an above-average score.-Navy:... with one bronze service star |
 Air Force Training RibbonAir Force Training Ribbon The Air Force Training Ribbon is the lowest military award of the United States Air Force, ranking only above foreign military awards.The Air Force Training Ribbon was authorized by the Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force on October 12, 1980. It is awarded to U.S. Air Force service members on completion... |
| NATO Medal NATO Medal The NATO Medal is an international military decoration which is awarded to various militaries of the world under the authority of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization . It is manufactured by Eekelers - Centini, International, of Hemiksem, Belgium... with one bronze service star |
 Louisiana Emergency Service MedalAwards and decorations of the National Guard Awards and decorations of the National Guard are presented to members of the United States National Guard and sometimes to members of the State Defense Forces in addition to regular United States military decorations... |
| Massachusetts Air National Guard Service Medal Awards and decorations of the National Guard Awards and decorations of the National Guard are presented to members of the United States National Guard and sometimes to members of the State Defense Forces in addition to regular United States military decorations... with one bronze service star |
| Massachusetts Desert Storm Service Ribbon Awards and decorations of the National Guard Awards and decorations of the National Guard are presented to members of the United States National Guard and sometimes to members of the State Defense Forces in addition to regular United States military decorations... |
| Massachusetts Defense Expeditionary Ribbon Awards and decorations of the National Guard Awards and decorations of the National Guard are presented to members of the United States National Guard and sometimes to members of the State Defense Forces in addition to regular United States military decorations... |
Effective dates of promotion
- Second LieutenantSecond LieutenantSecond lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
17 May 1980 - First LieutenantFirst LieutenantFirst lieutenant is a military rank and, in some forces, an appointment.The rank of lieutenant has different meanings in different military formations , but the majority of cases it is common for it to be sub-divided into a senior and junior rank...
18 November 1982 - CaptainCaptain (OF-2)The army rank of captain is a commissioned officer rank historically corresponding to command of a company of soldiers. The rank is also used by some air forces and marine forces. Today a captain is typically either the commander or second-in-command of a company or artillery battery...
18 November 1984 - MajorMajorMajor is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
18 November 1992 - Lieutenant ColonelLieutenant colonelLieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
9 September 1998 - ColonelColonelColonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
15 June 2003 - Brigadier GeneralBrigadier GeneralBrigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000...
24 July 2007 - Major GeneralMajor GeneralMajor general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
22 December 2010