Deputy Commanding General - National Guard

U.S. Army Brigadier General Richard P. Cipro serves as the Deputy Commanding General - National Guard, U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF). He is simultaneously assigned as the Land Component Commander, Joint Force Headquarters, Massachusetts National Guard. Prior to his current assignment, he served as The Assistant Adjutant General-Massachusetts Army National Guard. 

Brig. Gen. Cipro earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from Worcester State University, a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice from Anna Maria College, and a Master of Arts in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College. He also received a certificate in Crisis Leadership, from Executive Education Seminar, Harvard Kennedy School, Cambridge MA.

Additional military education includes the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Military Police Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Support Operations Course, Combined Arms Exercise, and the Dual Status Commanders Course. 

His operational experience includes deployments in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM in Taji, Iraq, Operation Enduring Freedom in Jacobabad, Pakistan, and Operation Noble Eagle at Logan International Airport, Boston.

He has held a variety of command and staff positions including Chief of Staff, Massachusetts Army National Guard; Brigade Commander, 79th Troop Command Rehoboth, Massachusetts; Provost Marshal, Massachusetts Army National Guard; and Battalion Commander, 211th Military Police Battalion, Lexington, Massachusetts. 

Brig. Gen. Cipro’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster), Army and Air Force Commendation Medals, Army Achievement Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with Gold Hourglass, M Device, and Numeral 2), and the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (Silver).

In his civilian career, Brig. Gen. Cipro has served with the Worcester Police Department for over 31 years, currently holding the rank of Sergeant. He has led various units including SWAT, Emergency Operations Planning, Police Academy Training/Training Division, and currently oversees the Worcester Police Traffic/Accident Reconstruction Unit.