The Ranger community is rife with members who have provided substantial contributions, whether in combat, in uniformed service, or following their separation from the military. The USARA Distinguished Speaker Series provides an opportunity for those interested in U.S. Army Rangers to hear the stories of these distinguished individuals and connect with them on a personal level.
Distinguished Speaker Series
Next Speaker:
CSM Richard “Rick” Merritt
Command Sergeant Major (CSM) (R) Rick Merritt retired from active duty in the U.S. Army after serving almost 36 years since he entered the military in March of 1984. He and his family returned from South Korea in December 2018 after he served as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader (CSEL) (for all US Army Forces) advising the Commander, EIGHTH US ARMY for 3 ½ years. He is currently consulting as the Director, US Army Special Operations Programs for Republic Mission System, INC. and a Military Consultant with Daniel Defense.
The presentation will take place on Friday, July 16, at 1800 EDT. Registration is available below.
Upcoming Presentations
Command Sergeant Major, Rick Merritt, USA, Retired
The US Army Ranger Association is honored to have Command Sergeant Major, Rick Merritt, USA, Retired as a speaker for the Distinguished Speaker Series on Friday, July 16th at 18:00 EDT.
Biography
Command Sergeant Major (CSM) (R) Rick Merritt retired from active duty in the U.S. Army after serving almost 36 years since he entered the military in March of 1984. He and his family returned from South Korea in December 2018 after he served as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader (CSEL) (for all US Army Forces) advising the Commander, EIGHTH US ARMY for 3 ½ years. He is currently consulting as the Director, US Army Special Operations Programs for Republic Mission System, INC. and a Military Consultant with Daniel Defense.
Prior Presentations
General Joseph L. Votel, USA, Retired
Biography
General Joseph L. Votel is a retired U.S. Army Four-Star officer and most recently the Commander of the U.S. Central Command – responsible for U.S. and coalition military operations in the Middle East, Levant and Central and South Asia. During his 39 years in the military, he commanded special operations and conventional military forces at every level, including service as the commander for 1st Ranger Battalion, and later the 75th Ranger Regiment. His career included combat in Panama, Afghanistan and Iraq. Notably, he led a 79-member coalition that successfully liberated Iraq and Syria from the Islamic State Caliphate. He preceded his assignment at CENTCOM with service as the Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command and the Joint Special Operations Command.
Brigadier General Craig Nixon, USA, Retired
Biography
Brigadier General Craig Nixon is a Distinguished Military Graduate of Auburn University, retired General Officer, successful entrepreneur, passionate supporter of veteran non-profit organizations, and a proud husband and father of four. He is a member of the Ranger Hall of Fame and was named as one of Auburn University at Montgomery’s Top Fifty Alumni in 2017.
Major Jeremy Noble, USA
Biography
MAJ Jeremy Noble served as the Regimental Psychologist for the 75th Ranger Regiment from 2016 until 2021. His primary duties included personnel selection (RASP1, RASP2, FG RASP, etc.), executive coaching, psychotherapy and psychological assessment, and Command consultation. Jeremy is Ranger and Airborne qualified. He has deployed to Afghanistan seven times in support of Rangers and to conduct operational psychology duties. Prior to his time in the 75th Ranger Regiment, Jeremy completed his post-doctoral residency in both clinical and operational psychology at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He graduated with his PhD in Counseling Psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2014. Finally, he is the proud father of a seven-year-old Doberman named Zeke.