Richard served in the Canadian Forces for 14 years and retired at the rank of major in 2008. He served at 2 Wing (CFB Toronto), Air Command Headquarters (CFB Winnipeg), 400 Tactical Helicopter Squadron (CFB Borden), Air Transport Group (CFB Trenton), Fighter Group (CFB North Bay), 1 Wing (CFB Kingston), Land Force Atlantic Area Headquarters (CFB Halifax) and National Defence Headquarters (Ottawa). He also served on Canadian Forces Operation Mirador in Aviano, Italy and at NATO Headquarters in Sarajevo, Bosnia as a member of the NATO Advisory Team.