Richard Reed enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in October 2008 and completed Recruit Training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California. After graduation, he attended follow-on training at Marine Combat Training Battalion, Camp Pendleton, California. He was then assigned to the Infantry Weapons Repairman Course at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, where he earned the primary Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) 2111 and was meritoriously promoted to Lance Corporal.
In June 2009, Lance Corporal Reed reported to Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina were he served as Range NCO. During this tour, he completed the Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructor Course as a Lance Corporal. By June 2010, he earned his Black Belt Instructor certification in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program and was subsequently promoted to Corporal in July 2010.
In January 2011, Corporal Reed received orders to Headquarters and Service Company, 4th Landing Support Battalion, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. Here, he served as the Battalion Armory Chief, inspecting and assisting in the rebuilding of nine Inspector-Instructor armories across the United States. He was promoted to Sergeant in February 2013.
In December 2013, Sergeant Reed reported to Weapons Training Battalion, Quantico, Virginia, where he attended the 12-month Marine Corps Precision Weapons Course and earned the additional MOS 2112. Upon completion, he was assigned to the Foreign Weapons Section, supporting the implementation of the entire Marine Corps' new Foreign Weapons Program.
In March 2015, Sergeant Reed was selected to transfer to Fox Company, 2d Marine Raider Battalion, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. During this assignment, he deployed as the Company Armory Chief in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, working with multiple Spiecal Operation coalition forces across Northern Iraq. He was promoted to Staff Sergeant in October 2017.
In March 2018, Staff Sergeant Reed reported to Combat Logistics Company 13, Combat Logistics Battalion 7, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California. There, he served in the Armory Intermediate Maintenance Activity and as the Ordnance Maintenance Platoon Sergeant, providing Intermediate-Level Weapons Maintenance support for units across the installation.
In March 2021, he was assigned to 3d Battalion, 2d Marine Regiment, and deployed in support of the Unit Deployment Program to Okinawa, Japan, in January 2022 as the Battalion Armory Chief. He was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant in September 2022.
In May 2023, Gunnery Sergeant Reed was assigned to 3d Marine Raider Battalion, where he earned the additional MOS 8071 and provided critical support to five deploying companies across eight operational deployments.
On March 2, 2026, he was promoted to his current rank of First Sergeant.
On April 6th 2026, First Sergeant Reed checked into his current command Site Spt 4th Law Enforcement Battalion.
His personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with gold star in lieu of fourth award, and the Combat Action Ribbon. First Sergeant Reed holds a Master's Degree in Environmental Science with a concentration in Fish and Game Management from American Military University.