Born in and raised in Houston, Texas, Richard Hood is from a family with a history of military service. His father served in the Air Force Reserves in Vietnam; his paternal grandfather was a Tech Sergeant who taught basic electronics in World War II; his maternal grandfather was a Lieutenant in the Infantry and served as part of the U.S. occupying force in Japan. So, after graduating from Lamar High School, Richard was off to United States Military Academy at West Point.

At West Point, Richard studied Russian and spent a semester studying in Voronezh, Russia. He also attended the Army’s Airborne and Air Assault schools as a West Point cadet.

Upon graduation from West Point, Richard was commissioned as an Infantry Officer. He completed Infantry Officer training and also graduated from the Army’s elite Ranger School before reporting to his initial assignment at Fort Hood, Texas. At Fort Hood, Richard served as a Platoon Leader of a Stryker Reconnaissance Platoon. Later, as Assistant Operations Officer of an 800 Trooper Stryker Squadron, Richard deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Richard’s Squadron initially operated in Wardak Province and then later in Helmand Province. For his exceptionally meritorious service in Afghanistan, the Army awarded Richard the Bronze Star Medal.