Rich Blake was born in a city called Barberton, which is right outside of Akron in Northeast Ohio. Growing up, he played soccer and didn’t really know what he wanted to do with his life. After high school, Rich started hanging out with the wrong crowd and getting into plenty of trouble. In March of 1999, a buddy of his asked him for a ride to the recruiting station because he wanted to join the Navy. While in the waiting room, the Marine Corps recruiter asked him to “chat.” He showed Rich a motivating video, and the next thing he knew he was on a plane to Parris Island where his life would be transformed.
Rich graduated from boot camp in July 1999 and was meritoriously promoted to Private First Class for his duties as a squad leader. After graduating from the School of Infantry later that year, he joined Weapons Platoon, India Company (I Co.), 3rd Battalion 5th Marines in Camp Pendleton, California. Rich would spend his entire enlistment with “Psycho I Co,” which was a boat company. He was an assaultman in the infantry, meaning that he specialized in 83mm Shoulder-Fired Multi-Purpose Assault Weapons (SMAW) and demolitions. He served in many billets including section leader, platoon sergeant, squad leader in the Maritime Special Purpose Force (MSPF), Chief Scout Swimmer, and more.
Early in 2003, Rich was affected by the government’s implementation of Stop Loss/Stop Move. He was part of the initial invasion of Iraq and those that were stop lossed were sent home after major combat operations were thought to be over that summer. Notable awards received during his service include a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for being the honor graduate from Noncommissioned Officer’s Leadership Course, another one for leadership in combat, a Combat Action Ribbon and a Presidential Unit Citation. Rich also received a Humanitarian Service Medal for fighting wildfires in Idaho in 2001. The highest rank obtained by Rich was sergeant (E-5).
After completing his enlistment and being honorably discharged, Rich started his undergraduate studies at a community college in South Florida at night while he worked full-time for the Transportation Security Administration during the day. He graduated summa cum laude from Florida Atlantic University in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. In the fall of 2010, he will be entering his third year as a doctoral student in clinical psychology at Loyola University Maryland. He is specializing in posttraumatic stress disorder and plans to either return to active duty as a psychologist or pursue a career at a veteran’s hospital. Rich is also a proud recipient of the Pat Tillman Military Scholarship.
Some fellow veterans and Rich founded a nonprofit organization called The 6th Branch, which unites veterans and non-veterans through collaborative community service projects, and he serves as the Executive Director. Rich is also on the Board of Directors of the Veteran Artist Program, a nonprofit organization that gives veterans, who put their art on hold to serve their country, a chance to take their art into the mainstream creative arts community.
