Rick Laws

Rick laws served as President of the Joseph Greer Chapter of the Tennessee Society, Sons of the American Revolution (SAR). and is currently the editor and writer of the Tennessee Patriot a news magazine for the Tennessee Society. Rick hails from the historically rich region of East Tennessee, home to legends like Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett. A retired U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer, Rick’s career spanned global support for U.S. Army engineering projects and operations. During his distinguished military service, Rick contributed to critical operations, including patrolling the East/West German inter-zonal border, constructing bridges in Belize, participating in famine relief efforts in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and serving in combat engineering missions in Southwest Asia during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He also played a key role as an assistant to the Inspector General for the Eighth Army Headquarters in Korea. Rick’s achievements were recognized with numerous honors, including the Bronze Star Medal, four awards of the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM), and the prestigious De Fleury Medallion from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Rick holds a Master of Science degree from Florida Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of New York. He has also earned the Demonstrated Master Logistician (DML) designation from the US Army Logistics University and International Society of Logistics Engineers (SOLE), and completed post, graduate certifications from the University of Alabama and specialized certifications from the United States Defense Acquisition University (DAU).

Post, Military Career

Following his retirement from Army service, Rick transitioned to the defense industry, supporting logistics operations for significant initiatives such as the deployment of prepositioned combat brigade equipment during the liberation of Iraq (Second Gulf War). He also led logistics programs spanning from Djibouti to Afghanistan, managing Force Protection and Entry Control Equipment at forward operational bases (FOB) in the Southwest Asia theater of operations. In his role as Senior Principal at Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), Rick specialized in military logistics operations, planning, and sustainment support. As Service Line Team Lead, he developed innovative solutions for complex contract proposals in material development and sustainment operations for austere overseas environments.

Rick’s expertise and insights have been featured in publications such as EurArmy Magazine, Army Logistics Magazine, U.S. Army PS Magazine, The Cold War Times, and local newspapers including The Nashville Tennessean and Elk Valley Times. He published books focused upon the early American experience. Rick is deeply engaged in historical preservation and education. As part of his association with the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), he has contributed to historical studies, projects, and ceremonies. His ongoing work with the Camp Blount Historical Site Association (CBHSA) in Fayetteville, TN, included the recovery and reconstruction of the historic Joseph Greer House.

He has also created the Substack “Early American,” about his books and frequently posts additional essays and information to for readers to comment on and learn more about Early America topics, and to honor the often, overlooked people, places, and events that shaped early America.