From the Commandant

BG Alric "Ric" L Francis

By Field Artillery

Article published on: May 1, 2024 in the 2024 Issue 2 of Field Artillery

Read Time: < 3 mins

Field Artillery School Commandant BG Alric "Ric" L. Francis

Brigadier General Alric L. Francis was born in Brooklyn, New York and attended Appalachian State University. He majored in English and was a graduate of the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) in 1995. Following graduation, he accepted a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army and attended the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. BG Francis’ initial assignment was with the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas where he served as a Platoon Fire Direction Officer, Company Fire Support Officer, Platoon Leader and Battalion Intelligence Officer with 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment.

In 1998, he deployed as a platoon leader to NATO-led Stabilization Force (SFOR 4) mission to Bosnia. In 2000, he was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized), Fort Stewart, Georgia, where he served as an Assistant Fire Support Coordinator (AFSCOORD) for the Division Headquarters (DIV HQ) and deployed to Bosnia with the DIV HQ as part of (SFOR 8/9). In March 2002, he was assigned to 1st Battalion 41st Field Artillery Regiment as the Battalion Operations Officer and then deployed in 2003 to Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he took command of Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion 41st Field Artillery Regiment. In 2004, he took command of Alpha Battery 1st Battalion 76th Field Artillery Regiment and deployed in support of OIF 3.

In 2005, he took command of Delta Battery 1st Battalion 76th Field Artillery Regiment. In 2006, BG Francis was assigned to Human Resources Command (HRC) Alexandria, Virginia, where he served as the Field Artillery Branch Captains and Majors Assignments Officer. In 2008, BG Francis served in a fellowship at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). In 2009, he joined the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, GA, where he served as the Brigade Fire Support Officer, Brigade Planner, Executive Officer 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery and Executive Officer, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division. Upon arrival to 3/3 ID, he deployed with the brigade headquarters to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the transition to Operation New Dawn.

In 2012, BG Francis was assigned as a Special Assistant to the Director Army Staff at the Pentagon. In 2013, BG Francis commanded the Field Artillery Squadron, 3d Cavalry Regiment and deployed to Afghanistan in 2014. In 2016, BG Francis served as a military assistant to the Secretary of the Army.

In 2018, BG Francis served as a Director for Defense Policy and Strategy as a member of the National Security Council, Executive Office of the President, The White House and subsequently Commander of the 3rd Infantry Division Artillery (DIVARTY) at Fort Stewart, Georgia. In 2021, he served as the Executive Officer for the Army Vice Chief of Staff in the Pentagon and then as the Deputy Commanding General (Support) (DCG-S), then the Deputy Commanding General (Operations) (DCG-O) for the 1st Armored Division at Fort Bliss, Texas.

Currently, he is the Commandant of the Field Artillery School and Chief of the Field Artillery at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

His awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (2nd Oak Leaf Cluster), Bronze Star Medal (3rd Oak Leaf Cluster), the Meritorious Service Medal (6th Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Commendation Medal (Oak Leaf Cluster), the Army Achievement Medal (Oak Leaf Cluster), the Presidential Service Badge, the Army Staff Identification Badge and the Combat Action Badge. Brigadier General Francis holds a M.A. degree from The United States Army War College.