COL Richard Gash, Ph.D.

COL Richard Gash is the vice dean for resources at the United States Military Academy (USMA). He is also an associate professor of civil engineering who has taught mechanics and design courses for both the civil and mechanical engineering programs and advised independent study and capstone projects that have won the MIT Solider Design Competition and the Scott Clark Innovation Award.

He received his commission as an engineer officer in 1996 upon graduation from USMA. His major military assignments prior to returning to serve as a member of the senior military faculty included service in the 1st Armored Division, the 555th Engineer Group, the 2nd Infantry Division, and culminated with service as the public works director for Camp As Sayliyah in Doha, Qatar. Gash has served combat tours in support of both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Recently, he served as the interim director of public works for U.S. Army Garrison, West Point and as the USMA deputy director of strategic resource planning and integration.

In 2015, Gash earned his doctorate in civil engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles, with a focus on structural response to ground motion under the advisement of Professor Ertugrul Taciroglu. He also earned a master's degree in geophysics from the University of Missouri at Rolla in 2000, a master's degree in civil engineering from UCLA in 2006, and a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from West Point in 1996. He is a certified Professional Engineer.

He is married to his West Point classmate, Staci (Slick) Gash. They have five children, Abigail (USMA 2024), Richard, Allison, Amelia, and Alexandra.