He received a commission as a distinguished graduate of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Virginia Polytechnic Institute in 1956, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in business administration.

Richards entered pilot training and earned his wings at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, in 1957.

He completed Squadron Officer School in 1963 and received B-52 Stratofortress combat crew training at Castle Air Force Base, California, from May to August 1964.

In addition, he commanded the Raven Forward Air Controllers and flew 624 combat missions in O-1 Bird Dogs, T-28 Trojans, U-10D Super Couriers and U-17 Skywagons.

[1] From November 1976 to December 1977, Richards served as commander of the Air Reserve Personnel Center at Denver.

[4] Awards earned during his career:[1][2] This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency