Lieutenant General (LTG) RICHARD L. ZELLMANN originally from Belle Plaine, MN, and was commissioned into the Ordnance Corps after graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1992. After completion of the Ordnance Corps Basic, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Course, and the Technical Escort Course, LTG Zellmann began six years of service in the EOD career field. After completing company command time, LTG Zellmann attended the University of Minnesota prior to serving in the United States Military Academy’s Department of Physics and Nuclear Engineering where he was an instructor and assistant professor. LTG Zellmann attended the Space Operations Officer Qualification Course, and since 2004 has served in operational space assignments. As a space operations officer, LTG Zellmann commanded at the company, battalion, and brigade-level. He has had several tours at the Army Service Component Command level: Army Central and Space and Missile Defense Command. Following brigade command LTG Zellmann served as the Joint Force Space Component Command Future Operations Chief and worked on the establishment of U.S. Space Command. Following the establishment of U.S. Space Command, LTG Zellmann served first as the Deputy J5 and then later at the Deputy J3 before becoming the Deputy Commander Combined Joint Force Space Component. He is currently assigned as the Deputy Commander of U.S Space Command. His deployments include a deployment to Operation Iraqi Freedom with a space company and two rotations to the ARCENT operational command post.
LTG Zellmann earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in physics from the United States Military Academy and the University of Minnesota, respectively. His military professional education includes the Ordnance Officer Basic Course, the Combined Logistics Officer Advanced Course, CAS3, Command and General Staff College, and the Air War College. LTG Zellmann’s space education includes the Space Operations Officer Qualification Course, Space 300, Advanced Orbital Mechanics, Advanced Navigation Operations, EMI Fundamentals and the Ground-based Midcourse Defense Staff Course.
LTG Zellmann’s awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. He has also earned the Army Senior Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge, Parachutists Badge, and the Master Space Badge. LTG Zellmann is married, and he and his wife have two children and one grandchild.