Ricky L. Semple

Ricky L. Semple served in the United States Army and the United States Army Reserve. He retired at the rank of Colonel in July 2020 after completing 42 years of military service.

Mr. Semple has served as Staff Sergeant and received his Commission through Officer Candidate School as a Second Lieutenant in the United Army Signal Corps in 1990. He has held a variety of command and staff positions within the Signal, Transportation and Logistics Branches in the Reserve.

Prior to Mr. Semple’s last duty as the SDDC IMA OIC and Deputy G3, he served as Battalion Commander of the 1174th Deployment and Distribution Support Battalion in Fort Totten, Queens. Mr. Semple’s officer career started with the 99th Signal Battalion in Brooklyn, where he served as the Platoon Leader in two Signal companies.

Some other notable positions Mr. Semple held were Commander of B Co 99th Signal Battalion, C&E Officer for the 310th Military Police Brigade, Marine/Term Operations Officer for the 403D Theater Opening Element in Aniston, Alabama, SDDC/AFRICOM/EUCOM Liaison Officer for the 598th Transportation Brigade (Germany), and Battalion Commander of the 1173rd Deployment and Distribution Support Battalion (Massachusetts) and Brigade Operations OIC for the 1179th Transportation Surface Brigade in FT Hamilton, Brooklyn. He was mobilized and deployed in support of Operation Noble Eagle (2001-2002), Operation Enduring Freedom-Uzbekistan-Afghanistan (2003-2004) and Operation Iraqi Freedom-Kuwait (2009).

Mr. Semple is a graduate of the Signal Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Transportation Officer Advanced Course, Combined Arms Service Staff School, and is the holder of a Master's degree in Transportation and Logistics Management.

For his service and valor, Mr. Semple has earned numerous awards and decorations including the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (X3), Army Commendation Medal (X3), Army Achievement Medal (X3), Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (Gold Hour Glass), Army Reserves Component Achievement Medal (X10) and many more.

In his civilian life, Mr. Semple began his New York City Transit career as an Electrical Helper in the MOW Signals Department, retiring in July 2021 as Manager with the MTA Construction & Design Signals Department with 35+ years of NYC Civil Service.

He is an active member of the Walk of Faith International Church Brooklyn Musical Ministry and provides mentoring to the youth congregation.

A resident of Queens Village, Mr. Semple is married and has three children, two of whom are currently serving in the Army Reserve, and the other who served in the Air Force; his wife served in the Army Reserve for 12 years.