Colonel Richard Joseph Surowiec was commissioned an Infantry Officer upon graduation from the New York Army National Guard Officer Candidate School in 1993. His first duty assignment was Mortar Platoon Leader, 1st Battalion, 27 Infantry Brigade, Syracuse, New York.

His subsequent duty assignments include: Rifle Platoon Leader, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Brigade, Oswego, New York; Scout Platoon Leader, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Brigade, Hornell, New York; Company Commander, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Brigade, Syracuse, New York; Company Commander, 98th Infantry Division, Webster, New York; Assistant Operations Officer, 29th Infantry Regiment, Company Commander, 2-29th Infantry Battalion, Fort Benning, Georgia; Military Transition Team Leader, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division; Operations Officer, 1-15th Infantry Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning Georgia; Land Operations Officer, Joint Forces Command, Suffolk, Virginia; Commander, 1-29th Infantry Battalion, 316th Cavalry Brigade, Fort Benning, Georgia; Liaison Officer, Training and Doctrine Command, Kingston, Canada. His last duty assignment was served as Chief of the Combat Systems Integration Division at the Futures and Concepts Center, Fort Eustis, Virginia before retiring May 1st, 2020.

His military education includes: Infantry Officer Basic Course, Infantry Captains Career Course, Combined Arms Services and Staff School, Airborne School, Intermediate Level Education Course, Joint and Combined Warfighting School, Capabilities and Combat Development Course, and the United States Army War College.

His highest awards include: Legion of Merit, Bronze Star (2nd Award), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (4th Award), Combat Action Badge and the Combat Infantryman Badge.