Fort Sill loses and gains Deputy Commanding General

When one door closes, another door opens.

That rings true for Fort Sill.

Brig. Gen. Richard Whorley, Deputy Commanding General of the Air Defense Artillery Army National Guard, relinquished his title to Col. Ryan Price at a dual ceremony Tuesday afternoon at Snow Hall.

Whorley will lead the National Guard’s 263rd Army, Air and Missile Defense Command in South Carolina, according to Maj. Gen. Winston P. Brooks and Whorley.

Whorley has had an extensive career in the Army, serving 36 years in total and two years as DCG.

“I joined the military 36 years ago as an enlisted soldier,” Whorley said. “I had no intentions of serving more than about four years. My family was all active duty Air Force and at the time I din’t have a whole lot of skills. I know I needed to go to college and the military is one way to help solve that gap. So I joined the Reserves in Illinois, did four years and during that time frame, as I was going to Clemson, I decided to join the ROTC program. My parents talked to me and said ‘Hey, if you’’re going to stay, go ahead and take a commission. It’s been a game changer for me.”

Whorley has deployed overseas three different times.

“I went to Iraq as a company commander (in 2003-2004),” Whorley said. “Then I went back in 2010-2011 and had an opportunity to command in both Iraq and Afghanistan. I had a battalion command and then I went to Europe in 2018.””

Whorley does it for the people.

“It’s really about the relationships of the people that you’re able to influence,” Whorley said. “Just watching those folks flourish is so rewarding to me. This uniform, the pride that comes along with wearing the fabric of our nation is extremely prideful. Any small town you go to, any restaurant, people are thanking you for your service. A lot of times, they try to buy you lunch, breakfast. I mean, it’s just absolutely amazing how special they’ll make you feel each and every day.

“Traditionally, I spent about one week a month here for the last two years,” Whorley said. “Every time I’ve gone to Fort Sill, the culture is absolutely amazing. The people here make you feel welcome, it’s a small town community. I look forward to coming out here every time. Once I get on the ground, I feel like I’m part of the team.”

Whorley’s favorite thing about serving is the reactions he gets from his family.

“My son was getting ready to turn five years old,” Whorley said. “After I got off the plane, he ran up to me and jumped into my arms. It tore me up how proud I was to serve and be able to see my son welcome me home.”

Price’s job entails providing the information to the commanding general about the Army National Guard and Air Defense Artillery.

Due to his family’s time in the armed forces, Price felt his calling as he got into college.

“I’ve always admired our service members,” Price said. “Once I made the commitment, I haven’t looked back.”

His love for the Army and his background as an engineer are key in his new role.

“I’m very technical in the way that I think,” Price said. “We’re in a very technical force as an Air Defense Artillery. So it does help me, but it also helps me be able to communicate with our soldiers.”

Price plans to be at Fort Sill as often as he can.

“I really enjoy the people,” Price said. “I really enjoy the soldiers.”

For anyone interested in joining the armed forces.

“Make sure that you do it for yourself,” Price said. “It’s not something that you do for other people, because it is a combat. I would advise that you make sure you check inside yourself before you commit.”