Brigadier-General Richard G. Parsons graduated from St. Michael's High School in Glace Bay. He attended St. Francis Xavier University where in 1975 he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Brigadier-General Parsons joined the Reserves in 1966 as a Private in “B” Company, 2nd Battalion,The Nova Scotia Highlanders (Cape Breton). He was promoted to the rank of Corporal in 1967. In 1968, Col Parsons served as a member of 4 CMBG in Germany while attached to 2 RCR. He took his commission as an Officer Cadet in 1971. He held every noteworthy appointment with 2 NSH(CB), including Adjutant, Company Commander and Deputy Commanding Officer. Brigadier-General Parsons served as G3 Collective Training with Cape Breton Militia District from 1984 to 1986 and completed a tour of duty as the Brigade-Major G3 Atlantic Militia Area from 1989 to 1991. In 1992 Brigadier-General Parsons was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel and assumed command of 2 NSH(CB). He was promoted to the rank of Colonel in 1998 and appointed Commander 36 Canadian Brigade Group. Brigadier-General Parsons completed his tour of Command of the Brigade in July of 2001 and assumed the position as Assistant Chief of Staff, Land Force Atlantic Area based in Halifax N.S. Brigadier-General Parsons was promoted to his current rank on 4 December 2003 and appointed Deputy Commander, Land Force Atlantic Area on 6 December 2003. Brigadier-General Parsons assumed command of Land Force Atlantic Area on 9 July 2005.
In his civilian career, Brigadier-General Parsons was employed with the Department of Justice, Province of Nova Scotia for 30 years. His early career included serving as a Probation Officer, Regional Supervisor of Eastern Nova Scotia and as Regional Administrator of Northern Nova Scotia, as well as Superintendent of the Cape Breton Correctional Centre. Brigadier-General Parsons retired from his civilian career in July 2005 having achieved the position of Director of Young Offender and Adult Correctional Facilities for Nova Scotia.
Brigadier-General Parsons is a graduate of the Canadian Land Force Command and Staff College as well as the NATO Defence College for Reservists in Rome, Italy. He has also completed the Provinces' Executive Management Program.
In his spare time, Brigadier-General Parsons has been actively involved in community development including Past Chairman of the Hills Road Neighbourhood Watch Program, Past Chairman of the St. Joseph Parish Council in Mira CB, former member of the Inter-Agency Committee Against Family Violence, member of the Interdepartmental Steering Committee on Youth in Crisis, and a coach for the Sydney and district minor Baseball Association. He is an avid player and member of the CAHA Old-Timers Hockey Association.
