Colonel Rich Dremann graduated from The Citadel in 1994 and was commissioned into the United States Marine Corps. Designated an Infantry Officer, he served for 30 years in a wide range of command and leadership positions in both the operating forces and supporting establishment.
As a lieutenant, Colonel Dremann served as a Rifle and Weapons Platoon Commander and later as Commanding Officer, Company A, 1st Battalion, 2d Marines. As a Captain, he commanded a recruit training company at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island and served as Deputy Director of the Drill Instructor School. Returning to the operating forces, he deployed multiple times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, commanding Company F, 2d Battalion, 8th Marines during combat operations in Iraq and later serving as Executive Officer, 2d Reconnaissance Battalion, during OIF-II.
As a Major, he was assigned as the Inspector-Instructor for Company K, 3d Battalion, 23d Marines, in Memphis, Tennessee. During this tour, the battalion mobilized and deployed to Iraq. While deployed, Maj Dremann commanded Task Force East, a joint task force of more than 500 service members conducting combat operations in Barwana and the western Al Anbar Province.
In 2009, Lieutenant Colonel Dremann was assigned to U.S. Special Operations Command (J5), where he served as Chief, International Engagement Branch, and served in Afghanistan, Colombia, and Jordan. He later commanded the Advanced Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry–East.
As a Colonel, he had three command tours: Commanding Officer, 2d Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division; Commanding Officer, Weapons and Field Training Battalion, MCRD Parris Island; and Commanding Officer, 4th Marine Corps District, Eastern Recruiting Region. His key staff assignments included serving as Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3 Operations, 2d Marine Division, Chief of Staff, 2d Marine Division and Chief of Staff, MCRD Parris Island and the Eastern Recruiting Region.
Colonel Dremann holds master’s degrees in Operations Management (University of Arkansas, 2007) and Military Studies (Marine Corps University, 2009). His professional military education includes the Amphibious Warfare School, Marine Corps Command and Staff College, Joint Forces Staff College, Defense Language Institute, and the Argentine Armed Forces Joint War College in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Following his retirement from the Marine Corps in 2024, Colonel Dremann returned to The Citadel as the 2d Battalion and Echo Company TAC Officer. In January 2026, he assumed duties as Director of the Krause Center for Leadership Development at The Citadel.
Colonel Dremann and his family reside in Charleston, South Carolina