Rice served in the Grayson Space Marine Corps' 5019th Special Battalion (commonly known as the "Orbit Dogs") until the assassination attempt on Protector Benjamin IX and his family. Though the Protector and his family were saved by Honor Harrington, most of his armsmen, including their commanding officer, were killed. Rice became the new personal armsman of the Protector and leader of his security detachment, and remained in this position at least until 1918 PD, when he held the rank of Major. (HH9, HH10)