LEADING THE CHARGE

Lt. General Richard M. Clark - Superintendent, USAFA

by Pam Bales, Senior Writer

He oversees more than 4,000 students on a beautiful campus spread over 18,500 acres, with the paramount purpose of educating the next generation of leaders for the United States Air Force. And the 21st U.S. Air Force Academy Superintendent Lt. General Richard M. Clark arrived at the Academy to begin his tenure at the beginning of COVID-19.

“I have to be candid — COVID was a nightmare, for all of our military academies,” says Lt. Gen. Clark. “We fought through COVID together. Our cadets, our staff, our leaders all showed determination and resiliency to overcome this very tough and unexpected period. We couldn’t just send our cadets home; after all, we are the Air Force Academy.”

One positive aspect of the pandemic was the mentorship and closeness developed between all the superintendents from all branches of the military, notes Clark. “We depended upon each other to figure out how to develop good paths during an exceedingly challenging time. I believe it has helped our future leaders across all branches of service. We still check in regularly with each other.”

Struggling through the pandemic is something Clark points to for the character development the Academy strives for every day.

“One of my favorite quotes is from Lao Tzu, “Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character,” shares the General.

“Our purpose at the Academy is to prepare our cadets and equip them with the knowledge they need, and encourage bold innovative thinkers to keep our country safe. Losing is not an option and who knows what the world will look like in 15-20 years? Our cadets are developing skill sets in cyberspace, national security issues as well as traditional military maneuvers,” says Clark. “They are smart, inquisitive and are keeping pace with today’s rapidly changing technology.”

General Clark was born into a military family, while his father was stationed in Frankfurt, Germany. The family moved to the Oakland/Berkley area in California after his father’s service ended. And Clark’s early childhood took an abrupt turn at the age of ten – moving across the country from California to Richmond, Virginia.

“I was a pretty shy kid,” says Clark. “Moving across the country was big in itself and it was a pretty tough transition for me in the early 1970s.” That pivotal move made him aware that people are mostly the same, but cultures are quite different.

He found his voice and his crew in high school, playing football and becoming an Air Force pilot. But the desire to fly came when he was 14 years old on a commercial flight. “You know, back in the day, the pilots let you go into the cockpit. After that brief experience, I knew I wanted to be a pilot,” he says.

“Football ended up being the hook to get me into the Air Force Academy. I was looking at several schools when the Academy reached out to me. We visited the campus and I was hooked. I got to play football AND learn to fly,” laughs Clark.

As a cadet, General Clark was a fouryear varsity athlete on the football team as a linebacker. During his senior season in 1985, the Falcons went 12–1 and were eighth in the final AP poll.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Management, Clark’s military career followed a unique path because of the type of Airman he says he has always been. “As in any industry, there are many types of workers, managers, and CEOs. I’ve always been willing to serve in whatever role the Air Force needs,” notes Clark. “I got to live my dream by starting as a bomber pilot.”

Clark was named a distinguished graduate from Squadron Officer School at Maxwell Air Force Base and attained a Master of Arts in human resource development at Webster University. In 1996, he attended the USAF Weapons School and was again a distinguished graduate at the Naval War College. Clark had several deployments overseas and, after a stint in Egypt as the United States Defense Attaché, his next stop was the Pentagon. He served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration just prior to coming back to USAFA.

“I say it is coming back because I was the commandant of the cadets in 2010–12, but thought this opportunity had passed,” Clark explains. “I thought my chief asked me to lunch to talk about a possible fourth star. When he asked if I would come back to USAFA as the superintendent, I was thrilled.” making sure there is enough time for both work and family. “We’ve lived in many places in the United States and around the world. It was a wonderful education for our children. But, at every turn, we talked as a team about the next position,” he says. “Most military spouses will tell you that working together is the key to a successful relationship, family, and military career.”

“People talk about balance in their lives, but for me, my wife is the one who knows how to keep harmony in our lives,” explains Clark. “I’ve been with the military for 37 years, but I’ll be with my family the rest of my life.”

“I do take my position and my service to my country very seriously which is why I seek to live the Air Force Core Values in my own life — Integrity first, Service before self, Excellence in all we do,” emphasizes Clark.

Imparting and translating the core values into action is exactly what he and his entire staff teach their cadets each day and try to exemplify in their own lives.

“If a person lives honorably, that is based on integrity; lifting up others and the team is service before self and elevating our performance across all aspects of the academy –academics, athletics, military – that is excellence in all we do,” the General notes.

Clark adds two more traits he believes are imperative in creating the Air Force’s future leadersdignity and respect.

“We are not perfect and when we fail in these two areas, with sexual harassment and prejudice, it’s my biggest disappointment,” he says. “The gender and cultural diversity of our cadets means we need to meet people where they are and develop them for where they want to be. People want a sense of purpose and to know they are part of something bigger than themselves. It takes dignity and respect to reach that commonality that will let our leaders soar.”

As a leader of leaders, Clark often surprises people when he describes himself as the consummate introvert. “I share with the cadets that it is not easy for me to speak on a large stage. So, I practice a lot. I explain that they must get out of their comfort zone. They are going to be called upon as leaders to present, speak, and lead.”

“We also emphasize our responsibility to engage with the community we live in,” says Clark. USAFA is always looking to connect with its host community of Colorado Springs with residents, businesses, and city and county officials, he says.

While there are many Colorado Springs USAFA Falcon sports fans, the Academy offers other opportunities for residents in the Springs according to Clark. “We produce plays, concerts and we have thousands of acres to enjoy hiking, biking and fishing. As an open campus, the public is welcome from 5:30 am to 10:00 p.m. through either the North or South Gates. We also partner with our local civic leaders and are proud of our Honorary Commanders Program.”

“We live here, our cadets are going to school here, and it’s very important to our entire Academy that we are engaged with and part of the community,” emphasizes Clark. “Some of my closest colleagues are my staff, my peers at the Academy, and my peers in higher education at UCCS and Colorado College.”

FAST FACTS ABOUT THE 21st USAFA SUPERINTENDENT

FAVORITE PILOT STORY – General Clark’s bomber pilot call sign was HARPO – Not Marx, but Oprah spelled backward. “Ok – we were in Chicago and I went on the Oprah Show when she was doing her “dating” thing. I won and went out with a lovely woman. I also never lived it down and my squadron renamed my call sign to HARPO.

FAVORITE SPORT — Football, of course – Go Falcons!

FAVORITE CREATIVE OUTLET — “Chef Clark” likes to get in the kitchen (when his wife lets him). And it’s reported he makes a mean Carrot Cake.

FAVORITE SPORT TO PLAY — It has always been football, but now it’s pickle ball. “There is debate about this being a real sport, but I love it.”

FAVORITE FAMILY OUTING — “Our family loves to travel and ski,” says Clark. “We’ve skied all over, including Germany, Italy, Austria and Switzerland. Vail is where you’ll find us most of the time now.”

About The Usafa

• Established in April 1954, the United States Air Force Academy occupies 18,500 acres on the north end of Colorado Springs.

• USAFA is open to the public with valid governmentissued photo identification from 5:30 am to 10:00 pm daily through the North Gate entrance, offering the community hiking, biking, fishing, and even a planetarium. Visit usafa.edu/visitors for more information about public access.

• The Cadet Chapel is the most recognizable building at the United States Air Force Academy and the most visited man-made tourist attraction in Colorado. Closed extensive repairs, the Chapel is expected to in 2027.

• The new U.S. Air Force Academy Visitor and TrueNorth Commons mixed-use along with a four-diamond hotel conference center is slated to open in couple of years. The 57-acre complex the Academy’s North Gate entrance open to the public.