Gavin Marks
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Gavin Marks | |
|---|---|
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| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Service years | 1996–present |
| Rank |  Brigadier General |
| Commands | Commandant of Cadets of USAFA 55th Wing 99th Flying Training Squadron |
| Awards | Legion of Merit (3) Defense Meritorious Service Medal (2) Meritorious Service Medal (2) Air Force Commendation Medal (2) |
| Alma mater | United States Air Force Academy (BS) George Washington University (MS) |
Gavin P. Marks is a retired United States Air Force brigadier general who served as the Commandant of Cadets of the United States Air Force Academy since 2023. He previously served as Director, Secretary, and Chief of Staff of the Air Force Executive Action Group.[1]
Marks attended the United States Air Force Academy and graduated with the Class of 1996. In 2002, he obtained a Master of Science in organizational management from George Washington University. Later, in 2015 he received a Master of Science in National Security Strategy from the National War College.[1]
Military career
After graduating from the Air Force Academy, Marks attended Joint Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi. Marks then attended Pilot Instructor Training at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, and graduated top of his class.[2] Afterwards, he moved to Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma, to serve as an T-1A Instructor Pilot with the 32nd Flying Training Squadron. During that time, he attended Squadron Officer School at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, and received Distinguished Graduate honors.[1]
Between May 2012 and 2014, Marks commanded the 99th Flying Training Squadron flying out of Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. He attended the National War College in Washington, D.C., where he received both distinguished graduate honors and the Dean's Award. He served as Vice Commander of the 552d Air Control Wing at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, from July 2017 to June 2019.[2]
Between June 2019 and 2021, he served as commander of the 55th Wing, out of Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. After that assignment, he served as Director of SECAF/CSAF Executive Action Group, at the Pentagon, in Arlington, Virginia.[2] In May 2022, he was promoted to the rank of brigadier general.[3]
In June 2023, Marks became the 31st Commandant of Cadets of the United States Air Force Academy, succeeding Paul Moga.[4] He has over 3,400 flying hours. His significant accomplishments as Commandant include culture and morale of cadets and instituting discipline. [5] Some of his notable command decisions include taking away flight suits, restricting cadets to base, increasing the amount of military formations, and instituting mandatory social decorum dinners for cadets. [6]
Awards and decorations
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Effective dates of promotion
| Insignia | Rank | Date of rank |
|---|---|---|
 | Second Lieutenant | May 29, 1996 |
 | First Lieutenant | May 29, 1998 |
 | Captain | May 29, 2000 |
 | Major | May 1, 2006 |
 | Lieutenant Colonel | December 1, 2010 |
 | Colonel | March 1, 2017 |
| Brigadier General | June 2, 2023 |
