Gavin Marks Explained

Gavin Marks
Branch:	United States Air Force
Serviceyears:	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 United States Air Force brigadier general currently serving 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]

Early life

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 Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals 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 F-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.

Awards and decorations

Personal decorations Legion of Merit with two bronze oak leaf clusters Defense Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster Air Force Commendation Medal Unit awards Joint Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf cluster Meritorious Unit Award with two bronze oak leaf clusters Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with "V" Device and one bronze oak leaf cluster Service Awards Combat Readiness Medal Campaign and service medals Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Service and training awards Air Force Longevity Service Award with one silver and one bronze oak leaf cluster Air Force Training Ribbon

Other accoutrements align=center US Air Force Command Pilot Badge align=center Parachutist Badge align=center Headquarters Air Force Badge

Effective dates of promotion

Insignia	Rank	Date of rank
		May 29, 1996
		May 29, 1998
		May 29, 2000
		May 1, 2006
		December 1, 2010
		March 1, 2017
		June 2, 2023

Assignments

• 1. July 1996–February 1997, Assistant Executive Officer / Special Projects Officer, 34th Training Wing, United States Air Force Academy, Colo.
• 2. February 1997–February 1998, Student, Specialized UPT, Columbus Air Force Base, Miss.
• 3. February 1998–July 1998, Student, Pilot Instructor Training, Randolph AFB, Texas
• 4. July 1998–May 2001, T-1A Instructor Pilot, Squadron Programmer, Check Pilot, 32nd Flying Training Squadron, Vance AFB, Okla.
• 5. June 2001–June 2002, Air Force Intern, the Pentagon, Arlington Va.
• 6. July 2002–July 2004, Assistant Flight Commander, E-3 Aircraft Commander, 963rd Airborne Air Control Squadron, Tinker AFB, Okla.
• 7. July 2004–March 2005, Flight Commander, E-3 Instructor Pilot, 963rd Airborne Air Control Squadron, Tinker AFB, Okla.
• 8. March 2005–September 2006, Wing Executive Officer, E-3 Instructor Pilot, 552nd Air Control Wing, Tinker AFB, Okla.
• 9. September 2006–November 2007, assistant director of Operations, E-3 Evaluator Pilot, 964th Airborne Air Control Squadron, Tinker AFB, Okla.
• 10. November 2007–June 2010, Observer / Trainer, J7 Joint Warfighting Center, United States Joint Forces Command, Suffolk, Va.
• 11. June 2010–May 2012, Director of Operations, 99th Flying Training Squadron, Randolph AFB, Texas
• 12. May 2012–May 2014, Commander, 99th Flying Training Squadron, Randolph AFB, Texas
• 13. May 2014–June 2015, Student, National War College, Ft McNair, Washington, D.C.
• 14. June 2015–June 2016, Executive Officer, Joint Functional Component Command for Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance, U.S. Strategic Command, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C.
• 15. June 2016–July 2017, Operations Planner, Force Management Division, J-32 ISR / CCA, Joint Staff, the Pentagon, Arlington Va.
• 16. July 2017–June 2019, Vice Commander, 552nd Air Control Wing, Tinker AFB, Okla.
• 17. June 2019–June 2021, Commander, 55th Wing, Offutt AFB, Neb.
• 18. June 2021–June 2022, Director, SECAF / CSAF Executive Action Group, Headquarters Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington Va.
• 19. June 2022–June 2023, Director, Electromagnetic Spectrum Superiority, Headquarters Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington Va.
• 20. June 2023–present, Commandant of Cadets, United States Air Force Academy, Colo.

Notes and References

1. Web site: BRIGADIER GENERAL GAVIN P. PARKS. www.af.mil.
2. Web site: Col. Gavin P. Marks. www.offutt.af.mil.
3. Web site: General Officer Announcements. 2022-03-02. 2023-09-21. U.S. Department of Defense.
4. Web site: Brigadier General Marks Takes Command of Cadet Wing. United States Air Force Academy. June 21, 2023.