Ronald Patrick "Ron" Clark[2] (born 15 August 1966)[3] a United States Army lieutenant general who serves as the senior military assistant to the United States Secretary of Defense. He previously commanded United States Army Central from 2021 to 2022.[4] He also served as Chief of Staff, United States Indo-Pacific Command.[5] He previously served as the commander of the 25th Infantry Division, and, before that, as Chief of Staff, United States Army Pacific.[6]
Ronald P. Clark | |
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| Nickname(s) | Ron Lucky 6[1] |
| Born | 15 August 1966 Montana, U.S. |
| Service/ | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1988–present |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
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| Battles/wars | |
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Military career edit
Ron Clark was commissioned as a second lieutenant of Infantry upon graduation from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1988. He began his career as a Rifle Platoon Leader and Scout Platoon Leader in 5th Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Armored Division, both in Germany and in Southwest Asia during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. He was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division, at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, where he commanded B Company, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, and later served as aide-de-camp to the Commanding General, 25th Infantry Division (Light) and US Army Hawaii.
Clark served as Operations Officer and Executive Officer in 1st Battalion (Airborne), 509th Infantry Regiment at Fort Polk, Louisiana. He later served as aide-de-camp to the Commanding General, United States Army Forces Command at Fort McPherson, Georgia. Clark was Commander of 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) both at Fort Campbell, Kentucky and in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.[7]
Clark was the 41st Chief of Infantry Branch at United States Army Human Resources Command. He also served as Director of the Center for the Army Profession and Ethic at West Point. He was Commander of the 192d Infantry Brigade at Fort Benning, Georgia. Next, Clark was the Army's Deputy Director of Strategy, Plans and Policy in the Pentagon. He followed that by serving as Deputy Commanding General – Support, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina and in Iraq during Operation Inherent Resolve. Clark also served as the Deputy Chief of Staff-Operations for the NATO Allied Rapid Reaction Corps.
Clark replaced Major General Christopher G. Cavoli as commander of the 25th Infantry Division on 4 January 2018.[8]
In May 2022, Clark was nominated for reappointment as lieutenant general and assignment as the senior military assistant to the secretary of defense.[9][10]
Education edit
Clark earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Military Academy in 1988. He followed this with a Master of Military Art and Science degree at the United States Army Command and General Staff College.
Clark completed a United States Army College Fellowship at Duke University. He also graduated from the MIT Seminar XXI National Security Studies Program.[11]
Media edit
In 2006, then Battalion Commander Lieutenant Colonel Clark appeared in a video about the usage of tanks during the deployment of the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) in Ramadi, Iraq.[12]
Also in 2006, Clark was featured in a video titled "Band of Brothers" about the deployment of the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) in Ramadi, Iraq.[13]
Clark was interviewed on 17 September 2018 by The West Point Center for Oral History and reflected on his career and leadership principles as well as the role that West Point has played in his life.[14]
Clark appeared in a video invitation to the 25th Infantry Division Association to Tropic Lightning Week on 5 October 2018.[15]
On 31 July 2020, Duke University Professor David Schanzer joined Major General Clark in a conversation about race, diversity, and inclusion in the U.S. Army.[16]
Awards and decorations edit
 Army Distinguished Service Medal
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 Bronze Star Medal
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 Defense Meritorious Service Medal
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 Joint Meritorious Unit Award
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 Valorous Unit Award
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 Navy Unit Commendation
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 Meritorious Unit Commendation
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 Superior Unit Award
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 Iraq Campaign Medal
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 Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
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 Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
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 Humanitarian Service Medal
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 Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
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 Army Service Ribbon
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  Army Overseas Service Ribbon with bronze award numeral 4
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_ribbon.svg){kind=small} Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
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_ribbon.svg){kind=small} Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
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Personal life edit
Clark is married and has two adult children.
References edit
- ^ "USARCENT Leaders". U.S. Army Central. Retrieved 2021-08-18.
- ^ "Ronald Patrick Clark". West Point Association of Graduates. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
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- ^ Horton, Keon (2021-08-04). "USARCENT Welcomes New Commanding General". DVIDS.
- ^ "Chief of Staff, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command". U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. December 2019. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
- ^ "Ceremony welcomes incoming chief of staff to USARPAC". U.S. Army. 2 August 2017. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
- ^ Morin, Monte (30 August 2006). "Hunting insurgents a frustrating lesson in detective work". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
- ^ Cole, William (22 December 2017). "Pentagon names new Schofield commander". Star Advertiser. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
- ^ "PN2179 — Lt. Gen. Ronald P. Clark — Army". United States Congress. May 24, 2022.
- ^ "General Officer Assignment Announcement, dtd 28 June 2022". GOMO. Office of the Chief of Staff of the Army. June 28, 2022. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
- ^ "Maj. Gen. Ronald P. "Ron" Clark, Chief of Staff, U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC)". Retrieved 20 February 2019.
- ^ Urbano, Chris (3 November 2006). "Tankers in Ramadi". DVIDS. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ Urbano, Chris (8 November 2006). "Band of Brothers". DVIDS. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ ""If We Didn't Work Together, We'd Perish": Relationships Built At The Speed Of Trust". The West Point Center for Oral History. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
- ^ Martinez, Megan L. (5 October 2018). "Invite to the 25th Infantry Division Association to Tropic Lightning Week Dec. 17-21, 2018". DVIDS. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ Ogburn, Jackie (31 July 2020). "Major General Ron Clark Talks about Race, Diversity and Inclusion in the U.S. Army". Duke University. Retrieved 19 May 2021.