Gavin Marks

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Gavin Marks
Brig Gen Gavin P. Marks (2).jpg
Branch United States Air Force
Years of service1996–present
Rank US-O7 insignia.svg 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]

Contents

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 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

Personal decorations
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Legion of Merit ribbon.svg
Legion of Merit with two bronze oak leaf clusters
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Defense Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg
Defense Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Meritorious Service ribbon.svg
Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation ribbon.svg Air Force Commendation Medal
Unit awards
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Joint Meritorious Unit Award (USMC and USN frame).svg
Joint Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf cluster
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Air Force Meritorious Unit ribbon.svg
Meritorious Unit Award with two bronze oak leaf clusters
Valor device.svg
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Outstanding Unit ribbon.svg
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with "V" Device and one bronze oak leaf cluster
Organizational Excellence ribbon.svg Air and Space Organizational Excellence Award
Service Awards
Combat Readiness Medal ribbon.svg Combat Readiness Medal
Campaign and service medals
National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service ribbon.svg Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Service and training awards
Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon.svg Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon
Longevity Service Award USAF.svg Silver oakleaf-3d.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Air Force Longevity Service Award with one silver and one bronze oak leaf cluster
USAF Marksmanship ribbon.svg Marksmanship ribbon
Air Force Training Ribbon.svg Air Force Training Ribbon
Other accoutrements
COMMAND PILOT WINGS.png US Air Force Command Pilot Badge
US Army Airborne basic parachutist badge.gif Parachutist Badge
Headquarters US Air Force Badge.png Headquarters Air Force Badge

Effective dates of promotion

InsigniaRankDate of rank
US-OF1B.svg Second Lieutenant May 29, 1996
US-OF1A.svg First Lieutenant May 29, 1998
US-O3 insignia.svg Captain May 29, 2000
US-O4 insignia.svg Major May 1, 2006
US-O5 insignia.svg Lieutenant Colonel December 1, 2010
US-O6 insignia.svg Colonel March 1, 2017
US-O7 insignia.svg Brigadier General June 2, 2023

Assignments

References

  1. 1 2 3 "BRIGADIER GENERAL GAVIN P. PARKS". www.af.mil.
  2. 1 2 3 "Col. Gavin P. Marks" (PDF). www.offutt.af.mil.
  3. "General Officer Announcements". U.S. Department of Defense. March 2, 2022. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  4. "Brigadier General Marks Takes Command of Cadet Wing". United States Air Force Academy. June 21, 2023.
  5. "Marks places culture at top of priorities". DVIDS. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  6. "Air Force Academy restricted all cadets to base as classes started, leading to meat shortages". Colorado Springs Gazette. December 23, 2024. Retrieved July 23, 2025.

PD-icon.svg This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States government .

Military offices
Preceded by Commandant of Cadets of the United States Air Force Academy
2023–present
Incumbent