CMSgt. Ellis Clark awarded title of Drill Master
MADISON – Chief Master Sergeant Ellis Clark has received the prestigious title of “Drill Master – 013H.” Currently, Clark teaches Air Force JROTC at Bob Jones High School.
“All of my Drill Masters so far have shown through hard work that they have earned the title. CMSgt. Ellis Clark is no different,” world-renowned Drill Master John Marshall said about presenting the honor to Clark.
“It’s time he was awarded the honorary title of Drill Master. CMSgt. Clark joins 12 other men from around the world who have studied, performed and trained others for years. Congratulations, Chief,” Marshall said.
Clark accepted the position at Bob Jones following his retirement in 2008. He had amassed 30 years of honorable service in the U.S. Air Force.
His assignment locations included Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, New York and Virginia, along with the United Kingdom, Korea and Okinawa, Japan. His duties included maintenance and operation of aircraft communication, navigation, computer technology, radar, flight control and weapon delivery systems on fighter aircraft.
In addition, Clark worked as Master Instructor for an Air Education Training Command. He taught maintenance and repair of A-10, F-15, F-16 and F-111 aircraft for 13 years and received Occupational Instructor certification. As a First Sergeant for 13-plus years, Clark molded and shaped young Airmen and provided leadership skills to large organizations while maintaining and improving unit morale, health and welfare.
His teaching assignments included Cannon Air Force Base or AFB, Clovis, N.M.; Plattsburgh AFB, Plattsburgh, N.Y.; RAF Upper Heyford, United Kingdom; and Lowery AFB, Denver, Colo.
Clark served at several deployed locations, such as Al Jabar and Ali Al Salem air bases and Camp Doha in Kuwait, and approximately four months, ending Jan. 2008, at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arabic Emirates.
His awards include Meritorious Service Medal, six clusters; Air Force Commendation Medal, three clusters; and Firearms Marksman.
At Bob Jones, Clark coaches Archery, Drill, Honor Guard and Marksmanship teams.
“Chief Clark enjoys teaching Drill and Ceremony to his students, as well as instilling military customs and courtesies into today’s youth,” Marshall said. “His Drill Teams and Color Guard are noted winners in National Drill Competition.”
Clark earned associate degrees in human resources, instructor of military science and instructor of avionics technology; and bachelor’s and master’s degrees, psychology. He gained certification in Air Rifle Marksmanship Safety; Range Management; Alabama Fitness Testing; as Basic Archery Instructor; and as Occupational Instructor.
“My teaching philosophy is simple, especially here in high school . . . to teach each cadet all the basic skills that will make them successful citizens, whether they go into the military, continue onto higher education or go straight into the workforce,” Clark said.
