CMSgt Ellis Clark retires from Bob Jones AFJROTC
He has given 47 years to the service of this country and area youth
MADISON – Student cadets in Air Force Junior ROTC or AFJROTC at Bob Jones High School hold deep respect for “Chief” – retired Chief Master Sergeant or CMSgt Ellis Clark, who is retiring as Aerospace Science Instructor.
“Since the age of 18, I’ve given 47 years to the service of this country, its youth and multiple communities,” Clark said. “I’ll take lots of great memories of challenges, victories and friendships I experienced and hope that, through it all, I’ve made a difference in someone’s life and left this program better than I found it.”
In 2008, Clark joined the Bob Jones unit with retired Lt. Col. Randy Herd. Clark then taught with retired Maj. Dr. Melissa Lacey, the current instructor.
“Chief Clark will be missed more than even he knows,” Lac- ey said. “The cadets, their families, teachers and the community will suffer a great loss with his departure. However, he has built a legacy in Madison that will carry AFJROTC into the next phase of serving the school and community. He helped the program triple in size during his tenure.”
Proud of all teams, Clark had special pride for his Color Guard and Drill Teams. Those teams have grown tremendously . . . “not in size but rather in performance. When I (started) coaching in 2008, they would occasionally win at local competitions.”
“Today, they’re a formidable drill powerhouse that does well on the Nationals level. Our Color Guard was Nationals winner two (consecutive) years,” Clark said.
Community College of the Air Force allowed Clark to accumulate several associate’s degrees — avionics technology, instructor of military science and human resources. With University of Phoenix, he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology.
Most people don’t know that Clark is a drummer. “An even bigger shocker is I once was a choir director while stationed at RAF Upper Heyford in the United Kingdom,” he said.
Clark want to return to his hobby of photography. “I may reacquaint myself with this hobby and learn to incorporate drones to expand the breadth of results.”
Clark will travel to visit friends in other states and countries. “Now that I have more time to take care of my Chief’s to-do list around the house, I can get a bunch of small projects done,” he said.
Clark has greatly influenced his cadets:
• Senior Charlotte Droege “Chief inspired me to pursue a career in the military. Chief was always willing to help me . . . even when he had a lot on his plate. I’ll miss Chief. He’s a great example of the leader I want to be.”
• Junior Anthony Rivera — “Chief taught me what it means to be an outstanding leader through his own actions (with) his positive, cheerful and creative approach. People want to be around him and learn. The person I am today would most definitely not be the same if it weren’t for Chief’s guidance.”
• Senior Molly Halter – “Chief Clark has been a significant influence on my life. He . . . always put in time and effort to help us excel in JROTC. We’ll always appreciate Chief having been our Aerospace Science Instructor.”
