People: ELLIS CLARK
Retired Chief Master Sergeant Ellis Clark left a legacy that will be carried on by the cadets in Bob Jones Air Force Junior ROTC
The first day of school for students at Bob Jones High School was August 4. Among the many great attributes students will experiences at the Bob Jones campus this semester, there is a very noticeable void. Ellis Clark is not there this year to greet eager new students.
Without a doubt, retired Chief Master Sergeant or CMSgt Ellis Clark has earned utmost respect from his student cadets in Air Force Junior ROTC or AFJROTC at Bob Jones High School. Chief Clark retired at the end of the last school year 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 will take with me lots of great memories of the challenges, victories and friendships that 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.”
His time at Bob Jones started in August 2008 for the AL-20021 unit with colleague, retired Lt. Col. Randy Herd. He later worked with retired Maj. Dr. Melissa Lacey, the current instructor.
“Chief Clark will be missed more than even he knows,” Lacey 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.”
While Clark is proud of all cadet teams, his Color Guard and Drill Teams have given special pride to him. Those teams have grown tremendously . . . “not in size but rather in performance. When I came on board as coach in 2008, they would occasionally win at local competitions.”
“Today, the teams are a formidable drill powerhouse that does well on the Nationals level, not to mention our Color Guard were Nationals winners two years in a row,” he said.
“As First Sergeant for more than a decade, taking college courses was tough because of job demands,” he said. “However, through the Community College of the Air Force, I accumulated several associate’s degrees — avionics technology, instructor of avionics technology, instructor of military science and human resources. Through the University of Phoenix, I acquired my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology.”
Most people are shocked to learn 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. “’Whoda thunk it. LOL.’”
Long ago, Clark’s hobby was photography, including darkroom work and a published photo. “However, that was back in the day when the single-lens reflex camera was popular. I may reacquaint myself with this hobby and learn to incorporate drones to expand the breadth of experience and results.”
Clark will travel to visit with friends he has met 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.
Undoubtedly, Clark has greatly influenced his cadets:
• Senior Charlotte Droege — “When I came in as a sophomore. I was very timid; leading was outside my comfort zone. While learning drill, Chief (suggested) funny sayings to remember spacing and alignment. To this day, I hear him in my head while marching.”
“Chief selected me as drill team commander my junior year,” Droege said. “He 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,” Droege said.
• Junior Anthony Rivera — “His humor made a huge impression on me, but Chief always believed in me especially when I didn’t myself. My freshman year, I struggled with marching but Chief saw potential and encouraged me to try drill team. That moment changed everything. I’ve been excelling in drill ever since and found something I love and now serve as Drill Team Commander.”
“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,” Rivera said.
• Senior Molly Halter – “Chief Clark has been a significant influence on my life. He . . . always put in his time and effort to help us excel in JROTC. We’ll always appreciate Chief having been our Aerospace Science Instructor.”
• Senior Kuan He – “Chief’s story-based teaching opened my eyes to the world and equipped me with crucial life skills, like how to jumpstart a car. His classes blended practical and personal skills, ranging from topics such as finance to stress management. Everything he has taught me I’ve applied daily.”
• Junior Caitlyn Johnston – “Chief has been one of the most beneficial and important people in my life. His influence has taught me so much about life and JROTC. I feel prepared for life because of what he has taught me.”
• Freshman Aleigha Cobb – “The class was kinda hard, but, even in it, I learned that it’s not good to ‘rush to failure.’ As he leaves, I have to say, ‘Never give up and stay in the moment . . . to not worry about what’s to come.’ Jesus has blessed him greatly; I’ll be praying for him.”
• Freshman Edward Lee – “If you had asked me a year ago if I want to join the military, I would have said I don’t want to die fighting in World War III. However, now I think the military is full of unforgettable lifetime experiences. His lectures also teach us street smarts — really cool.”
“He helped me hold myself more accountable for my careless mistakes and encouraged me to manage my life. I didn’t speak too much when the semester started and often kept to myself, but Chief helped me become more confident.”
“Chief guided me to win first place at Hazel Green Drill Competition. He’s the only person in my life who has lumped me and my sister together in a positive notation. When someone messed up, Chief believes, rather than yelling at a Cadet on the drill pad, he stays silent because he knows deep inside the person is beating themselves over it, (helping) me be more patient with people when they mess up,” Lee said.
“I’ll remember him as the amazing, confident and knowledgeable person. He always had the best intentions for everyone. I’m not mediocre but more special. I’m held to a higher standard since people expect more from me and see me as more responsible.”
