Troy cadet receives medal of merit

Troy University’s Air Force ROTC welcomed and congratulated Cadet Clark, Space Force guardian, for receiving the Air and Space Commendation Medal. 

Clark was sent to Troy’s Air Force ROTC program through a full-ride Airmen Scholarship Commissioning Program to commission as an officer. Prior to commissioning here at Troy, Clark was on active duty at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs.  

“I'm liking what I'm seeing here at Detachment 017,” Clark said.  

“It's definitely an adjustment going from active duty in Colorado Space Force to getting sent to Troy, but this is my future here, and they’re building me.  

“A lot of my peers have been growing me into a leader.” 

This award is presented to those of high merit, great valor and outstanding service. 

Clark shared what he was feeling when he first received news of being awarded the Air and Space Commendation Medal.  

“Just to get the recognition that ‘Hey, a few people do know what you’re doing in keeping our nation secure and making sure the mission gets done,’ I was ecstatic,” Clark said.  

“Just being able to have my peers be there to see a little bit of what I did was something very special.” 

Clark described some of the love and support he received from his peers for this accomplishment.  

“To them, I'm just a random space force guy from Colorado,” Clark said. “Then they hear a couple of things that I did, and they’re like ‘Okay, Clark, he means business.’  

“My mentor, Cadet Lieutenant Coronel Gray, was very excited when I told him the news. He always said, ‘You’re definitely one of the more outstanding peers.’  

He knows that to be a space force cadet, you have to be one of character, connection, commitment and courage, and he sees that in me, so I really do appreciate it.”  

Clark currently serves as Deputy Drill Commander over A14 in Detachment 017 and leads the Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) Operations.  

“Being able to lead by example and lift up others so that they can achieve the same that I have achieved and way further past what I have achieved is my goal at the end of the day,” Clark said.  

“Next spring, we would like as many people to join as possible.  

“We want future leaders here at Detachment 017. It really is the best opportunity this campus has to offer, without a doubt.” 

Clark’s mentor, Cadet Lieutenant Coronel Gray, shared what it was like to see Clark receive this medal of merit.  

“I was lucky to have him,” Gray said. “He has grown a lot within eight weeks.  

“He knows his value and his purpose here and he's able to help us older upperclassmen 

shape young leaders into tomorrow’s Air Force.  

He has good character, he’s highly motivated, he uplifts others and he’s just a work horse.”  

Gray emphasized the opportunities Air Force ROTC has opened up for Clark and continues to provide for all future cadets.  

“The opportunities are just endless,” Gray said. “For the people who are trying to come in the spring, it is completely worth it.  

“Cadet Clark himself even said it.  

You build connections and you put yourself in uncomfortable positions which furthers you to grow in your career and your future as well.” 

Lieutenant Colonel Alon also expressed how proud he was of Clark for achieving this badge of honor.  

“Presenting Cadet Clark his commendation medal was fantastic because it showcased what the Space Force does for our country,” Alon said.  

“I was very proud of Cadet Clark because the medal highlighted how exceptional he was as a Space Force Guardian and how he operated at the forefront of targeting missions.  

I hope other students around Troy are inspired to consider a career in the Space Force and come talk to us at Detachment 017 because of Cadet Clark's actions.”  

Clark will continue serving as an officer in Troy’s Air Force ROTC program for the next three years before returning to his Space Force family in Colorado Springs, Colorado, to finish technical training.