U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- The Secretary of the Air Force has named Maj. Gen. Thomas P. Sherman as the next U.S. Air Force Academy vice superintendent.
Sherman will arrive at the Academy the week of May 27 and will serve as the interim superintendent after Lt. Gen. Richard Clark retires on June 1 and until the next superintendent is confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, Class of 1991, has been nominated to be the Academy’s 22nd superintendent and is awaiting Senate confirmation.
“It is a true honor and a dream to be assigned and serve our Academy as its vice superintendent,” said Sherman. “I am tremendously excited and humbled to join a team so deeply devoted to the important mission of this premier military and academic institution. I look forward to working side-by-side with our dedicated professionals to further the environment and climate that develops, fosters and inspires today’s cadets to become tomorrow’s leaders of our Airmen and Guardians.”
Sherman is currently the Director of Security Forces, Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Engineering and Force Protection, Headquarters U.S. Air Force. He graduated from the Academy in 1995 and has served in a variety of leadership, staff and command positions at the squadron, group, wing, center and joint level.
The Department of the Air Force is upgrading the vice superintendent post to a general officer position to increase the efficiency of institutional decision-making, provide additional senior leader involvement in high-interest efforts and sustain an enduring climate of dignity and respect.
“Elevating this position will help us solidify the cadet culture and experience required to develop officers ready to lead in an era of Great Power Competition,” said Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. David Allvin. “This adjustment is not a reflection in any way of the excellent performance of previous vice superintendents. Instead, it showcases our commitment to prioritizing leadership development across our force.”
Sherman will serve as the interim superintendent until the Senate confirms the 22nd superintendent. The U.S. Air Force Academy will continue to operate as normal, including preparing for the arrival of the Class of 2028 on June 26.
“The Academy’s leadership team sets the tone for our future officers during this formative period of their careers,” said U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman. “Whether they commission into the Space Force or the Air Force, all our cadets will benefit from this change, especially given the high-intensity operational demands we face today and will continue to face in the future.”