Robert (Rod) Bishop Class Of 1974
Biography
Seven-time AF, two-time Joint Commander. Stood up AF’s largest OSS, led Airlift Squadron to “Best in the Air Force” and Wing to the “Best Wing” in Numbered AF both years in Command. Helped lead Charleston AFB to a 99%+ departure reliability rating through a make-or-break test of C-17. Deployed 7 times to contingencies as USTRANSCOM/Air Mobility Command’s Director of Mobility Forces.
AOG BOD Desired Attributes:
Mission. Few graduates have committed as much personal time (>40 hours a week average for the last 4 years) trying to ensure USAFA is focused on building leaders with a selfless servant warrior ethos.
Previous Board Experience.
BOD member of:
--LERI
--CRAF Carrier
--Chairman BOA: ATA
--Chairman BOD for 3+ years of a military-focused 501C3
Skills/Expertise
--3 Star Command/leadership
--Extensive congressional liaison/engagement
--Strategic planning/execution
--Strategic communications
--Marketing/budget oversight:
--$8B MAJCOM as POM Director
--$1B Combatant Command as DCOM
--$500M MAJCOM as CV
Connection
--Former Falcon Foundation and Blue and Silver Club
--USAF Senior Mentor
--Senior Advisor to CRAF Carrier supporting USAF
--Cadet sponsorship/mentorship
Awards and Recognition. Recipient of “US Air Force’s O’Malley Award”: recognizes the outstanding wing commander/spouse team.
Candidacy Statement
34 years/26 moves serving our AF, my wife and I retired to Colorado to again “sponsor” cadets and support USAFA. We have now sponsored over 20 cadets.
We are concerned by many comments cadets have shared:
“The culture is changing underneath my feet…and it is not for the better.”
“(BCT) was too easy and if I heard ‘we need leaders of diversity’ one more time, I was going to throw up.”
“I (feel) I (am) constantly being indoctrinated.”
“I see so many bright young cadets here who know that what is going on is wrong…at the same time are too scared to speak up.”
I asked our AOG for support in providing input to Academy leadership that cadets perceive the current atmosphere as “divisive” and “identity politics on steroids.” I was rebuffed and told that “the AOG cannot get involved in anything political” and “the Supt gets enough input from too many sources already.”
I believe graduates should have a voice. We are stakeholders. This is why I became a part of a concerted effort to change our AoI and bylaws. My promise to you, if elected, is that I will work tirelessly to ensure ALL graduates’ voices are heard.