Jay B. Silveria | |
|---|---|
 U.S. Air Force photo, c. 2017 | |
| 20th Superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy | |
| In office August 11, 2017 – September 24, 2020 | |
| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Michelle D. Johnson |
| Succeeded by | Richard M. Clark |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Jay Benton Silveria[1] c. 1963 (age 60–61) Houston, Texas |
| Military career | |
| Nickname(s) | Tonto |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service |  United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1985–2020 |
| Rank |  Lieutenant General |
| Commands | Superintendent, USAF Academy United States Air Force Warfare Center 48th Fighter Wing 32d Air and Space Operations Center 492nd Fighter Squadron |
| Awards | Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal (2) Legion of Merit (4) Bronze Star Medal |
| Alma mater | |
Jay Benton Silveria (born c. 1963) is a retired lieutenant general in the United States Air Force (USAF). He was the twentieth superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy, serving from 2017 to 2020. His previous commands include deputy commander of the United States Air Forces Central Command, commander of the United States Air Force Warfare Center, and commander of 48th Fighter Wing. Rated as a command pilot, Silvera has more than 3,900 flying hours.[2][3]
In September 2017, Silveria received national acclaim for his speech to the cadet wing at Mitchell Hall.[4] Silveria admonished the cadet wing for an event which transpired at the Air Force Academy Preparatory School, where a preparatory school cadet candidate submitted accusations of racism.[5] Silveria's speech quickly garnered national attention, as he scolded the Air Force Academy cadet wing and demanded the "racists... to get out."[6] Shortly thereafter, however, the claimant at the Air Force Academy Preparatory School confessed that the event was a hoax.[7]
He has served as Executive Director of the Washington, D.C., branch of Texas A&M University’s Bush School of Government and Public Service since September 24, 2020.[8][9]
- ^ https://s3.amazonaws.com/usafayearbooks/1985.pdf [bare URL PDF]
- ^ "Lieutenant General Jay B. Silveria". United States Air Force. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
- ^ Riley, Rachel (11 August 2017). "Ceremony marks passing of the torch to new Air Force Academy superintendent". The Gazette. (Colorado Springs): Dan Steever. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
- ^ Wong, Herman; Chason, Rachel (29 September 2017). "Meet the Air Force general who delivered a powerful speech against racism". Washington Post. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
- ^ Frej, Willa (29 September 2017). "Head Of Air Force Academy Tells Cadets: 'You Should Be Outraged' By Racial Slurs". Huff Post. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
- ^ "Watch the Air Force Academy's top commander tell racists 'to get out'". We Are the Mighty. 31 March 2018. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
- ^ Frej, Willa (9 November 2017). "Air Force Academy Says Offensive Graffiti Was Fake, But Racism Is Real". Huff Post. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
- ^ "Jay Silveria". The Bush School of Government & Public Service. Retrieved 2023-11-26.
- ^ bushwebmaster (2020-09-24). "Jay B. Silveria Named Executive Director of the Bush School Washington, DC, Teaching Site". The Bush School of Government & Public Service. Retrieved 2023-11-26.