Mark Welsh

{{Short description|American general and university administrator (born 1954)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2018}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Mark Welsh | image = Mark A. Welsh III 2012 (cropped).jpg | caption = Welsh as Chief of Staff of the Air Force in 2012 | alt = Headshot of a well-illuminated Walsh gazing towards the right | office = 27th President of Texas A&M University | term_start = July 21, 2023 | term_end = September 19, 2025{{efn|Welsh was the acting president from July 21, 2023<ref name="TAMUS">{{cite tweet|author=Texas A&M University System|author-link=Texas A&M University System|user=tamusystem|number=1682389904272007168|date=July 21, 2023|title=Chancellor Sharp has named Dean Mark A. Welsh III acting President of @TAMU after President M. Katherine Banks submitted a letter late Thursday announcing she would retire immediately: http://tx.ag/TAMU072123|access-date=July 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230722003808/https://twitter.com/tamusystem/status/1682389904272007168|archive-date=July 22, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> to July 30, 2023. He was the interim president from July 30, 2023<ref name=Interim>{{cite web|url=https://today.tamu.edu/2023/07/30/regents-name-mark-a-welsh-iii-as-interim-president-of-texas-am-university/|title=Regents Name Mark A. Welsh III as Interim President of Texas A&M University|date=July 30, 2023|website=Texas A&M Today|access-date=July 30, 2023}}</ref> until he was named the 27th president of Texas A&M University on December 12, 2023.<ref name=27thPresident>{{cite web|url=https://today.tamu.edu/2023/12/12/welsh-named-27th-president-of-texas-am/|title=Former Air Force Chief Of Staff Mark A. Welsh III Named 27th President Of Texas A&M|date=December 12, 2023|website=Texas A&M Today|access-date=December 12, 2023}}</ref> Welsh submitted his resignation as president on September 18, 2025, and his final day as president was September 19, 2025.<ref name=Lozano>{{cite web|last=Lozano|first=Juan A.|url=https://apnews.com/article/texas-am-university-resignation-mark-welsh-dei-lgbtq-gender-identity-02a5baa0c355174824630ef9c7cfe083|title=Texas A&M president steps down but doesn't say if controversial classroom video was a factor|website=Associated Press|date=September 19, 2025}}</ref>}} | predecessor = M. Katherine Banks | successor = James Hallmark {{small| (acting)}} | office1 = Dean of the Bush School of Government and Public Service | term_start1 = August 15, 2016 | term_end1 = July 20, 2023 | predecessor1 = Ryan Crocker | successor1 = Frank Ashley {{small| (acting)}} | office2 = 20th Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force | president2 = Barack Obama | term_start2 = 10 August 2012 | term_end2 = 24 June 2016 | predecessor2 = Norton A. Schwartz | successor2 = David L. Goldfein | birth_name = Mark Anthony Welsh III | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1954|1|26}} | birth_place = San Antonio, Texas, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | spouse = Betty | children = 4 | education = United States Air Force Academy (BS) Webster University (MS) {{Infobox person | embed = yes | callsign = "Boomer"<ref>{{cite web |first=Robert F. |last=Dorr |url=https://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/new-air-force-chief-of-staff-nominee-brings-proven-performance-to-new-job |title=Gen. Mark Welsh, Air Force Chief of Staff Nominee, Brings 'Proven Performance' to New Job |date=May 11, 2012 |website=Defense Media Network, Faircount Media Group |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022222135/https://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/new-air-force-chief-of-staff-nominee-brings-proven-performance-to-new-job/| archive-date=October 22, 2021}}</ref>}} | allegiance = United States | branch = United States Air Force | service_years = 1976–2016 | rank = General | commands = Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force | battles = Gulf War War on terrorism | mawards = Defense Distinguished Service Medal (3) Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (2) Defense Superior Service Medal (2) Legion of Merit (2) Distinguished Flying Cross (2) Meritorious Service Medal (3) Air Medal (2) ''Full list'' }} '''Mark Anthony Welsh III''' (born January 26, 1954)<ref name="AFReg1979">{{cite book |date=January 1, 1979 |page=902 |title=Air Force Register |location=Washington, D.C.|publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |url=https://archive.org/0/items/airforceregister1979wash/airforceregister1979wash.pdf}}</ref> is a retired United States Air Force four-star general<ref name=27thPresident/> and a member of the board of directors of Northrop Grumman.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.northropgrumman.com/who-we-are/leadership|title=Company Leadership|website=Northrop Grumman}}</ref> He was the 27th president of Texas A&M University, and is a former dean of its Bush School of Government & Public Service.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gutteridge |first=Nicholas |url=https://www.thebatt.com/news/frank-b-ashley-iii-appointed-as-acting-dean-of-the-bush-school/article_74f28e0e-36f3-11ee-b8a3-e7df114df6d9.html |title=Frank B. Ashley III appointed as acting dean of the Bush School |date=August 9, 2023 |newspaper=The Battalion |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230820223357/https://www.thebatt.com/news/frank-b-ashley-iii-appointed-as-acting-dean-of-the-bush-school/article_74f28e0e-36f3-11ee-b8a3-e7df114df6d9.html |archive-date=August 20, 2023 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Welsh was appointed by Barack Obama to serve as Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, and was a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Welsh was the commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe, the associate director for Military Affairs of the Central Intelligence Agency, and the vice commander of Air Education and Training Command. In his early career, he served as a fighter pilot (primarily flying the F-16 and A-10 aircraft) and was a commander at the squadron, group, and wing level, in addition to assignments in training, operations, intelligence, and acquisitions. He was also the commandant of cadets of the United States Air Force Academy.

==Early life and education== He was born in San Antonio, Texas,<ref name="USAFBio"/> as the son of Mark Anthony Welsh Jr., a veteran of World War II.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fox26houston.com/news/texas-am-president-mark-a-welsh-iii-former-air-force-general|title=Texas A&M names former Air Force General Mark A. Welsh III president of university|publisher=KRIV|date=December 12, 2023}}</ref> Welsh attended Wentworth Military College in the early 1970s.<ref>{{cite news|last=Amick|first=Jeremy|url=https://www.fultonsun.com/news/2016/nov/21/wentworth-military-academy/|date=November 21, 2016|publication-place=Fulton, Missouri|newspaper=Fulton Sun|title=Wentworth Military Academy}}</ref> He graduated from the United States Air Force Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1976<ref name="USAFBio"/> and entered the Air Force.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://lonestarflight.org/hall-of-fame/mark-a-welsh-iii/|title=Mark A. Welsh III|website=Lone Star Flight Museum}}</ref> He graduated from the Air Command and Staff College in 1986 and graduated from Webster University with a master's degree in computer resource management in 1987.<ref name="USAFBio"/><ref name=NG>{{Cite web|title=Northrop Grumman Elects Mark A. Welsh III to its Board of Directors|url=https://news.northropgrumman.com/news/releases/northrop-grumman-elects-mark-a-welsh-iii-to-its-board-of-directors|access-date=October 18, 2021|website=Northrop Grumman Newsroom|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170711192942/https://news.northropgrumman.com/news/releases/northrop-grumman-elects-mark-a-welsh-iii-to-its-board-of-directors|archive-date=July 11, 2017}}</ref> After obtaining his master's from Webster University, he graduated from the Army Command and General Staff College, the Air War College and the National War College. Welsh's other academic engagements include Seminar XXI at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1995 Fellow), National Securities Studies Program at Syracuse University and Johns Hopkins University (1998 Fellow), Ukrainian Securities Studies at John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University (1999 Fellow), and the General Management Program at Harvard Business School (2002).<ref name="USAFBio"/>

==Military career== Welsh's military career culminated in achieving the rank of general (four stars) and serving as the Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He was appointed by President Barack Obama in May 2012, testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee in July 2012 and was confirmed shortly thereafter by the United States Senate.<ref name="USAFBio">{{cite web|title=General Mark A. Welsh III |url=https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/104966/general-mark-a-welsh-iii|website=United States Air Force|access-date=May 8, 2014}}</ref> Welsh completed the customary four-year term for a "service chief," retiring in July 2016 after more than 40 years of military service.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=About the Service Chiefs|url=https://www.jcs.mil/About|website=Joint Chiefs of Staff|quote=The Service Chiefs serve for 4 years.}}</ref>

During his tenure as a service chief, Welsh "wore two hats" as is customary for the role. As the chief of a military service, he was the senior-ranking uniformed officer within the service, responsible for the organizing, training and equipping of over 600,000 Air Force personnel, as well as related budgeting and planning functions, liaison with other services and agencies, and interaction with legislators and policymakers. Separately, as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he offered advice to the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the National Security Council.<ref name=":0"/>

Prior to his final assignment in Washington, Welsh served as the 34th Commander, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Commander, Allied Air Command Ramstein, Germany, and Director, Joint Air Power Competence Center at Kalkar, Germany. He was responsible for Air Force activities in an area of operations covering almost one-fifth of the globe. This area includes 51 countries in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, and the Arctic and Atlantic oceans with a total population reaching nearly one billion people speaking more than 80 languages. He also had administrative control of the Air Force elements providing support, logistics and resources to U.S. Africa Command.<ref name="USAFBio"/>

Welsh previously served as associate director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) for Military Support and associate director for Military Affairs, Central Intelligence Agency, Washington, D.C. As the ADMA, he served as the principal advisor to the Director of the CIA on military matters and was the primary bridge between the CIA and the Department of Defense for the coordination and planning of military and interagency operations. Additionally, he assisted in the formulation of CIA policies regarding military affairs, managed the provision of direct support to deployed forces, and oversaw the Director of CIA representation at the combatant commands and senior service schools.

Prior to his role at the CIA, Welsh served as the Vice Commander of Air Education and Training Command, a major command of the Air Force responsible for the provision of training and professional education throughout the organization, comprising over 60,000 educators, researchers and related personnel across 12 major installations (schools).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Air Education and Training Command|url=https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104471/air-education-and-training-command|website=United States Air Force}}</ref> [[File:James A. Cody presents the Order of the Sword to Mark A. Welsh III.jpg|thumb|Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody, right, presents the Order of the Sword to Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, left, April 22, 2016. The Order of the Sword is the highest honor the enlisted corps can bestow to an individual. (U.S. Air Force photo/Scott M. Ash)]] In earlier portions of his military career, Welsh was rated as a command pilot with extensive flying experience in fighter aircraft including the F-16 and the A-10. As an active fighter pilot, he was selected for command positions at the squadron, group and wing level, before progressing into more senior leadership roles.<ref name="USAFBio"/>

== Civilian career == ===Dean of the Bush School=== [[File:Defense.gov photo essay 120810-D-TT977-035.jpg|thumb|Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta speaks with Air Force Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and his wife, Betty, at the ceremony where Welsh was sworn in as the 20th Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, Joint Base Andrews, MD, Aug. 10, 2012. Department of Defense Image 120810-D-TT977-035. (U.S. Navy photo/Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley)]] Following his retirement from the military in 2016, Welsh was appointed dean of the Bush School of Government & Public Service at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. He was recommended to fill the position by the president, Michael K. Young, provost and vice president, Karan L. Watson, and a search advisory committee. Welsh succeeded the former Bush School Dean, Ryan Crocker.<ref>{{cite web|last=Henton|first=Lesley|url=https://bush.tamu.edu/news/general-mark-a-welsh-iii-appointed-dean-of-the-bush-school|title=General Mark A. Welsh Appointed Dean Of The Bush School|website=Bush School of Government & Public Service|date=May 26, 2016|access-date=May 16, 2024}}</ref> Frank B. Ashley III was appointed acting dean of the school in August 2023 after Welsh became president of the university.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://today.tamu.edu/2024/06/06/veteran-national-intelligence-expert-appointed-dean-of-bush-school|title=Veteran National Intelligence Expert Appointed Dean Of Bush School Of Government And Public Service|website=Texas A&M Today|date=June 6, 2024}}</ref>

===Northrop Grumman=== On December 8, 2016, Northrop Grumman announced that it elected Welsh to its board of directors.<ref name=NG/>

===President of Texas A&M University=== On July 21, 2023, Welsh was named acting president of Texas A&M University by Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp following the resignation of M. Katherine Banks.<ref name="TAMUS"/><ref name=two>{{Cite news|last=McGee|first=Kate|date=July 21, 2023|title=Texas A&M President Katherine Banks resigns amid fallout from failed hiring of journalism professor |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2023/07/21/tamu-president-resign-journalism|access-date=July 21, 2023|newspaper=The Texas Tribune}}</ref> Sharp also recommended for Welsh to continue as interim president until a search could be made to find Banks’ successor.<ref name=ANM>{{cite web|url=https://today.tamu.edu/2023/07/21/texas-am-president-kathy-banks-to-retire-immediately/|title=Texas A&M President Kathy Banks to Retire Immediately|date=July 21, 2023|access-date=July 21, 2023|website=Texas A&M Today|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721144615/https://today.tamu.edu/2023/07/21/texas-am-president-kathy-banks-to-retire-immediately/|archive-date=July 21, 2023}}</ref> He was named the interim president by the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents on July 30, 2023.<ref name=Interim/>

In his first official communication to students and faculty, Welsh made an indirect reference to the events surrounding the resignation of the previous president, which had involved the mishandled hiring of the journalism professor Kathleen McElroy:<ref name=two/><blockquote>[L]iving up to our core values is an ongoing commitment, as even esteemed institutions like ours must consistently confront and resolve challenges to uphold our status as a great university. Just to be clear on where I stand, I believe diversity in all its forms is a strength. I believe every Aggie must have a voice, that each of you is critically important to our success and that you deserve to be treated with respect. I think you also believe those things.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://president.tamu.edu/messages/a-message-from-acting-president-mark-a-welsh.html|website= Texas A&M University Office of the President|title=A Message from Acting President Mark A. Welsh III|date=July 26, 2023|access-date=July 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230726233248/https://president.tamu.edu/messages/a-message-from-acting-president-mark-a-welsh.html|archive-date=July 26, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref></blockquote>

On November 17, 2023, Welsh was named the sole finalist for the position of President of Texas A&M University.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://today.tamu.edu/2023/11/17/mark-welsh-named-sole-finalist-for-texas-am-university-president/|title=Mark Welsh Named Sole Finalist For Texas A&M University President|date=November 17, 2023|website=Texas A&M Today|accessdate=December 9, 2023}}</ref> He was unanimously approved by the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents as the 27th president on December 12, 2023.<ref name=27thPresident/><ref>{{cite news|last=McGee|first=Kate|url=https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2023/12/12/former-air-force-boss-mark-welsh-officially-named-head-of-texas-am|title=Former Air Force boss Mark Welsh officially named head of Texas A&M|date=December 12, 2023|website=Air Force Times}}</ref>

==== September 2025 class video and resignation ==== In early September 2025, an unnamed Texas A&M University student was videotaped presenting an argument to professor Melissa McCoul, an English professor in a children's literature class, who was teaching. The student remarked "I'm not entirely sure this is legal to be teaching because according to our president, there's only two genders and he said he would be freezing agencies' funding programs that promote gender ideology. And this also very much goes against, not only myself but a lot of people's religious beliefs". A voice, believed to be the professor, says, "If you are uncomfortable in this class you do have the right to leave".<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Mizelle |first1=Shawna |last2=Myers |first2=Doug |date=September 18, 2025|title=Texas A&M president resigning following backlash over video of gender identity discussion in classroom|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/texas-am-president-mark-welsh-resigns-political-backlash/ |website=CBS News}}</ref> The video was posted online by Brian Harrison, a member of the Texas House of Representatives. Harrison's posts also included undated audio recordings reportedly between the student and Welsh, in which the student told Welsh the professor should be fired and Welsh responded, "Well, that's not happening."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Priest |first=Jessica |date=September 9, 2025|title=Video of clash over gender-identity content in Texas A&M children's lit class leads to firings |url=https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-donald-trump-es-texas-colleges-and-universities-u-s-department-of-justice-d154530ab7ac13ffc97e4dcce72c0e1b |access-date=September 17, 2025|website=Associated Press}}</ref>

Welsh terminated McCoul's employment<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Montoya|last2=Cahn|first1=Robert|first2=Adam|date=September 9, 2025|title=Pressure Builds for Ousting A&M President After LGBT Class Controversy |url=https://texasscorecard.com/state/pressure-builds-for-ousting-am-president-after-lgbt-class-controversy/ |access-date=September 10, 2025|website=Texas Scorecard}}</ref> and later directed Mark Zoran, the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and Emily Johansen, the head of the English department, to be removed with support from Texas A&M University System Chancellor Glenn Hegar.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ketterer |first=Samantha |date=September 9, 2025 |title=Texas A&M faces scrutiny after student protests gender lesson in class|url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/education/article/texas-am-indoctrination-video-21037744.php |website=Houston Chronicle}}</ref> He stated:<blockquote>I learned this afternoon that key leaders in the College of Arts and Sciences approved plans to continue teaching course content that was not consistent with the course’s published description. As a result, I directed the provost to remove the dean and department head from their administrative positions, effective immediately. Our students use the published information in the course catalog to make important decisions about the courses they take in pursuit of their degrees. If we allow different course content to be taught from what is advertised, we let our students down. When it comes to our academic offerings, we must keep our word to our students and to the state of Texas.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Surette |first=Rusty |date=2025-09-09 |title=A&M Dean removed following student complaints over curriculum |url=https://www.kbtx.com/2025/09/09/am-dean-professor-removed-following-student-complaints-over-curriculum|website=KBTX-TV}}</ref></blockquote> Harmeet Dhillon, the United States Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the Department of Justice stated that the department would conduct an investigation into the situation.<ref name=":2"/>

Welsh submitted his resignation as president of Texas A&M University on September 18, 2025,<ref>{{cite news|first=Jessica|last=Priest|url=https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/18/texas-am-university-president-mark-welsh-resigns|title=Texas A&M President Mark A. Welsh III to step down after a week of turmoil over viral classroom video |newspaper=The Texas Tribune|date=September 18, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Jessica |last=Priest |url=https://www.tpr.org/news/2025-09-18/texas-a-m-president-mark-a-welsh-iii-to-step-down-after-a-week-of-turmoil-over-viral-classroom-video |title=Texas A&M President Mark A. Welsh III to step down after a week of turmoil over viral classroom video |website=Texas Public Radio|date=September 18, 2025 |access-date=September 21, 2025}}</ref> which took in effect the following day. His final day as president was September 19, 2025.<ref name=Lozano/> Two faculty committees subsequently found that McCoul's firing violated her academic freedom, was not based on an investigation, and did not follow university dismissal rules.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Priest |first=Jessica |date=2025-11-11 |title=Texas A&M panel: Firing violated professor's academic freedom |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2025/11/10/texas-am-mccoul-firing-academic-freedom-council/ |access-date=2025-12-04 |website=The Texas Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Priest |first=Jessica |date=2025-11-22 |title=Faculty panel says Texas A&M wrongly fired professor |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2025/11/22/texas-am-professor-fired-faculty-panel-ruling/ |access-date=2025-12-04 |website=The Texas Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Personal life== Welsh has four children with his wife Betty. Welsh has said that although he did not attend Texas A&M, he has a decades-long affinity for the university due to his father, children and various other family members attending the university, and considers himself an Aggie by association.<ref name="III&IV" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name="QNA">{{cite web|last=Henton|first=Leslie|url=https://today.tamu.edu/2016/09/15/qa-new-bush-school-dean-mark-welsh/|title=Q&A: New Bush School Dean Mark Welsh|date=September 15, 2016|website=Texas A&M Today|access-date=July 30, 2023}}</ref> In a keynote address at the on-campus Muster ceremony in 2022, Welsh provided elaborate detail regarding his affinity for the school, expounding on comments previously made in a Texas A&M Today interview and in other venues.<ref name="QNA" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Campus Muster Ceremony Keynote Address |url=https://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/markwelshaggiemuster.htm|website=American Rhetoric}}</ref>

His father, Mark A. Welsh Jr., was a member of the Texas A&M Class of 1946<ref name="III&IV">{{cite web|last=Atchley|first=Samantha|url=https://www.12thmanfoundation.com/donor-impact/stories/mark-welsh/index.html|title=Mark Welsh III & Mark Welsh IV '01|website=12th Man Foundation|access-date=July 30, 2023}}</ref> and left the campus (along with most of his classmates) to serve overseas in World War II before returning to complete his degree.

In addition to the connections of his father and children, Welsh said 5 of his siblings and 4 of his nieces and nephews attended the university.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{cite news|last=Robles-Ramirez|first=Irene|title=Women's Golf to Host Mo-Morial |date=September 19, 2022 |url=https://www.thebatt.com/sports/women-s-golf-to-host-mo-morial-invitational-beginning-tuesday/article_9e0e1152-387d-11ed-a353-9fb45a80b4f1.html|newspaper=The Battalion|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816010705/https://www.thebatt.com/sports/women-s-golf-to-host-mo-morial-invitational-beginning-tuesday/article_9e0e1152-387d-11ed-a353-9fb45a80b4f1.html|archive-date=August 16, 2023|url-status=dead}}</ref> on the university's golf team. After graduating, she worked in professional golf before she died in an accident in 1992.<ref name="III&IV" />

==Awards and decorations== {| style="width:100%;" |- | valign="top" | {| class="wikitable" |- style="background:#ccf; text-align:center;" | colspan="2" |'''Personal decorations''' |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Defense Distinguished Service ribbon|width=60}}14px14px |Defense Distinguished Service Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters |- |{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|name=Air Force Distinguished Service ribbon|width=60}} |Air Force Distinguished Service Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster |- |{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|name=US Defense Superior Service Medal ribbon|width=60}} |Defense Superior Service Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster |- |{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|name=Legion of Merit ribbon|width=60}} |Legion of Merit with bronze oak leaf cluster |- |{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|name=Distinguished Flying Cross ribbon|width=60}} |Distinguished Flying Cross with bronze oak leaf cluster |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Meritorious Service ribbon|width=60}}14px14px |Meritorious Service Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters |- |{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|name=Air Medal ribbon|width=60}} |Air Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Aerial Achievement Medal ribbon|width=60}} |Aerial Achievement Medal |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Joint Service Commendation ribbon|width=60}} |Joint Service Commendation Medal |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Air Force Commendation ribbon|width=60}} |Air Force Commendation Medal |- style="background:#ccf; text-align:center;" | colspan="2" |'''Unit awards''' |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Joint Meritorious Unit Award-3d|width=60}} |Joint Meritorious Unit Award |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Outstanding Unit ribbon|width=60}}14px14px14px |Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with three bronze oak leaf clusters |- |{{ribbon devices|number=5|type=oak|name=Organizational Excellence ribbon|width=60}} |Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with one silver oak leaf cluster |- style="background:#ccf; text-align:center;" | colspan="2" |'''Service Awards''' |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Combat Readiness Medal ribbon|width=60}}14px14px |Combat Readiness Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters |- style="background:#ccf; text-align:center;" | colspan="2" |'''Campaign and service medals''' |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|name=National Defense Service Medal ribbon|width=60}}11px11px |National Defense Service Medal with two bronze service stars |- |{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|name=Southwest Asia Service Medal ribbon (1991–2016)|width=60}} |Southwest Asia Service Medal with bronze service star |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Global War on Terrorism Service ribbon|width=60}} |Global War on Terrorism Service Medal |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Korea Defense Service ribbon|width=60}} |Korea Defense Service Medal |- style="background:#ccf; text-align:center;" | colspan="2" |'''Service, training, and marksmanship awards''' |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Air Force Overseas Short Tour Service Ribbon|width=60}} |Air Force Overseas Short Tour Service Ribbon |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon|width=60}}14px14px |Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon with two bronze oak leaf clusters |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Air Force Longevity Service ribbon|width=60}}14px14px14px14px |Air Force Longevity Service Award with one silver and three bronze oak leaf clusters |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Air Force Longevity Service ribbon|width=60}} |Air Force Longevity Service Award ''(second ribbon to denote tenth award)'' |- |{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|name=USAF Marksmanship ribbon|width=60}} |Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with bronze service star |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|name=Air Force Training Ribbon|width=60}} |Air Force Training Ribbon |- style="background:#ccf; text-align:center;" | colspan="2" |'''Foreign awards''' |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Legion Honneur Chevalier ribbon.svg|width=60}} |Legion of Honour, Knight (France) |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=SICOFAA Legion of Merit Grand Cross.png|width=60}} |SICOFAA Legion of Merit, Grand Cross<ref>{{cite web |title=El Libro Cronológico del Sistema de Cooperación entre las Fuerzas Aéreas Americanas|volume=2 |url=https://31949e00-e3c5-4ff1-aab2-4636f2971829.filesusr.com/ugd/72ee95_9db1e533d3884e79b8ce791e774101be.pdf |publisher=SICOFAA |access-date=6 March 2020|year=2015 |page=37|language=es}}</ref> |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) ribbon.svg|width=60}} |Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) ribbon.svg|width=60}} |Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) |} | valign="top" | {| class="wikitable" |- style="background:#ccf; text-align:center;" | colspan="2" |'''Other accoutrements''' |- | align="center" |130px |Command Air Force Pilot Badge |- | align="center" |90px |Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge |- | align="center" |80px |Headquarters Air Force Badge |} |}

{| |} *In 2016, Welsh was named an honorary Tuskegee Airman. Also in 2016, on April 22, Welsh was inducted into the Order of the Sword, the highest honor bestowed on an officer by the Air Force enlisted corps.

==Effective dates of promotion== 50px United States Air Force Academy Cadet – Class of 1976 {{USAF DOR O-10|June 2, 1976<ref name="AFReg1979" />|June 2, 1978<ref name="AFReg1979" />|June 2, 1980|May 1, 1985|June 1, 1989|Feb. 1, 1994|Aug. 1, 2000|Aug. 1, 2003| Dec. 9, 2008|Dec. 13, 2010}}

==References== {{Notelist}}

{{Reflist}}http://www.airn.nato.int/ {{USGovernment|url=http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=7550|agency=United States Air Force}}

==External links== {{commons category|Mark A. Welsh III}} *{{YouTube|hFBpxB5zgnY|Speech at the U.S. Air Force Academy, November 1, 2011}} * {{cite web |url= https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/743692/enlisted-corps-bestows-highest-honor-upon-welsh/ |last1=Culbert|first1=Alexa|title=Enlisted corps bestows highest honor upon Welsh|work=Air Force |date=April 27, 2016|publisher=Air Force News Service|access-date=April 29, 2016}} *{{C-SPAN|66583}}

{{s-start}} {{s-aca}} {{succession box | before=M. Katherine Banks | title=President of Texas A&M University | after=Dr. James Hallmark (acting) | years=2023–2025 }} {{succession box | before=Ryan Crocker | title=Dean of the Bush School of Government & Public Service | after=Frank B. Ashley III (acting) | years=2016–2023 }} {{s-mil}} {{s-bef|before=Norton Schwartz}} {{s-ttl|title=Chief of Staff of the Air Force|years=2012–2016}} {{s-aft|after=David L. Goldfein}} {{s-bef|before=Roger Brady}} {{s-ttl|title=Commander of United States Air Forces in Europe|years=2010–2012}} {{s-aft|after=Philip Breedlove}} {{s-bef|before=Stephen R. Lorenz}} {{s-ttl|title=Commandant of Cadets of the United States Air Force Academy |years=1999–2001}} {{s-aft|after=S. Taco Gilbert III}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Welsh, Mark A.}} Category:1953 births Category:Harvard Kennedy School alumni Category:Living people Category:Recipients of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Category:Recipients of the Air Medal Category:Recipients of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal Category:Recipients of the Defense Superior Service Medal Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States) Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit Category:United States Air Force Academy alumni Category:United States Air Force generals Category:Chiefs of staff of the United States Air Force Category:Webster University alumni Category:Wentworth Military Academy and College alumni Category:Presidents of Texas A&M University Category:Texas A&M University faculty Category:Heads of universities and colleges in the United States