View source for Jay B. Silveria

{{short description|US Air Force lieutenant general}}
{{Infobox officeholder
|honorific_prefix=[[Lieutenant General (United States)|Lieutenant General]]
|name= Jay B. Silveria
|image= Lt. Gen. Jay B. Silveria.jpg
|image_size = 230
|caption=U.S. Air Force photo, c. 2017
| order             = 20th
| title             = [[Superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy]]
| term_start        = August 11, 2017
| term_end          = September 24, 2020
| president         = Donald Trump
| predecessor       = [[Michelle D. Johnson]]
| successor         = [[Richard M. Clark]]
|birth_date=c. {{birth year and age|1963}}
|birth_name=Jay Benton Silveria<ref>https://s3.amazonaws.com/usafayearbooks/1985.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref>
|birth_place=[[Houston, Texas]]
|death_place=
|placeofburial=
| module            =
{{Infobox military person | embed=yes
|nickname=''[[Tonto]]''
|allegiance={{Flag|United States of America}}
|branch= {{air force|United States}}
|serviceyears=1985–2020
|rank= [[File:US-O9 insignia.svg|35px]] [[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lieutenant General]]
|commands=[[Superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy|Superintendent]], [[United States Air Force Academy|USAF Academy]]<br />[[United States Air Force Warfare Center]]<br />[[48th Fighter Wing]]<br />[[32d Air and Space Operations Center]]<br />[[492nd Fighter Squadron]]
|unit=
|battles=
|awards= [[Air Force Distinguished Service Medal]]<br />[[Defense Superior Service Medal]] (2)<br /> [[Legion of Merit]] (4)<br />[[Bronze Star Medal]]
| alma_mater = {{ubl | [[United States Air Force Academy]] ([[Bachelor of Science|BS]]) | [[Syracuse University]] ([[Master of Science|MS]]) }}
|laterwork=
}}
}}
'''Jay Benton Silveria''' (born c. 1963) is a retired [[Lieutenant general (United States)|lieutenant general]] in the [[United States Air Force]] (USAF). He&nbsp;was the twentieth [[Superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy|superintendent]] of the [[United States Air Force Academy|U.S. Air Force Academy]], serving from 2017 to 2020. His previous commands include<!-- serving as a--> 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 [[U.S. Air Force aeronautical rating#USAF rating requirements|command pilot]], Silvera has more than 3,900 flying hours.<ref name="USAFBIO">{{cite web | url = https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/108604/lieutenant-general-jay-b-silveria/ | title = Lieutenant General Jay B. Silveria| publisher = [[United States Air Force]] | access-date = 5 October 2020 }}</ref><ref name="Gazette">{{cite news | last = Riley | first = Rachel | title = Ceremony marks passing of the torch to new Air Force Academy superintendent | newspaper = [[The Gazette (Colorado Springs)|The Gazette]] | location = (Colorado Springs)| publisher = Dan Steever | date = 11 August 2017 | url = https://gazette.com/military/ceremony-marks-passing-of-the-torch-to-new-air-force/article_7764e5ed-10bf-5dfd-8b01-df3e79269b36.html | access-date = 24 August 2018}}</ref>
In September 2017, Silveria received national acclaim for his speech to the cadet wing at Mitchell Hall.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2017/09/29/meet-the-air-force-general-who-delivered-a-powerful-lesson-in-leadership/ |newspaper=Washington Post |last1=Wong |first1=Herman |last2=Chason |first2=Rachel |title=Meet the Air Force general who delivered a powerful speech against racism |date=29 September 2017 |access-date=9 September 2023}}</ref>
Silveria admonished the cadet wing for an event which transpired at the [[United States Air Force Academy Preparatory School|Air Force Academy Preparatory School]], where a preparatory school cadet candidate submitted accusations of racism.<ref name=huffingtonpost>{{cite news |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/air-force-academy-racial-slurs_n_59ce2313e4b05f005d339307 |work=Huff Post |last=Frej |first=Willa |title=Head Of Air Force Academy Tells Cadets: 'You Should Be Outraged' By Racial Slurs |date=29 September 2017 |access-date=7 October 2021}}</ref> Silveria's speech quickly garnered national attention, as he scolded the Air Force Academy cadet wing and demanded the "racists... to get out."<ref name=waearethemighty>{{cite news |url=https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-trending/watch-the-air-force-academys-top-commander-tell-racists-to-get-out/ |work=We Are the Mighty |title=Watch the Air Force Academy's top commander tell racists 'to get out' |date=31 March 2018 |access-date=7 October 2021}}</ref> Shortly thereafter, however, the claimant at the Air Force Academy Preparatory School confessed that the event was a hoax.<ref name=huffpost>{{cite news |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/air-force-graffiti-racism_n_5a04290ee4b0937b510fbc63 |work=Huff Post |last=Frej |first=Willa |title=Air Force Academy Says Offensive Graffiti Was Fake, But Racism Is Real |date=9 November 2017 |access-date=7 October 2021}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jay Silveria |url=https://bush.tamu.edu/silveria/ |access-date=2023-11-26 |website=The Bush School of Government & Public Service |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=bushwebmaster |date=2020-09-24 |title=Jay B. Silveria Named Executive Director of the Bush School Washington, DC, Teaching Site |url=https://bush.tamu.edu/news/dc/jay-b-silveria-named-executive-director-of-the-bush-school-washington-dc-teaching-site/ |access-date=2023-11-26 |website=The Bush School of Government & Public Service |language=en-US}}</ref>
On November 18, 2024, the Board of Trustees for the [[University of Arkansas System]] announced that Silveria would succeed Donald Bobbitt as the System’s president.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-18 |title=UA Board Chooses Lt. Gen. Jay B. Silveria as Next UA System President - University of Arkansas System |url=https://uasys.edu/news/ua-board-chooses-lt-gen-jay-b-silveria-as-next-ua-system-president/ |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=uasys.edu/ |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Education==
The son of a [[Master sergeant#United States|master sergeant]], Silveria is a 1981 graduate of [[RAF Lakenheath|Lakenheath]] American High School in [[England]],<ref name=strstrp>{{cite news |url=https://www.stripes.com/news/newest-stint-at-lakenheath-puts-col-silveria-in-charge-of-wing-1.83392 |work=Stars and Stripes |last=Ziezulewicz |first=Geoff |title=Newest stint at Lakenheath puts Col. Silveria in charge of wing |date=3 September 2008 |access-date=5 October 2020}}</ref> where he participated in soccer, baseball, forensics, drama, and the [[National Honor Society]]; he was voted "Most&nbsp;Talented" by his classmates.
Silveria earned a [[Bachelor of Science]] degree in&nbsp;1985 from the U.S. Air Force Academy in [[Colorado Springs, Colorado|Colorado Springs]], [[Colorado]]. In&nbsp;1997, he received a [[Master of Social Science]] degree from the [[Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs]] of [[Syracuse University]]. He later attended the [[National War College]] at [[Fort Lesley J. McNair]], in Washington, D.C., and graduated in 2005.<ref name="USAFBIO"/>
==Military career==
Throughout his military career, Silveria has held a number of positions in the USAF as a pilot and in command roles. He&nbsp;was promoted to [[First lieutenant#United States|first lieutenant]] in <!--29-->May 1987, and then [[Captain (United States O-3)|captain]] in 1989<!--29 May-->. He was an instructor pilot at [[Williams Air Force Base]], [[Arizona]], in the late 1980s, where he flew [[Cessna T-37 Tweet|Cessna T-37]] aircraft for the [[96th Flying Training Squadron]]. At the time, T-37s were a primary training aircraft for the USAF. Between 1991 and 1995, he served at [[Seymour Johnson Air Force Base|Seymour Johnson AFB]], [[North Carolina]], where he flew [[McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle|F-15E Strike Eagle]]s for the [[334th Fighter Squadron]], completing multiple deployments during [[Operation SOUTHERN WATCH]].
Along with a promotion to [[Major (United States)|major]] in 1997, Silveria assumed the position of ''[[aide-de-camp]]'' to the [[Supreme Allied Commander Europe]] and commander, [[United States European Command]], [[Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe]], in [[Mons, Belgium|Mons]], [[Belgium]]. He held this position until July 1999.<ref name="USAFBIO"/> Silveria was promoted to [[Lieutenant Colonel (United States)|lieutenant colonel]] in May 2000 while a student at the [[Air Command and Staff College]]. After graduating from the Air Command and Staff College in June 2000, Silveria was assigned to [[RAF Lakenheath]], England, from until July 2004. While there, he served as director of operations of the 48th Operations Support Squadron, as commander of the [[492nd Fighter Squadron]], and as deputy commander of the 48th Mission Support Group. Shortly after graduating from the [[National War College]] in 2005, Silveria was promoted to [[Colonel (United States)|colonel]]. He then served as the commander of the [[32d Air and Space Operations Center]] at [[Ramstein Air Base]], Germany, from June 2005 to January 2006, before returning to RAF Lakenheath in England to serve as vice commander of the [[48th Fighter Wing]] from January 2006 to July 2007. From July 2007 to August 2008, Silveria served as special assistant to the commander, [[United States European Command]], in [[Mons, Belgium|Mons]], Belgium. In August 2008, he took command of the 48th Fighter Wing, [[RAF Lakenheath]], England.
In July 2010, Silveria was assigned as inspector general, [[Air Combat Command]], at [[Langley Air Force Base]], Virginia. Shortly after, in September 2010, he was promoted to [[Brigadier General (United States)|brigadier general]]. From March 2012 to March 2013, Silveria served as director, Security Assistance in the Office of Security Cooperation-Iraq. From April 2013 to February 2014, he served as vice commander, [[14th Air Force]]. From February 2014 to April 2016, Silveria served as the commanding general of the [[United States Air Force Warfare Center]], [[Nellis AFB]], Nevada. He had been promoted to [[Major General (United States)|major general]] in June 2014. From April 2016 to May 2017, Silveria served as deputy commander, U.S. Air Forces Central Command and as deputy commander, Combined Air Force Component, U.S. Central Command. In August 2017, Silveria was promoted to [[Lieutenant General (United States)|lieutenant general]] and began serving in his final assignment as [[Superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy|Superintendent]] of the [[United States Air Force Academy|USAF Academy]]. Silveria retired from the United States Air Force on November 1, 2020, and Lieutenant General [[Richard M. Clark]] succeeded him as Superintendent.
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
{{Commons category}}
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{{s-military}}
{{s-bef|before=???}}
{{s-ttl|title=Vice Commander of the [[Fourteenth Air Force]]|years=2012–2014}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Steven D. Garland]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Jeffrey G. Lofgren]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Commander of the [[United States Air Force Warfare Center]]|years=2014–2016}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Glen D. VanHerck]]}}
{{s-bef|before=???}}
{{s-ttl|title=Deputy Commander of the [[United States Air Forces Central Command]]|years=2016–2017}}
{{s-aft|after=[[David S. Nahom]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Michelle D. Johnson]]}}
{{s-ttl|order=20th|title=[[Superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy]]|years=2017–2020}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Richard M. Clark]]}}
{{s-end}}
{{Portal|United States|Colorado|Education}}
{{USAFA}}
{{United States Air Force Academy superintendents}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Silveria, Jay}}
[[Category:United States Air Force Academy people]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Houston]]
[[Category:National War College alumni]]
[[Category:Superintendents of the United States Air Force Academy]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Air Medal]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1962 births]]
[[Category:Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs alumni]]