A native of New Jersey, Rear Admiral Robert T. Clark is the son of a WW II Navy veteran and the grandson of a WW I Army veteran. After graduating from the University of Rhode Island with Bachelor of Science and Master degrees in Business Administration, he was commissioned through Aviation Officer Candidate School and designated a Naval Flight Officer. He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval War College, National Defense University’s Joint Forces Staff College, and National Security Space Institute. He has completed executive education at the Naval Postgraduate School, Harvard University, MIT Sloan School of Management and has been an International Security Fellow in Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Seminar XXI. He is a Joint Qualified Officer.

At sea, Clark has operated in every geographic combatant command region. He served as Mission Commander and Division Officer aboard Patrol Squadron 11 (VP 11); as Assistant Navigator and Officer of the Deck (Underway) aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70); and as Mission Commander, Department Head and Executive Officer aboard Patrol Squadron 92 (VP 92). He has supported Operations Desert Storm, Deny Flight, Sharp Guard, Maritime Guard, Sharp Edge, Southern Watch, Desert Fox, Caper Focus, Carib Shield, Vigilant Shield, Enduring Freedom and Unified Response.

Ashore, Clark served as a Flag Lieutenant in NAVEUR/U.S. SIXTH Fleet (COMFAIRMED/CTF-67/COMARAIRMED) and mobilized in support of a Deputy Secretary of Defense counter-terrorism mission. His command tours include leading teams supporting U.S. Forces Korea / United Nations Command / Combined Forces Command; U.S. Southern Command; Fleet Cyber Command / U.S. TENTH Fleet; and the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV N3/N5). His post command assignments include the staff of the Secretary of Defense in OSD Personnel and Readiness (Programming and Resources) and then as Deputy Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Reserve Component Command, Norfolk, supporting over 12,000 Sailors in 25 Navy Reserve Centers.

As a Flag Officer, Clark has served as Vice Commander, U.S. SEVENTH Fleet; Deputy Commander, Military Sealift Command; Deputy Director of Operations (J3) and Deputy Director of Strategic Plans, Policy and Logistics (J5/J4), United States Transportation Command. He is the current Chair of the Secretary of the Navy’s National Navy Reserve Policy Board. He previously served as Chair of the Navy Reserve Policy Board for Commander, Navy Reserve Force.

Clark is a recipient of the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (three awards), various unit, campaign, and service awards. He is proud to have served on teams that have received numerous unit commendations and four Battle Efficiency awards. He has logged over 3,000 flight hours in Navy aircraft and is a previous Association of Naval Aviation Reserve Naval Flight Officer of the Year.

Last Updated: 31 August 2023