Dr. Erek Clacks, Major (ret) U.S. Army
Dr. Clacks Army career spanned the full spectrum of operational and staff assignments. He commanded from the platoon to company level. Prior to commissioning he served as a tank commander. Dr. Clacks began his military career on active duty at Fort Knox, Kentucky. His duty assignments consisted of: 1-64 Armor Battalion, Fort Stewart, GA, 3-11 Armor Cavalry, Bad Hersfeld, Germany with additional duty as an Air Assault Instructor, 1-32 Armor Battalion, Fort Hood, TX, and 2-32 Armor Battalion, Kirchgoens, Germany “The Rock.” He deployed in support of Operation Desert Shield/Storm in Iraq with the 1st Cavalry Division.
Dr. Clacks separated from active duty after being awarded a Reserve Officer Training Course (ROTC) scholarship. He graduated from Georgia Southern University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the US Army’s Adjutant General Corps. Dr. Clacks attended the Adjutant General Course at Fort Jackson, SC. His first assignment was with the 10th Soldier Support Battalion, Fort Drum, NY. His duty assignment culminated as a Commander.
Dr. Clacks was selected for promotion to Captain and returned to Fort Jackson, SC. to attend the Captain’s Career and Staff Officer Course. He then served at Fort Lewis, WA with I Corps as a Personnel Operations Officer supporting the Pacific Command in Thailand, Japan, Hawaii and Korea. Dr. Clacks follow on assignment was with the 444th Human Resource Company in Pittsburgh, PA. He served as the Operations Officer, Executive Officer and Commander. Dr. Clacks was also directly responsible for preparing over 1500 U.S. Army soldiers to support operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Following this assignment Dr. Clacks was selected for promotion to Major with duty at Fort Dix, New Jersey.
Dr. Clacks final duty assignment provided him with the opportunity to serve as the Chief of Programs and Services with the, 99th Regional Support Command headquartered at Fort Dix, NJ. He was responsible for providing human resource service and support to more than 46,000 Army Soldiers in 439 units located in 13 states: Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia.
Dr. Clacks continued is civilian education earning two Master’s Degrees; the first in History from Empire State College of New York, and his second in Education with a certification in secondary education from Robert Morris University in Moon Township, PA., and his terminal degree being a Doctorate in Education from Robert Morris University. Dr. Clacks continues to serve his country as the Trinity High School JROTC Senior Army Instructor.
Dr. Clacks military awards consist of: Meritorious Service Medal with one Oak Leaf cluster, Army Commendation Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Army Lapel Button, Southwest Asia Service Medal with 3 Bronze Service Star, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon 2nd award, Kuwait Liberation Medal, and the Air Assault Badge.
Dr. Clacks married the love of his life Katrina. They have two wonderful sons Nsiah and Dinari. Erek’s passion is supporting the growth and development of our nation’s future leaders.