The Air Force Academy recognized outgoing Commandant Brig. Gen. Gavin Marks on Friday morning during a ceremony for his work over the last three years to reform military training.

“Gavin was key to resetting our warfighting culture,” said Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, the superintendent. 

The former commandant oversaw the introduction of new training, such as the Cadet Warfighter Instructor Course, focused on helping older cadets become instructors so they can lead lower-class cadets at the squadron level, he said. Last year, Green Berets taught the courses, the Air Force Academy said. 

Marks also retooled the academy’s promotion program, requiring cadets to meet benchmarks before they could reach the next cadet rank or commission and eliminated outdated training, Bauernfeind said.

The cadets’ growth was on full display during a spring exercise where they demonstrated planning, leadership and teamwork, he said. During the exercise, the Air Force Academy base represented a Japanese island where cadets had to defend airfields and rescue downed airmen. 

“He simply delivered excellence every single day,” he said. 

Both Marks and Bauernfeind are retiring from the Air Force this summer. The superintendent asked to retire early. 

Col. Brandon Tellez, senior executive officer to the Air Force vice chief of staff, took over for Marks during the ceremony. 

“As I look to the future, I am filled with enormous confidence that the wing will be in outstanding hands,” Marks said. 

The new commandant complimented the thousands of cadets he will lead in the coming years as they stood before him on Stillman Field.

“You guys look tough, and we need you to,” Tellez said, noting that professionals are needed to maintain global peace.