SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. – Although retiring from military service next month, U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Peter Clarke plans to finish his 34-year career strong, continuing to advocate and educate others about U.S. Transportation Command’s importance in delivering America’s combat power around the clock and the world.
He has become a subject matter expert, while serving as USTRANSCOM’s 17th director of Strategic Plans, Policy, and Logistics (J5/J4) the past 23 months.
During that timeframe, Clarke led efforts to transform the joint force’s understanding of strategic mobility. He was also instrumental in shifting the command’s mindset from business to warfighting.
“Getting to that warfighting mindset took some time. It’s much better than it was before. It’s not about dollars and cents, but warfighting effectiveness,” stated Clarke. “For example, during the Turbo Challenge exercise last year, we had a few dedicated cells and small working groups operating 12 hours per day. With Turbo Challenge 2019, the command’s participation was more robust, supporting the event around the clock with comprehensive operational-planning teams.”
Some other milestones J5/J4 accomplished during Clarke’s tenure include development of the command strategy and campaign and operational planning; advocating for the urgent need to recapitalize the organic sealift fleet; and setting the conditions to support realignment of the Department of Defense’s relationship with the commercial household goods industry, someday leading to a global household goods contract.
Prior to joining USTRANSCOM, Clarke had limited knowledge of the command due to being a career submarine officer. He, however, desires for his particular experience to be the exception rather than the rule.
“We need more warfighters from the junior- and mid-grade levels (particularly Army, Navy, and Marine Corps) with an operations background to be brought into the command,” Clarke said. “This has been my first exposure to the command, and I’m a Navy line officer at the general-officer level.”
Before spearheading USTRANSCOM’s J5/J4, Clarke served as the 16th commander of Joint Task Force Guantanamo for 17 months. In addition, he commanded two other times, leading the USS Rhode Island and Submarine Squadron Two, Naval Submarine Base New London, Groton, Connecticut.
Upon retirement, Clarke plans to move to Florida, travel the world, and spend more time with his family.
But before then, he remains focused on advocating USTRANSCOM’s mission, strategic mobility, and for the people who ensure its warfighting readiness.
“There is an incredible amount of talented and experienced people in USTRANSCOM’s headquarters that do not get the credit outside of the command for the very important things they do to deploy and sustain the joint force,” stated Clarke. “It’ been an honor and privilege to be a part of this dedicated team, and it’s also been an incredibly rewarding professional experience to advance the future warfighting readiness of USTRANSCOM.”
USTRANSCOM conducts globally-integrated mobility operations, leads the broader Joint Deployment and Distribution Enterprise, and provides enabling capabilities in order to project and sustain the Joint Force in support of national objectives.
