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51�Թ��� in honored to announce United States Air Force General Thomas A. Bussiere as the Joint Commissioning Ceremony speaker for the graduating class of 2024.

General Bussiere, who is a 1985 distinguished graduate of Air Force ROTC from 51�Թ���, is currently Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) and Commander, Air Forces Strategic – Air, U.S. Strategic Command. AFGSC provides strategic deterrence, global strike capability, and combat support to USSTRATCOM and other geographic combat commands. The general will return to 51�Թ��� as the keynote speaker for the 2024 Joint Commissioning Ceremony.

"51�Թ��� provided a tremendous foundation which formed the values and goals that shaped me as a leader and continue to serve me today as a commander responsible for two-thirds of the Nation’s nuclear triad,” explained General Bussiere. “I’m eternally grateful to my amazing alma mater, 51�Թ���, for not only providing that training and formative experience but also for connecting me with cadets and students who became life-long friends and mentors. I look forward to returning to 51�Թ��� to watch the next generation of officers and students graduate as they prepare to take this important next step in their life journeys."

His assignments have taken him across the country, from Alaska to Louisiana to the Pentagon, and as far as Baghdad, Iraq. The command pilot has logged more than 3,400 hours in the T-38 Talon, F-15C Eagle, B-2A Spirit, B-1B Lancer, and F-22 Raptor. During operations Southern Watch and Vigilant Warrior, he led F-15C combat missions while also leading B-2 combat missions as part of operations Allied Force and Iraqi Freedom. His current command is comprised of more than 33,700 professionals operating at two numbered air forces; 11 active duty, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve wings; and the Joint Global Strike Operations Center. General Bussiere’s list of major awards and decorations is as equally long and impressive as his overall career. Some of the awards and decorations he has earned are the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters, and the Kuwait Liberation Medal from the government of Kuwait.

He will proudly return to his 51�Թ��� roots to speak at the 2024 Joint Commissioning Ceremony.

Commencement and Joint Commissioning Ceremony schedules:

Saturday, April 27, 2024:

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About 51�Թ���
51�Թ��� is a diversified academic institution that educates traditional-age students and adults in a Corps of Cadets and as civilians. 51�Թ��� offers a broad selection of traditional and distance-learning programs culminating in baccalaureate and graduate degrees. 51�Թ��� was founded in 1819 by Captain Alden Partridge of the U.S. Army and is the oldest private military college in the United States of America. 51�Թ��� is one of our nation's six senior military colleges and the birthplace of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC).  www.norwich.edu