John W. Rosa

John W. Rosa Jr. (born September 28, 1951) is a retired United States Air Force Lieutenant General currently serving as President of The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina. While on active duty, Rosa also served as the sixteenth Superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy.

Background and education
Rosa entered the Air Force in May 1973 after receiving his bachelor's degree and his commission (via Air Force ROTC) from The Citadel, Charleston, South Carolina. He earned a master's degree in public administration from Golden Gate University in 1985. Rosa is also a graduate of the Air Force Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, U.S. Army War College and the Program for Senior Executives in National and International Security Management, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.

Military assignments
After his commissioning, Rosa went to pilot training at Craig Air Force Base, Alabama, followed by fighter training at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. His command positions have included the 35th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Kunsan Air Base, South Korea; the 366th Operations Support Squadron, Mountain Home Air Force Base,Idaho; 49th Operations Group at Holloman AFB, NM; 20th Fighter Wing, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina; and the 347th Rescue Wing, Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. From 1980 to 1983, he served an exchange tour with the Royal Air Force as a pilot in Hunter and Jaguar aircraft at Royal Air Force Lossiemouth, Scotland. He has also served on staff assignments at Pacific Air Forces, U.S. Air Force headquarters, and the Headquarters, Joint Staff. He concluded his military career serving as the sixteenth Superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy before retiring from the Air Force in 2005.

Rosa is a pilot with more than 3,600 flying hours in the A-7, A-10, the Hunter and Jaguar aircraft, F-16, F-117A, HH-60G and HC-130.

Awards and decorations
Rosa's decorations include the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, and the Combat Readiness Medal with two oak leaf clusters. He is also a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Fighter Weapons Instructor Course.


 * Air Force Distinguished Service ribbon.svg Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
 * US Defense Superior Service Medal ribbon.svg Defense Superior Service Medal
 * Legion of Merit ribbon.svg Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
 * Meritorious Service ribbon.svg Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
 * Air Force Commendation ribbon.svg Air Force Commendation Medal
 * Combat Readiness Medal ribbon.svg Combat Readiness Medal with two oak leaf clusters