Lt Gen John W. Rosa, USAF

Class of 1973

Hometown: Jacksonville, Fl.

Distinguished Alumnus Photo

  • Rosa served as 19th President of The Citadel, 2006-2018. 
  • He served as Superintendent of the US Air Force Academy, 2003-2006
  • Rosa Previously served as Commandant, US Air Command and Staff College, and has held command at squadron, group and wing levels. As deputy director for operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington, D.C., Rosa led the National Military Command Center at the Pentagon when US troops were deployed to Afghanistan in 2002.  
  • Rosa served as a command 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.  His military awards include Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, and Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters.