Contact: Crystal Drake, Office of Strategic Communications
Celebrating an illustrious 39-year military career, Tuskegee University welcomed well-wishers to honor Brig. Gen. Terrence A. Adams upon his retirement which becomes official on July 1. The event at the University Chapel was his second retirement ceremony following an event on May 7 at the Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, D.C.
Earlier in the day Dr. Mark A. Brown, president and CEO, welcomed members of Adams’ family to campus, including his mother, Aretha Adams, who brought the retired general into the world on the very same campus in 1969 at what was once the John A. Andrew Memorial Hospital.
“No matter how far you travel, no matter how many places the great U.S. Air Force has sent you, there is something powerful about coming home,” said Dr. Brown.
He went on to say that having the second retirement ceremony in Tuskegee was not happenstance but something uniquely important. His journey is remarkable not only for its length and distinction, but also for how rare it is, said Dr Brown. Fewer than one percent of Americans serve in uniform at any given time, and only a small fraction of those who serve will ever commission as officers. From that already select group, only a tiny percentage rise to the rank of colonel, and only a fraction of one percent are selected as general officers. That General Adams began as an enlisted soldier and rose through every level to wear a star underscores just how extraordinary his achievement truly is.
“Some might ask ‘why come home or why do this again?’ he noted, adding that, in some ways, Adams desire to celebrate this achievement in Tuskegee reflects the meaning of the Triumphant Entry Biblical scripture in which Jesus returned to his home Jerusalem, humbly as a servant leader, riding a new colt not on a warhorse.
“It is hard to get a star on your shoulder and remain humble, but he has. As we retire this amazing officer, it makes perfect sense that he would come back here to his foundation.” Dr. Brown said to an audience which included several general officers and other members of the U.S. Air Force who count Adams as a respected colleague, mentor or friend.
From Brickyard Hill to Brigadier General
Adams was raised by his mother in the Tuskegee neighborhood known as Brickyard Hill. The community enriched his early years with a firm understanding of the legacy right under their feet – his ancestors were among the brick masons who used the community’s distinctive red clay soil to build bricks being used to create the buildings on Tuskegee’s campus, many of which still stand.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army as a private (E-1) after high school and after serving for six years, he enrolled at Auburn University at Montgomery and participated in a cross-town relationship with the ROTC program at Alabama State University, where he received a commission as an officer in the United States Air Force.
Adams is now the former Deputy Principal Cyber Advisor (DPCA) to the Secretary of War and Senior Military Advisor for Cyber Policy. As the DPCA, he served as the principal advisor to the Secretary on military cyber forces and activities. He was also responsible for assessing and overseeing the implementation of the cyber strategy of the Department and execution of the cyber posture review of the Department on behalf of the Secretary. On behalf of the Principal Cyber Advisor, Adams led a cross-functional team focused on synchronizing and coordinating military and civilian cyber forces and activities of the Department.
Prior to this position, the general was the Director, Cyberspace Operations and Warfighter Communications, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Cyber Effects Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia. He commanded six times at the squadron, group, and wing levels, three of these commands while deployed. Adams deployed to Seeb Air Base, Oman, Kirkuk AB, Iraq, Ali AB, Iraq, and Al Udeid AB, Qatar in support of operations Southern Watch, Iraq Freedom, Enduring Freedom, New Dawn, and Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa. He has held a variety of positions at squadron, group, wing, major command, air staff and joint levels.
Deep Tuskegee Roots
In addition to dozens of siblings, nieces, nephews and other family members, more than 20 schoolmates from his early education in Tuskegee were in attendance. The ceremony also included a performance of the Star-Spangled Banner by Dr. Catherine Gayle, Assistant Provost for Faculty Affairs and Development, who is Adams’ cousin.
“It’s remarkable to have so many people here,” said Adams. “I know the importance of time. It is the greatest resource – far beyond any value of money – that any of us have so I want to thank you all for showing up today. Your presence is the greatest gift,” he said.
Adams brought gifts of his own, too, beginning his remarks by handing out bouquets of flowers to people in the audience as he explained the unique role each had played in his life, from his Tuskegee roots through his vast military experiences, “pouring into my life thousands of times over.”
The ceremony also included remarks from the Mayor of Tuskegee, Christopher Lee and Nicole Cole, Delegate for Virginia’s 66th District, where Adams currently resides.
“First I want to express gratitude to Tuskegee, Alabama for sending such an awesome person to our great Commonwealth of Virginia,” said Cole as she read from Virginia House Resolution 2001 honoring Adams.
In his remarks, Mayor Lee recognized Adams’ extraordinary career and declared May 15 as Brig. Gen. Terrence A. Adams Day in Tuskegee.
“Certainly Brig. Gen. Adams will go down in history as one of the greatest leaders that Tuskegee have ever produced,” said Lee.
Remarking on how statistically unlikely it was for someone like him to rise from humble beginnings in Tuskegee to the elite status of general, Adams said that, to him, it felt like a natural progression coming from a city built on such important legacy.
“Tuskegee is a special place. You’re always surrounded by all this talent and history,” he said.
Adams also shared his intention to ensure that the next part of his journey begins after he’s allowed time for self-care. “I will be seeking rest and time for restoration, taking time to reintroduce myself to myself,” he said.
As the ceremony concluded, members of the audience eagerly filed down the aisles forming a line to shake the general’s hand, welcoming him into that next part of his remarkable journey.
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