Photo By Tech. Sgt. Donald Hudson | Mark Blair holds a King Salmon he caught during a fishing trip near Kenai, Alaska....... read more read more
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40 years ago, Mark Blair raised his hand and became a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army, 26 years later he took off the uniform, but did not stop serving his country.
Starting in 1985 after graduating from Texas A&M University, Blair’s military career took him around the world in multiple roles starting as a field artillery officer, and eventually as a Japanese linguist in Civil Affairs before retiring as a colonel.
“I swore up and down I was not going to be one of those guys that became a GS employee,” Blair said. “I realized I really missed the comradery, the fellowship, and the relationships that miliary folk enjoy. I missed developing new leaders.”
During his military career Blair had been stationed in Alaska for 18 months, and knew he would return some day.
“I just fell in love with Alaska,” said Blair. “I love the hunting and fishing, and being from Texas I was proud to be in the largest state.”
In 2014 the position as the chief of plans, policy and programs at Alaskan Command opened and Blair was chosen to lead the section. After retiring from active duty, he returned to Alaska to continue his service to the country out of uniform.
Under Alaskan Command Blair was responsible for many of the planning efforts in the combined headquarters including for Alaskan NORAD Region, Homeland Defense, and Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA). He provided advice, council and a guiding hand in many of the written documents which maintain the doctrinal basis of who, what, when, why and how the military conducts itself in Alaska.
After 8 years Blair became the Alaskan Command director of training and exercises, and shifted from planning efforts to executing the concepts he had been responsible for creating in his previous role.
“It was a natural transition and very professionally rewarding going from developing the concepts and then being in charge of implanting those in an exercise scenario,” said Blair. “Testing, validating and proving the way the plans are written as feasible executable concepts for Homeland Defense and DSCA execution in Alaska.”
From serving both in and out of uniform Blair sees civilian service employees as an invaluable asset to the military. Providing continuity and historical context to military leaders and commanders who are in their duty locations for a short time compared to their civilian counterparts.
“The civil service has the opportunity to see a number of iterations. Commanders really need to hear about the history of how did we get where we are today,” said Blair. “Whether doctrine changes, capability or capacity increases, you’re able to get to solutions that you weren’t able to before.”
Blair has found his continued service rewarding, but civilian service to him is more than another opportunity to serve in the Department of Defense out of uniform.
“Many people think when you say civil service that it’s a DoD employee, but it’s not. It’s everything from working at the VA facility to a young kid doing AmeriCorps, and many state and federal agencies,” said Blair. “You’re serving the country and you’re serving your fellow citizens in a capacity that is dedicated to them. Civil service changes the effort to benefit the populous, to improve their lives, their capabilities, their capacities, and their opportunities.”
Blair has played a pivotal role in the continued progression of military forces in Alaska over the last decade but looking back his fondest moments are with the people he’s worked with and helped through their career.
“When the officers and noncommissioned officers reach back to me just to say, “Hey sir I really need your help, what do you think about A, B, or C?” That makes me proud because that shows you’ve had an impact on their lives,” said Blair. “They respect your opinion, knowledge or background and they want to continue to incorporate you into what they’re doing in the future.”
In the summer of 2025 Blair is set to retire for the final time from the DoD, but he is looking forward to seeing how the leaders he’s influenced continue to carry the torch.
“I want to see them demonstrate their ability to develop a vision and to accept and adapt to those increasing requirements as they promote,” Blair said. “And I’m going to enjoy watching them rise up in the ranks perhaps because of something I said to them or piece of advice that I gave them.”
When looking back at his 11 years of civilian service at Alaskan Command, Blair found a new perspective on the military he had not seen during his time in active duty, and attributes his new perspective to the fact civilian service positions normally stay at one location longer as opposed to active duty military who move on to a new duty station every few years.
“It seems like you always get the right people for the right job who are able to meet the requirements of the day,” said Blair. “Somehow, they take a look, and they do exactly what’s needed at the time in the headquarters.”
Blair looks forward to his future in retirement and only having to worry about where he’s fishing next and if there’s enough gas in the tank to get there. He is able to leave the DoD with an ease of mind due to his stated trust and confidence in the people, direction and capabilities of the institution he has spent the last 40 years dedicating his life to. He leaves with a sentiment that he finds encouraging to share with those taking up the reigns.
“Look to your left, look to the right, and together as a team you are going to do what needs to be done,” Blair said. “Everybody has value.”
| Date Taken: | 05.21.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 05.21.2025 17:58 |
| Story ID: | 498594 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, ALASKA, US |
| Web Views: | 26 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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