Colonel Ned Stark

Colonel Ned Stark
Official portrait, c. 2018
Birth nameJason Bradford Lamb
Bornc. 1972 (age 52–53)
West Bloomfield, Michigan[1]
AllegianceUnited States
BranchUnited States Air Force
Years of service1995–2020
RankColonel
Commands544th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group
RelationsRowan Lamb (daughter)

Jason Bradford Lamb (born c. 1972), more widely known publicly by his pseudonym Colonel Ned Stark, is a retired United States Air Force colonel and master intelligence officer who gained prominence after writing a series of columns critical of the U.S. Air Force's commissioned officer promotion system, especially as it pertains to promotions to lieutenant colonel, colonel, and general officer, and the command leadership positions filled by incumbents of those ranks.[2][3][4] His writing became widely read that General David L. Goldfein, then the Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, wrote back in another column, offering him a job and assuring him that his critical writing is safe.[5][6]

He served for over 25 years in the U.S. Air Force, commissioning into the service after graduating from the United States Air Force Academy.[1] When writing the columns, he was the Director of Intelligence, Analysis, and Innovation at Headquarters, Air Education and Training Command. He has also commanded the 544th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group of the 70th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing[7][8] His personal decorations include multiple awards of the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and Meritorious Service Medal. He also completed multiple combat deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Before his retirement, he revealed his identity in May 2019, a year after starting to write his columns.[9][10][11] He now works as the United States Space Force's Talent Strategist and wrote the Guardian Ideal.

References

  1. ^ a b Polaris Yearbook 1995 (PDF). United States Air Force Academy. 1995. p. 418.
  2. ^ "A Call for Senior Officer Reform in the Air Force: An Insider's Perspective". War on the Rocks. May 14, 2018.
  3. ^ Stark', Col 'Ned (July 31, 2018). "Commentary: The Air Force is not designed to produce good leaders". Air Force Times.
  4. ^ "Promoting What We Value in the Air Force: Wouldn't That Be Nice?". War on the Rocks. September 10, 2018.
  5. ^ "The Air Force Chief Responds: Keep Writing, Col. 'Ned Stark,' and Join My Team". War on the Rocks. August 21, 2018.
  6. ^ "Goldfein reaches out to 'Ned Stark,' critic of Air Force promotion system". Stars and Stripes.
  7. ^ "544th ISRG gets new commander". Peterson Air Force Base.
  8. ^ Lamb, Col Jason (July 23, 2020). "Commentary: Farewell to 'Ned Stark'". Air Force Times.
  9. ^ Losey, Stephen (May 16, 2019). "'Ned Stark' unveiled: Colonel who wrote viral leadership columns has a challenge for the Air Force". Air Force Times.
  10. ^ "Mysterious "Col. Ned Stark" comes forward with true identity". April 29, 2020.
  11. ^ Losey, Stephen (May 28, 2019). "Col. Ned Stark on his provocative columns: 'I had no idea I was setting off a powderkeg'". Defense News.
Military offices
Preceded by
???
 Commander of the 544th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group
2016–2018 		Succeeded by


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