Ralph Clem
Ralph S. Clem | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service | United States Air Force |
| Rank | Major General |
Ralph Scott Clem (born October 9, 1943)[1] is a Florida International University professor, geographer, author, decorated U.S.A.F. General (Retired) and Russian specialist.
Major General Clem served as the mobilization assistant at the U.S. Air Force Headquarters in Washington, D.C. to the Chief of the Air Force Reserve in addition to holding several other high ranking, military-intelligence positions in the USAF.
His career in the military began in 1965. His Air Force service commenced after he finished San Diego State College as a distinguished military graduate of the Reserve Officer Training Corps program. He held the position of special agent at the Office of Special Investigations, has acted as Chief of Intelligence for three flying units with the USAF Reserve, and also worked as a strategic air analyst and senior intelligence staff officer on behalf of the NSA[2] He also served as a navigator/co-pilot on fighters and has logged thousands of hours on a variety of fixed-wing aircraft.
Dr. Clem has held several civilian jobs subsequent to his military service. In addition to being a major professor and prior chair of the Department of International Relations at Florida International University, he also headed the Center for Transnational and Comparative Studies.
While he is generally known for his Russian-focused research, his areas of expertise include economics and population studies and the Ukraine. Dr. Clem maintains fluency in Russian and has been recognized for his distinguished service in education and within the military and intelligence communities. Also he studies Electoral geography of Russia
Books
General Clem has authored scholarly articles and several books which focus on Russian economic and military topics. In the field of Russian studies he is an acknowledged expert and still continues to do consulting work.
Some of his works include:
- Soviet West: Interplay Between Nationality and Social Organization. Praeger Special Studies in International Politics and Government. ISBN 0275098400
- Research Guide to Russian and Soviet Censuses (Studies in Soviet History and Society). ISBN 0801418380
- Urban-rural voting differences in Russian Elections, 1995-1996: A rayon level analysis. ASIN: B0006QUV48
- The Russian Parliamentary Elections of 1995: The Battle for the Duma. ISBN 0765600846
- Spatial Patterns of Political Choice in the Post-Yeltsin Era: The Electoral Geography of Russia's 2000 Presidential Election.[3]
- The End of Eurasia: Russia on the Border Between Geopolitics and Globalization.[4]
Education
Dr. Clem's intense geographical study-focus paved the way towards distinctive graduation with a Ph.D. from Columbia University and subsequently more specialized research while serving in the military at Maxwell Air Force base:
- 1965 B.A. Geography - San Diego State College
- 1972 M.A. Geography & Soviet studies - Columbia University
- 1976 Ph.D. Geography & Soviet studies - Columbia University - Graduated with distinction - Columbia University
- 1987 Air Command and Staff College - Maxwell Air Force Base
- 1989 Combined Air Warfare Course - Maxwell Air Force Base
- 1989 Air War College - Maxwell Air Force Base[5]
Open source military & intelligence assignments
- Special Agent - Office of Special Investigations
- Supervising Case Officer - Office of Special Investigations, Washington, D.C.
- Chief of Intelligence - 915th Airborne Early Warning and Control Group
- Chief of Intelligence - 93rd Tactical Fighter Squadron
- Chief of Intelligence - 482nd Tactical Fighter Wing
- Intelligence Staff Officer/Senior Strategic Air Operations Analyst - Office of Military Forces - NSA
- Mobilization Assistant to the Assistant Deputy Director for Operations - National Security Agency
- Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, Headquarters Air Intelligence Agency
- Deputy to the Chief of the Air Force Reserve - Headquarters USAF
- Mobilization Assistant to the Commander - Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command - The Pentagon
- Mobilization Assistant to the Chief of the Air Force Reserve - Headquarters USAF D.C.[6]
Major military awards & decorations
- Defense Superior Service Medal
- Defense Meritorious Service Medal
- Joint Service Achievement Medal
- Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
- Legion of Merit
- Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
- National Defense Service Medal with bronze star
- Air Force Achievement Medal
- Vietnam Service Medal with bronze star
- Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal[7]
Educational awards & recognition
- Fellow of the Kennan Institute of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
- Fellow of the Harriman Institute at Columbia University
- Ryder Corporation Excellence in Teaching Award
- Professional Excellence Award (State University System of Florida)[8]
Grants
- National Council for Russian and East European Research
- U.S. Department of State
- John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
- U.S. Department of Education