Maj. Gen. H. Stacy Clardy III of Pawleys Island, who is a 34-year veteran, said he is honored to be nominated to serve in the administration of President Donald Trump.
Clardy, who currently serves as deputy director for force management, application and support, J8, was recently notified that he is being considered for the rank of lieutenant general and an assignment as military deputy for readiness to the Under Secretary of Defense for personnel and readiness, who serves Defense Secretary James Mattis.
“I’m flattered that the President and secretary of defense think I can be of use within the administration,” he said. “I am glad to continue to give everything I have to serve my country.”
He explained that with this promotion, he would be moving up in rank from a two-star general to a three-star general. That means he would be one of the top 20 in the country since there are 15 three-star generals and four four-star generals. He expects to hear the final decision about the promotion after a Senate vote in the next few of weeks.
Clardy said his responsibilities as military deputy for readiness to the under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness would include supporting ongoing military operations around the world and making sure there are enough troops and equipment to make those operations successful.
“I would help keep track of where we have forces deployed, where we need improvements, where there are shortfalls and what we need to do to ensure readiness of force from the office of the secretary of defense level,” Clardy said.
Clardy grew up in Georgetown and Pawleys Island. He currently lives in Springfield, Virginia, to be close to the Pentagon, but said this area will always be his home.
“This is still home for me and the foundation for my character and values stems directly from here,” he said. “I come back to Pawleys to recharge my batteries because it is relaxing, the food is great and people here are the nicest I’ve found around the world.”
Clardy is the grandson of the late Judge Herman Stacy Clardy and the son of Herman Stacy Clardy Jr., a retired Navy officer. Clardy and his wife, Alison, who is a retired , have three daughters.
He said he would recommend that young people pursue a career in the military or any other career that will allow them to serve the country.
“There are plenty of ways they can serve their country, he said. “They can work for the fire department or police department locally, serve in government or volunteer for the Coast Guard to protect our shores.”
He said, of course, he is partial to the Corps.
“If they have shown good character and good values, then they could certainly have the opportunity to serve in the Corps if they want to serve the country,” Clardy said. “I’d be happy to serve with them.”
According to his biography on the Joint Chiefs of Staff website, Clardy was commissioned on May 13, 1983, after graduating from the University of South Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He has a master’s degree in management from Troy State University and a master’s degree in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College.
Clardy’s command positions include platoon commander with 3d Battalion, 4th Regiment and company commander in 2d Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion. He commanded 3d Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion in operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom and 2d Regiment and Regimental Combat Team 2 during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
As a general, he served as the commanding general of Air Ground Task Force Training Command, Corps Air Ground Combat Center and the 3d Division.
Clardy served in multiple leadership and staff positions throughout his career. He was a tactics instructor at The Basic School and Infantry Officer Course, the officer instructor at Tulane University, and the community relations branch head for the Division of Public Affairs, Headquarters Corps.
He served as the operations officer of 24th Expeditionary Unit (special operations capable) participating in Operation Joint Guardian and as the community policy, planning and liaison officer for Corps bases, Japan. He was also the director for the Expeditionary Warfare School and the director of operations for the Plans, Policies and Operations Department of Headquarters, .
