Stephen E. Slade: Air Force veteran, USU alumni

Gen. Stephen E. Slade was commissioned in 1993 through Utah State University’s Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program. He has served the nation for 31 years and progressed up the ranks, now acting as the mobilization assistant to the commander of space operations command at the Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado. 

“I actually started college with the goal of getting a commission into the United States Air Force,” Slade said.  

At the advice of his mom, who was an adviser for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at USU, he pursued an education in business and graduated with a degree in human resource management. 

“I’m a product of 1986,” Slade said. “In 1986, the number one movie was ‘Top Gun.’”  

Slade credits the popular American media franchise as the inspiration for his pursuit into the USAF.  

“I wanted to be a fighter pilot in the United States Air Force and go serve — that was my goal,” Slade said. “I had parents who taught me that if there is something you want, put your mind to it and go get it done.” 

As a reserve officer, Slade is on-call to reinforce and back up Lt. Gen. David N. Miller. Slade acts as a stunt-double for the commander, representing his interests to the United States Department of Air Force and the interest of the Air Force Reserve as a whole.  

“It’s always about constantly trying to figure out how to improve things and putting the nation’s interest above my own interests,” Slade said.  

The Space Operations Command provides space flight capabilities to the U.S. Armed Forces. They are the lead for force generation, which is the creation of formations that can support space operations for the warfighter. They are the United States Space Force service-force provider, meaning they provide all the capability to command and control satellites. They also assess real-time and future security needs by adapting technology. 

Slade said the USAF relies heavily on the commercial sector to complete space launches, something that has differed in the past but has helped increase the number of launches a year significantly.  

“We have partnered with the commercial industry to get more launch vehicles, and what they have come up with are these reusable launch platforms,” Slade said. “I can launch a satellite on a rocket and bring that rocket back, refurbish it and launch another satellite on that same rocket. In the past, it’s been a one-and-done. We have reduced the cost of space lift.”  

Slade credits the core values of the USAF as the accelerators of his career and character. 

“We follow our core values: integrity first, excellence in all we do and service before self,” Slade said. “Following those three values has gotten me to where I am today.” 

He often mentors officers in the military and said he uses some of the same principles he learned coming up through the ranks to teach.  

“The job doesn’t matter so much as does your attitude and how you execute the job you’re asked to do at the time,” Slade said. “Be the best person that has ever done that job. You can’t control how good the person was before you, you can’t control how the person in front of you is going to be, but you can control how you’re going to be. The most important job you have is the job you have right now.”  

Slade shared a quote that he keeps in his wallet and close to his heart: “Show up and pay attention. Look for opportunities to help, and when you have success, share the credit.”  

Slade emphasized the importance of humility and integrity without seeking accolades.  

“Keep your head down and keep grinding,” Slade said.  

USU campuses across the state will hold celebrations to honor those who have served in the Armed Forces. In Logan, the Veterans Resources Office is hosting events throughout November to honor Veterans Day, including a commemoration lunch at the TSC with Slade as a guest speaker. 

Melissa Duce, Veterans Integrated to Academic Leadership program leader in the VRO, shared the sentiments of veterans that miss the camaraderie service.  

“We’ve tried to replicate a family or community here in the VRO so that the veterans don’t feel like they’re the only one,” Duce said. “They can get to know other veterans and have shared experiences.” 

The VITAL program aims to support veterans in their educational and professional career through consulting, peer mentoring and advocacy. The program eases students through the transitions between military and university life.  

VITAL offers many services to veterans to support them in all aspects. Veterans can access and manage clinical care through the program, enroll in health benefits, meet with advisers and peer mentors and engage in a like-minded community.