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Mark A. Denton '97

"Our society demands leaders of character who are tested before they are tasked. ����ֱ���� is an institution committed to the next generation, instilling Norwich P.R.I.D.E. — Perseverance, Respect, Integrity, Discipline, and Excellence — into the heart of every student. It is the bedrock where character meets academic rigor to produce leaders capable of navigating the complexities of our nation’s future, whether in boots or in business. " 

BG Mark A. Denton '97, VSM

57th Commandant of Cadets and Vice President for Student Affairs

Mark A. Denton '97 serves as the 57th Commandant of Cadets and Vice President for Student Affairs. A retired U.S. Army colonel, he returned to campus in 2026 to assume his current duties where he oversees the campus experience and leadership development of all Norwich students. He holds the rank of brigadier general in the Vermont State Militia (VSM).

Biography

Born in Montego Bay, Jamaica, and raised in Milton, Massachusetts, BG Denton devoted 35 years of service to U.S. Army, from enlisted soldier to colonel. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve prior to enrolling at Norwich and later pursued his commission through ROTC at the University. During his undergraduate years, he distinguished himself as a student-athlete on the football team, hosted a morning show on Norwich’s 88.3 WNUB radio station, and served as president of the Harold “Doc” Martin Society. 

An accomplished Military Intelligence Officer, BG Denton served in leadership positions at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels of the Army, with six combat deployments and assignments spanning Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, and the greater Middle East. Throughout his career, he led complex intelligence operations and organizations in support of national security objectives around the globe. 

Among his most notable assignments was his service as Deputy Director of Intelligence for Special Operations Joint Task Force-Afghanistan, Battalion Commander of the 309th Military Intelligence Training Battalion overseeing U.S. Army counterintelligence and human intelligence training programs, and Brigade Commander of the 207th Military Intelligence Brigade in Vicenza, Italy. While in Italy, he directed intelligence operations and activities across 54 nations on the African continent, supporting U.S. and allied security interests throughout the region. 

He also helped educate and develop the next generation of senior military leaders as a faculty member at the U.S. Army War College. He concluded his military career in the Pentagon, serving as Senior Military Advisor and Executive Officer to the Under Secretary of the Army before later service as Executive Officer to the Deputy Under Secretary of the Army. 

His distinguished service has been recognized through numerous awards and decorations, including the Army Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Joint Service Achievement Medal with C device, Army Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Army Superior Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Afghanistan Campaign Medal Campaign Star, Iraq Campaign Medal Campaign Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and the Knowlton Award.

BG Denton and his wife, Teresa, a retired U.S. Army Captain, are proud parents of four children.