The acting secretary of the Air Force has recommended that Brig. Gen. Johnny Weida, the commandant of cadets at the Air Force Academy, be promoted to major general.
Weida’s promotion was put on hold in August because the inspector general had not completed an investigation into whether Weida proselytized while on official duty. The inspector general cleared Weida last week.
“My assessment is that the circumstances have made an already exceptional officer even stronger and well-deserving of appointment as a major general,” Acting Air Force Secretary Pete Geren wrote in a memo to Sen. John Warner, R-Va., chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Weida declined to be interviewed Thursday. He issued a public apology in June.
Weida came to the academy in April 2003 to steer the academy out of a sexual-assault scandal. Earlier this year, he became a central figure in a controversy over perceived religious discrimination at the school.
Lt. Gen. John Rosa, superintendent of the academy, said in a written statement: “General Weida is an outstanding officer who has successfully helped lead our academy through some very tough times these past two years.”
Rob Boston, a spokesman for Americans United for Separation of Church and State, said the Air Force is not wasting any time trying to promote Weida.
“They seem determined to push this promotion through,” Boston said. “We’re not asking that he be dismissed. We’re only asking that he not be promoted in the middle of a controversy.”
Staff writer Erin Emery can be reached at 719-522-1360 or eemery@denverpost.com.
