Professor of Aerospace Studies (PAS)
Col Dayton
Col Dayton
Colonel W.R. Alan Dayton
Col Alan Dayton serves as the Commander and Professor of Aerospace Studies of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps, Detachment 157 for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Bethune-Cookman University, Daytona State College, Stetson University and the University of Central Florida - Daytona Beach Campus. Colonel Dayton is responsible to the Universities and AFROTC for recruiting, training, and educating Air Force officer candidates. He instructs courses in leadership, national security, and air power history. He is responsible for who is accepted, trained, and ultimately commissioned as Second Lieutenants in the United States Air Force and Space Force.
Col Dayton is a distinguished graduate of AFROTC at North Carolina State University. He has multiple operational deployments, flying combat and combat support missions in Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Iraq. He served as an undergraduate navigator training instructor and an Air Force Presidential Advance Agent. He also served as the command electronic warfare officer for both III Corps Artillery and II Marine Expeditionary Force in Iraq. Following an Air Officer Commanding tour at the U.S. Air Force Academy, he commanded the 82d Reconnaissance Squadron employing reconnaissance aircraft throughout the Pacific Theater.
Col Dayton served in a variety of staff assignments, to include the Joint Staff and Air Combat Command, and deployed as the Joint Air Component Coordination Element for Operation INHERENT RESOLVE. Prior to his current position, he commanded the 55th Mission Support Group where he led over 1,670 personnel supporting 7.5M square feet of facilities valued at $9 billion dollars.
The group provided mobility processing to over 3,000 deployed personnel per year and services to 57,000 active duty, dependent and retired personnel.
Education
- 1995: Bachelor of Arts, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N.C.
- 1998: Command and Control Warfare Course, NAS Pensacola, Fla.
- 2001: Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
- 2007 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
- 2007 IDE Master of Arts in Counseling and Leadership, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
- 2012 Air War College, by correspondence
- 2012 Joint Air Operations Planning Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
- 2017 SDE Air Force Fellow, Center for Strategic and International Studies, Washington D.C.
- 2018 Joint and Combined Warfighting School, Joint Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Va.
Assignments
- September 1995-August 1996, Student, Joint Specialized Undergraduate Navigator Training, Randolph AFB, TX & NAS Pensacola, Fla.
- August 1996-November 1996, Student, Joint Aviation Electronic Warfare School, Corry Station, Fla.
- December 1996-December 2001, RC-135 EWO, Instructor & Evaluator, 343d Reconnaissance Sq & 45th Reconnaissance Sq, Offutt AFB, Neb.
- December 2001-December 2004, T-43 Navigator/EWO Instructor, Stan/Eval Chief, Asst. Director of Ops, 563d Flying Training Sq, Randolph AFB, Texas, and Command EWO, III Corps Artillery, Baghdad, Iraq
- January 2005-May 2006, Command EWO, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, NC, Al Anbar Province, Iraq, & Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Task Force, Pentagon, Washington D.C.
- June 2006-May 2007, Student, Intermediate Development Education, Colorado Springs, Colo.
- May 2007-June 2009, Air Officer Commanding, Cadet Squadron 11, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo.
- June 2009-November 2013, Commander & Director of Ops, 82d Reconnaissance Sq, Kadena AB, JA
- November 2013-July 2016, Branch Chief, Joint Staff, J-8 Directorate, Pentagon, Washington D.C.
- July 2016-June 2017, Air Force Fellow, Center for Strategic and International Studies, Washington D.C.
- June 2017-June 2019, Division Chief, HQ Air Combat Command, A589, JB Langley-Eustis, VA & Joint Air Component Coordination Element, SOJTF-Op INHERENT RESOLVE, Camp Arifjan, Kuwait
- July 2019-July 2021, Commander, 55th Mission Support Group, Offutt AFB, Neb.
- July 2021- Present, Commander, AFROTC Detachment 157, Embry-Riddle Aero Univ, Fla.
Summary of Joint Assignments
- January 2005-May 2006, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C., as a Major
- November 2013-July 2016, Joint Staff, J-8, Pentagon, Washington D.C., as a Lieutenant Colonel
Flight Information
- Rating: Master Navigator
- Flight Hours: 2,800+
- Aircraft Flown: RC-135V/W RIVET JOINT, RC-135U COMBAT SENT, T-43A, T-37, T-39, EA-6B
Major Awards and Decorations
- Legion of Merit Medal
- Bronze Star Medal
- Defense Meritorious Service Medal
- Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
- Aerial Achievement Medal with five oak leaf clusters
- Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
- Joint Service Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
- Combat Readiness Medal with oak leaf cluster
- 19 AF Electronic Warfare Instructor of the Year, 2002
- AETC Instructor of the Year, 2002
- AETC Information Officer of the Year, 2004
Effective Dates of Promotion
- Second Lieutenant - May 1995
- First Lieutenant - July 1997
- Captain - July 1999
- Major - December 2005
- Lieutenant Colonel - October 2010
- Colonel - January 2017
(Current as of July 2021)
Director of Staff
Lt Col Hollingsworth
Lt Col Hollingsworth
Lieutenant Colonel Michael J. Hollingsworth
Lieutenant Colonel Michael J. Hollingsworth is the Director of Staff and Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies for Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps, Detachment 157 encompassing Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Bethune-Cookman University, Daytona State College, Stetson University and the University of Central Florida - Daytona Beach Campus. Lt. Col. Hollingsworth manages a staff of 12 active-duty officers and non-commissioned officers, and is responsible for recruiting, training and educating Air Force officer candidates for a commission in the United States Air Force and Space Force.
Lt. Col. Hollingsworth graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Science. He was commissioned in 2002 from the Air Force’s Officer Training School. His career includes a variety of duties spanning conventional and strategic operations, intelligence collection, exploitation and dissemination, squadron-level flying operations and Special Operations. His deployments include participation in Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and Inherent Resolve, as well as 12 contingency special operations across the Middle East and North Africa. Prior to his current position, Lt. Col. Hollingsworth was Chief of the Operations Training Branch and Senior Intelligence Staff Trainer for the Joint Collective Training Division, U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill AFB, Florida.
Lt. Col. Hollingsworth is also a non-rated Aircrew Member with nearly 800 flight hours on the E-4B aircraft.
Education
- 2001 - Bachelor of Science, Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla.
- 2003 - Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
- 2008 - Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
- 2010 - Air Command and Staff College
- 2010 - Masters of Arts, Terrorism Studies, American Military University, Manassas, Va.
- 2018 - Joint Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Va.
Assignments
- November 2001-March 2002, Officer Trainee, Officer Training School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
- March 2002-January 2003, Student, Intelligence Officer Technical Training, Goodfellow AFB, Texas
- January 2003-September 2003, Chief of Targets Intelligence, 2d Operations Support Sq, Barksdale AFB, La.
- September 2003-June 2006, Chief of Intelligence, 20th Bomb Squadron, Barksdale AFB, La.
- June 2006-June 2008, Chief of Cross Domain Configuration Management, Air Force Command and Control, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Center, Langley AFB, Va.
- June 2008-June 2008, Flight Commander, DGS-1 Analysis and Reporting Flight, Distributed Ground Station-1, Langley AFB, Va.
- June 2008-May 2013, Intelligence Plans Officer, Joint Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, N.C.
- May 2013-June 2014, Senior Intelligence Officer, 724th Special Tactics Group, Pope AAF, N.C.
- June 2014-July 2015, Director of Operations, 724th Intelligence Squadron, Pope AAF, N.C.
- July 2015-August 2018, Director of Intelligence, National Airborne Operations Center, Offutt, AFB, Neb.
- August 2018-August 2021, Intelligence Staff Trainer, US Special Operations Command, MacDill AFB, Fla.
- August 2021-Present, Director of Staff, Air Force ROTC Detachment 157, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla.
Summary of Joint Assignments
- July 2008-July 2013, Intelligence Plans Officer, Joint Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, N.C., as a Major
- July 2015-August 2018, Director of Intelligence, National Airborne Operations Center, Offutt AFB, Neb., as a Lieutenant Colonel
- August 2018-Present, Intelligence Staff Trainer, U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill AFB, Fla., as a Lieutenant Colonel
Major Awards and Decorations
- Bronze Star with one oak leaf cluster
- Defense Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
- Aerial Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters
- Joint Service Commendation Medal
- Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters Joint Service Achievement Medal
- Air Force Achievement Medal
Effective Dates of Promotion
- Second Lieutenant - March 1, 2002
- First Lieutenant - March 2, 2004
- Captain - March 1, 2006
- Major - Feb. 1, 2012
- Lieutenant Colonel - Dec. 1, 2017
(Current as of May 2023)
Assistant Professors of Aerospace Studies
Maj Niez
Maj Niez
Major Joseph R. Niez
Major Joseph Niez is an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment 157, Daytona Beach, Florida. He is responsible for leading, recruiting, counseling, and evaluating 480 highly qualified men and women as Air and Space Force officer candidates. Additionally, he instructs a curriculum covering the foundations of the United States Air Force, History, Leadership and National Security Affairs.
Maj. Niez graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in Research Meteorology, earning his commission through the Reserve Officer Training Corp Program and later earning his navigator wings in 2013 from Pensacola Naval Air Station, Florida. He has served in various assignments as an evaluator weapons system officer with more than 1,770 hours in the B-52H. Of note, he deployed supporting Operation Inherent Resolve and Operation Freedom Sentinel, and accrued over 400 combat hours, striking over 140 targets. He was the lead Weapons System Officer for a combat operation that directly led to the safe recovery of two American civilians in danger of imminent capture by ISIL forces in Syria. His actions led to the recognition of his aircraft commander by the Chief of Staff of the Air Force for the 2017 Portraits in Courage award.
Maj. Niez was first assigned to the 96th Bomb Squadron, where he took charge of squadron cyber security and equipment, maintaining over $700,000 worth of mission-essential material. He participated in the 2014 Bomber Assurance and Deterrence contingency deployment marking the return of B-52H presence in EUCOM since 2006. Maj. Niez later transitioned to the 20th Bomb Squadron revamping the weapons and tactics section. He deployed to INDOPACOM, served as expeditionary squadron head Liaison Officer to Pacific Air Forces, and then later returned to PACAF for an assignment to the 613 Air Operations Center, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Maj. Niez excelled in leading dynamic target execution for theater operations, earning recognition for superior performance as the top 5% of all participants during numerous joint exercises displaying USINDOPACOM warfighting capabilities.
Education
- 2011 - Bachelor of Science, Research Meteorology, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla.
- 2013 - Undergraduate Combat Systems Officer Training, Pensacola Naval Air Station, Fla.
- 2014 - B-52H Initial Qualification Training, Barksdale Air Force Base, La.
- 2019 - Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
- 2019 - Strategic Deterrence Basic Course, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
- 2020 - Masters of Science, Engineering Management Technology, Louisiana Tech, Ruston, La.
- 2020 - Joint Air Operations Planning Course, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala
- 2021 - Graduate Certificate, Nuclear Weapons Effects, Policy, and Proliferation, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio
- 2021 - Joint Firepower Course, Mobile Training Team, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
Assignments
- January 2012-June 2013, Student Combat Systems Operator, T–6/T–1, Pensacola Naval Air Station, Fla.
- June 2013-April 2014, Student, B-52 Initial Qualification Training, Barksdale Air Force Base, La.
- April 2014-October 2015, B-52 Weapons Systems Officer, Cyber Equipment and Security Officer, 96th Bomb Squadron, Barksdale AFB, La.
- October 2015-October 2016, Instructor Weapons Systems Officer, Deputy Chief of Safety, 96th Bomb Squadron, Barksdale AFB, La.
- October 2016-November 2017, Instructor Weapons Systems Officer, Chief of Safety, 96th Bomb Squadron, Barksdale AFB, La.
- November 2017-November 2018, Evaluator Weapons Systems Officer, Weapons and Tactics Officer, 20th Bomb Squadron, Barksdale AFB, La.
- November 2018-July 2020, Evaluator Weapons Systems Officer, Team Chief Nuclear Plans and Exercises, 2nd Operations Support Squadron, Barksdale AFB, La.
- July 2020-Present, Deputy Chief, Offensive Operations, Combat Operations Division, 613th Air Operations Center, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii
Flight Information
- Rating: Senior Navigator
- Flight Hours: More than 1,700
- Aircraft Flown: B-52H
Major Awards and Decorations
- Air Medal
- Aerial Achievement Medal
- Air Force Commendation Medal
- Air Force Achievement Medal
- Meritorious Unit Award
- Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with six oak leaf clusters
- Operation Inherent Resolve Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
- Combat Readiness Medal with one oak leaf cluster
- National Defense Service Medal
- Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
- Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal with “N” devise
Effective Dates of Promotion
- Second Lieutenant - Dec. 26, 2011
- First Lieutenant - Dec. 26, 2013
- Captain - Dec. 26, 2015
- Major - April 1, 2023
(Current as of September 2023)
Capt Fultz
Capt Fultz
Captain Wayne A. Fultz
Capt Wayne Fultz is an assistant professor of Aerospace Studies at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment 157, Daytona Beach, Florida. He is responsible for leading, recruiting, counseling and evaluating 457 highly qualified men and women as prospective Air and Space Force officers. Additionally, he instructs a curriculum covering foundations of the United States Air Force, History, Leadership and National Security Affairs.
Capt Wayne Fultz is a native of California. He originally enlisted as a Security Forces Airman in 2002, and in 2016, earned his commission as Distinguished Graduate through the Air Force Officer Training School at Maxwell AFB, AL. As an enlisted member, he served in a myriad of positions at the tactical and operational level within Security Forces. Prior to this assignment, Capt Fultz was the Operations Officer, 790th Missile Security Forces Squadron, Francis E. Warren AFB, Wyoming. He was responsible for leading 250 Security Forces personnel securing 165 Nuclear Restricted Areas valued at over three billion dollars entailing a 9,600 square mile area of operation. He is married to the former Ms. Sarah Davis. Together, they have three children: Alan, Kyley and Aden.
Education
- 2005 - Airmen Leadership School, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.
- 2008 - Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice, CCAF, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
- 2008 - Bachelor of Science in Organizational Security and Management, University of Phoenix, Ariz.
- 2011 - Noncommissioned Officers Academy, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. (Levitow Award)
- 2013 - Master of Science in Criminal Justice, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
- 2015 - Senior Noncommissioned Officers Academy, Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, Ala.
- 2016 - Officer Training School, Maxwell Air Force Base (Distinguished Graduate)
- 2021 - Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base
Assignments
- April 2003-April 2004, Response Force Leader, 790th Missile Security Forces Squadron, F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo.
- April 2004-April 2005, Response Force Leader, 51st Security Forces Squadron, Osan AB, Republic of Korea
- April 2005-June 2008, Desk Sergeant, 96th Security Forces Squadron, Eglin AFB, Fla.
- Aug. 2007-March 2008, Desk Sergeant, 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, Southwest Asia
- June 2008-Sept. 2010, Flight Chief, 790th Missile Security Forces Squadron, F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo.
- October 2010-June 2012, NCOIC, Keys & Codes Control Center, 90th Security Support Squadron, F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo.
- June 2012-October 2012, NCOIC, Convoy Response Force, 790th Missile Security Forces Squadron, F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo.
- November 2012-July 2016, Manager, Force Protection Test Program, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center Detachment 2, Eglin AFB, Fla.
- July 2016-September 2016, Student, Officer Training School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
- September 2016-March 2017, Student, 532nd Training Squadron, Vandenberg AFB, Calif.
- March 2017-September 2019, Operations Officer, 47th Security Forces Squadron, Laughlin AFB, Texas
- Oct. 2019-September 2020, Officer in charge of Plans and Programs, & Antiterrorism Officer, 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, Southwest Asia
- September 2020-July 2022, Operations Officer, 790th Missile Security Forces Squadron, F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo.
- July 2022-Present, Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Univ, ROTC Det 157, Daytona Beach, FL
Major Awards and Decorations
- Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
- Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf cluster
- Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
- National Defense Service Medal
- Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
- Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
- Korean Defense Service Medal
- Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal with "N" Device and two oak leaf clusters
Effective Dates of Promotion
- Airman First Class - April 10, 2003
- Senior Airman - Feb. 10, 2005
- Staff Sergeant - July 1, 2006
- Technical Sergeant - July 1, 2009
- Master Sergeant, July 1, 2012
- Senior Master Sergeant (S) - March 1, 2016
- Second Lieutenant - Sept. 9, 2016
- First Lieutenant - Sept. 9, 2018
- Captain - Sept. 9, 2020
(Current as of July 2022)
Capt Vickers
Capt Vickers
Captain Ryan M. Vickers
Capt Ryan M. Vickers is an assistant professor of Aerospace Studies, Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment 157, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Florida. He is responsible for the recruitment, training and instruction of 457 highly qualified prospective Air Force and Space Force Officers. Capt Vickers is also leading the curriculum development for the foundational education requirements for the United States Space Force.
Capt Vickers is a 2015 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science. He then went on to graduate from Liberty University, where he earned a Master of Arts in Human Services Counseling with a concentration on Executive Leadership. Capt Vickers served in the Air Force from May 2015 until September 2020 and then transferred into the Space Force. He has served as an instructor and evaluator on multiple space weapon systems at multiple squadrons. Prior to his current position, Capt Vickers was Chief of the Mission Planning Cell at Space Delta 3, Peterson Space Force Base, Colo., where he conducted operational planning for the Space Force’s Electromagnetic Warfare weapon systems to support theater and Combatant Command operations.
Capt Vickers deployed to the 609 Air Operations Center, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar as the Theater Space Planner and Space Electromagnetic Warfare Planner. He supported Operation SPARTAN SHIELD, Operation INHERENT RESOLVE, Operation RESOLUTE SUPPORT and Operation JUNIPER SHIELD.
Education
- 2015 - Bachelor of Science in Political Science, United States Air Force Academy, Colo.
- 2018 - Master of Arts in Human Services Counseling, Liberty University, Va.
- 2021 - Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
Assignments
- May 2015-July 2019, Chief, Standardizations and Evaluations, 1st Space Operations Squadron, Schriever SFB, Colo.
- July 2019 –Jan. 2021, Chief of Training, 4th Space Control Squadron, Peterson SFB, Colo. (June 2020-Oct 2020, Theater Space Planner, 609 AOC, Al Udeid, AB, Qatar)
- Jan. 2021-Sept. 2021, Flight Commander, Weapons and Tactics, 3rd Combat Training Squadron, Peterson SFB, Colo.
- Sept. 2021-June 2022, Chief, Mission Planning Cell, Space Delta 3, Peterson SFB, Colo.
- June 2022-Present, Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies, AFROTC Detachment 157, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla.
Major Awards and Decorations
- Meritorious Service Medal
- Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
- Air Force Achievement Medal
Effective Dates of Promotion
- Second Lieutenant - May 28, 2015
- First Lieutenant - May 28, 2017
- Captain - May 28, 2019
(Current as of July 2022)
Maj Vella
Maj Vella
Major Christopher E. Vella
Major Vella currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida. Major Vella is charged with educating and leading a cadet wing of over 400 prospective Air Force officers.
Major Vella previously served as a Mission Manager overseeing the integration and operations of a portfolio of intelligence satellite launches for the Office of Space Launch at the National Reconnaissance Office in Chantilly, Virginia. Major Vella also served as the Chief of Advanced Systems for the National Reconnaissance Office at the Aerospace Data Facility – East (ADF-E) in Fort Belvoir, Virginia. His responsibilities included assisting the ADF-E Commander in the strategic and technical operations of the NRO. Major Vella also served as an Executive Officer for the Military Satellite Communications Systems Directorate, Los Angeles AFB, California. In that role, Major Vella directed front office operations and organizational development activities for the U.S. Air Force’s largest satellite communications development organization. Major Vella also served as the Lead Advanced Extremely High-Frequency Program Integrator where he was responsible for managing technical, financial and contractual operations to optimize the execution of a $700M annual budget, as well as the cost, schedule and performance of a $150M annual portfolio of capability enhancement projects, directly supplying urgent warfighter needs. He also served as Mission Support Flight Commander and Program Manager where he managed the budget and training operations flight of the 17th Test Squadron at Schriever AFB, Colorado.
Major Vella received his Masters of Business Administration from Baruch College in New York, New York in 2012. He was commissioned in 2013 through Officer Training School at Maxwell AFB, Montgomery, Alabama.
Education
- 2005 - Bachelor of Science degree in History, Queens College-CUNY, Flushing, N.Y.
- 2012 - Masters of Business Administration, Baruch College-CUNY, New York, N.Y.
- 2013 - Officer Training School, Maxwell AFB, Montgomery, Ala.
- 2017 - Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Montgomery, Ala.
Assignments
- August 2013-August 2015, Program Manager, 17th Test Squadron, Schriever AFB, Colo.
- August 2015-August 2016, Flight Commander, 17th Test Squadron, Schriever AFB, Colo.
- August 2016-September 2018, Lead AEHF Program Integrator, Military Satellite Communications Systems Directorate, Los Angeles AFB, Calif.
- September 2018-August 2019, Executive Officer, Military Satellite Communications Systems Directorate, Los Angeles AFB, Calif.
- August 2019-August 2021, Program Manager, National Reconnaissance Office, Aerospace Data Facility – East, Fort Belvoir, Va.
- August 2021-July 2023, Mission Manager, National Reconnaissance Office, Office of Space Launch, Chantilly, Va.
- July 2023-Present, Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla.
Major Awards and Decorations
- Defense Meritorious Service Medal
- Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
- Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
Effective Dates of Promotion
- Second Lieutenant - Aug. 6, 2013
- First Lieutenant - Aug. 6, 2015
- Captain - Aug. 6, 2017
- Major - Oct. 1, 2022
(Current as of July 2023)
Capt Augins
Capt Augins
Captain Nicole L. Augins
Captain Augins currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida. She is responsible for leading, educating, recruiting and training a cadet wing of 480 highly qualified Air Force Reserve Officer Training cadets.
Previously, Capt. Augins was a Strategic Planner (A5) for 1st Air Force (Air Forces Northern and Air Forces Space) and Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region (CONR), Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. CONR-1AF (AFNORTH and AFSPACE) is a United States Air Force warfighting headquarters and Air Combat Command Numbered Air Force responsible for organizing, training, equipping and employing air and space power forces for NORAD, U.S. Space Command and U.S. Northern Command’s Homeland Defense, Security Cooperation and Civil Support missions. In addition, she is responsible for developing operational designs and concepts to ensure the enterprise is equipped with the best strategy, plans and resources to counter threats and effective responses to contingencies.
Capt. Augins earned her commission from Detachment 880 Reserve Officer Training Corps, Virginia Military Institute, in 2014.
- 2014 - Bachelor of Art in Modern Languages and Cultures (Arabic), Virginia Military Institute, Va.
- 2015 - Logistics Readiness Technical School, Sheppard AFB, Texas
- 2018 - Master of Arts in Executive Leadership, Liberty University
- 2019 - Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
Assignments
- March 2015-July 2016, Officer in Charge, Materiel Management Flight, 647th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii
- July 2016-June 2017, Flight Commander, Distribution and Deployment Flight, 647th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii
- June 2017-March 2018, Executive Officer to the Commander, 647th Air Base Group, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii
- March 2018-August 2018, Flight Commander, Air Terminal Operations Center, 731st Air Mobility Squadron, Osan AB, Republic of Korea
- August 2018-March 2019, Flight Commander, Passenger and Fleet Services, 731st Air Mobility Squadron, Osan AB, Republic of Korea
- March 2019-March 2021, Commander, Detachment 2, 730th Air Mobility Squadron, Paya Lebar AB, Singapore
- March 2021-February 2022, Chief, Supply Chain Management, 1st Air Force and Air Forces Northern Command, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
- February 2022-Present, Strategic Planner, 1st Air Force and Air Forces Northern Command A4, Tyndall AFB, Fla. (Deployed November 2022-Present, Chief, Wing Exercises, 378th Air Expeditionary Wing, Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia)
Major Awards and Decorations
- Meritorious Service Medal
- Air and Space Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
- Air and Space Achievement Medal
- Navy Achievement Medal
Effective Dates of Promotion
- Second Lieutenant - May 14, 2014
- First Lieutenant - Oct. 10, 2016
- Captain - Oct. 10, 2018
(Current as of September 2023)
Capt Schaefer
Capt Schaefer
Captain Laura E. Schaefer
Captain Laura E. Schaefer is an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies, Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment 157, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Florida. She is responsible for the recruitment, training and instruction of 457 highly qualified Air and Space Force Officers. She is also in charge of detachment recruiting for five cross-town universities and 22 high schools for the location of eastern Florida.
Capt. Schaefer is a 2017 graduate of Louisiana Tech University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology and Health Promotion. She then went on to graduate at Western Governor’s University, where she earned a Master of Science in Management and Leadership. Capt. Schaefer then held a variety of positions within the Force Support career field at Barksdale AFB, LA. Additionally, she deployed to Prince Sultan AB, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator.
Education
- 2017 - Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Health Promotion, Louisiana Tech University, La.
- 2020 - Master of Science Degree in Management and Leadership, Western Governor’s University, Utah
Assignments
- May 2017-June 2019, MAJCOM A1M Analyst, Barksdale AFB, La.
- July 2019-January 2020, OIC Force Management, Barksdale AFB, La.
- February 2020-Present, Deputy Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, United States Air Force Academy, Colo.
Major Awards and Decorations
- Air Force Commendation Medal
- Air Force Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Effective Dates of Promotion
- Second Lieutenant - May 24, 2017
- First Lieutenant - May 24, 2019
- Captain - May 24, 2021
(Current as of September 2023)
Enlisted Cadre
MSgt Harris
MSgt Harris
Master Sergeant Anastacia Z. Harris
MSgt Anastacia Z. Harris is the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of Detachment 157, at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Air Force Reserve Officer Corps, Daytona Beach, Florida. As the senior enlisted NCO, MSgt Harris manages an office of three NCOs and oversees the execution of all administrative programs for the largest AFROTC detachment in the southeast region, supporting 450 cadets annually.
MSgt Harris entered active duty in July of 2011 as a Customer Service Apprentice. Her first duty assignment was at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. She worked as an Installation Personnel Readiness Journeyman, at the 55th Force Support Squadron where she was promoted Below the Zone. She later was hand-selected to manage ACC’s largest Personnel Reliability Assessment Program base as the Installation “PRAP” Monitor, where she was lauded for obtaining a number one PAR Report rating for her program. In 2016, MSgt Harris was assigned to the United States Air Force Special Investigations Academy, where she was the sole personnel manager for OSI’s only training enterprise. Her dedication and expertise contributed to the 2019 National Counterintelligence and Security Professionals Education and Training Team of the Year Award.
Education
- 2012 - Deliberate and Crisis Action Planning and Execution, Keesler AFB, Miss.
- 2014 - Airman Leadership School
- 2015 - Associate Degree, Human Resource Management, Community College of the Air Force
- 2016 - Bachelor of Science, Criminology and Criminal Justice, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Neb.
- 2018 - Pursuing a Master of Science, Legal Studies, American Military University
- 2020 - Non-Commissioned Officer Academy
Assignments
- November 2011-October 2016, Customer Service Apprentice, IPR Journeyman, Adverse Actions Journeyman, Employment & Classification Supervisor, Installation PRP Monitor, Installation PRAP Monitor, NCOIC Customer Service, 55th Force Support Squadron, Offutt AFB, Neb.
- October 2016-February 2021, Directorate of Personnel, USAF Special Investigations Academy, Glynco, Ga.
- February 2021-Present, NCOIC, Det 157, Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps, Daytona Beach, Fla.
Major Awards and Decorations
- Air Force Commendation Medal, 2016
- Distinguished Graduate, Mathies Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, 2020
- Air Force Commendation Medal, 2021
Effective Dates of Promotion
- Airman Basic - July 12, 2011
- Airman - Sept. 9, 2011
- Airman First Class - Oct. 25, 2011
- Senior Airman - July 9, 2013
- Staff Sergeant -July 1, 2015
- Technical Sergeant - July 1, 2018
- Master Sergeant - May 15, 2023
(Current as of May 2023)
SSgt Gate
SSgt Gate
Staff Sergeant Darryel Gate
Staff Sergeant Darryel Gate is Administration at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Detachment 157, Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps, Daytona Beach, Florida.
SSgt Gate entered active duty in March of 2017 as an Administration Apprentice. After completing basic military training, he went to technical training in July 2017, and since then has held a variety of administrative positions related to program management and administrative support. During his time at Fairchild AFB, Washington, and Al Udeid AB, Qatar, he provided reliable customer service serving as the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of the Commander’s Support Staff, helping the 92d Security Forces Squadron earn Best Medium Security Forces Unit for two consecutive years.
Education
- 2021 - Airman Leadership School
Assignments
- July 2017-January 2021, Administrative Apprentice, 92d Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. (June 2020-December 2020, Commander Support Staff, 28th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar)
- February 2021-August 2023, NCOIC Commander’s Support Staff, 92d Security Forces Squadron, Fairchild AFB, Wash.
- Aug. 2023-Present, Detachment 157 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps, Daytona Beach, Fla.
Major Awards and Decorations
- Air and Space Achievement Medal
- Air and Space Commendation Medal
Effective Dates of Promotion
- Airman Basic - March 21, 2017
- Airman First Class - May 19, 2017
- Senior Airman - Sept. 19, 2019
- Staff Sergeant - June 1, 2021
SSgt Whitehall
SSgt Whitehall
Staff Sergeant Logan Whitehall
Staff Sergeant Logan Whitehill is Administration at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Detachment 157, Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps, Daytona Beach, FL. Staff Sgt. Whitehill enlisted in the Air Force in April 2017. He completed basic training in July 2017 and graduated as a Distinguished Graduate in August 2017 from Administration technical school at Keesler AFB, Mississippi. His first location was Ramstein AB, Germany, working at the largest post office in the DoD, Northside Post Office, where he was awarded SrA Below-the-Zone. At Ramstein AB, Staff Sgt. Whitehill also was an Honor Guardsman leading and participating in major events around Germany and France, including the 74th Anniversary of Normandy. He then served as Executive Assistant, 728th Air Mobility Squadron, Air Mobility Command, Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. Following this short tour, Staff Sgt. Whitehill was the NCOIC, Official Mail Center, 728th Force Support Squadron, Pacific Air Force, Yokota Air Base, Japan, after PCA-ing from the 374th Comptroller Squadron working in the CSS for both the CPTS and Wing Staff Agencies. Prior to his current position, he served as the NCOIC of the Training Admin team in the Air Force Division to the Royal Saudi Air Force. He was responsible for processing the International Military Student testing, vetting and U.S. Visa acquisition, solidifying his role as a key player in the largest Foreign Military Sales portfolio in the world, valued at $49 billion, running 1,000 letters a year to 250 program managers throughout the world.
Education
- 2017 - 3F5X1 Technical School (Distinguished Graduate), Keesler, AFB, Miss.
- 2018 - Postal School (Distinguished Graduate), Fort Jackson, N.C.
- 2020 - Airman Leadership School (Academic Achievement Distinguished Graduate), Incirlik Air Base, Turkey
- 2024 - Bachelor of Science in Management Studies, University of Maryland - Global Campus, Md.
- 2024 - Associate of Applied Science, Information Management, Community College of the Air Force
Assignments
- September 2017-September 2019, Military Postal Clerk, 786th Force Support Squadron, United States Armed Forces Europe, Ramstein Air Base, Germany
- September 2019-November 2020, Executive Assistant, 728th Air Mobility Squadron, Air Mobility Command, Incirlik Air Base, Turkey
- November 2020-December 2021, NCOIC, Commander Support Staff, 374th Comptroller Squadron, Pacific Air Force, Yokota Air Base, Japan
- December 2022-February 2022, NCOIC, Postal Finance Operations, 728th Force Support Squadron, Pacific Air Force, Yokota Air Base, Japan
- February 2022-December 2022, NCOIC, Official Mail Center, 728th Force Support Squadron, Pacific Air Force, Yokota Air Base, Japan
- February 2022-December 2022, NCOIC, Official Mail Center, 728th Force Support Squadron, Pacific Air Force, Yokota Air Base, Japan
- December 2022-December 2023, NCOIC, RSAF Training Admin, United States Central Command, United States Military Training Mission, Air Force Division Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- December 2023-Present, NCOIC, Administration, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Detachment 157, Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps, Daytona Beach, Fla.
Major Awards and Decorations
- Air and Space Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
- Air and Space Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters
- Meritorious Unit Award
- Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with one oak leaf cluster
- AF Good Conduct Medal with one oak leaf cluster
- National Defense Service Medal
- Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
- Air and Space Overseas Service Ribbon Long
- Air and Space Longevity Service Award
- USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon
- Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with one service star
- Air and Space Training Ribbon
Effective Dates of Promotion
- Airman Basic, March 2017
- Airman First Class, May 2017
- Senior Airman, September 2019
- Staff Sergeant, June 1, 2021
TSgt Hillegass
TSgt Hillegass
Technical Sergeant James P. Hillegass
Technical Sergeant James P. Hillegass is the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of Detachment 157 at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Air Force Reserve Officer Corps, Daytona Beach, Florida. As the senior enlisted NCO, TSgt Hillegass manages an office of three NCOs and oversees the execution of all administrative programs for the largest AFROTC detachment in the southeast region, supporting 450 cadets annually.
TSgt Hillegass entered active duty in February 2013 as a Water & Fuel Systems Maintenance Apprentice. His first duty assignment was at Misawa Air Base in Japan. He served as a Water & Fuel Systems Maintenance Journeyman at the 35th Civil Engineer Squadron, where he earned his first Air Force Achievement Medal and was key to the squadron receiving the 2013 Clifton D. Wright Award for "Best Operations Flight in PACAF." In 2015, he was assigned to the 8th Civil Engineer Squadron, Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, and served as a water plant operator. During this time, he received his second Air Force Achievement Medal and was critical to the capture of both the squadron Team of the Year and the Pacific Air Forces 2015 Outstanding Small Civil Engineer Unit Awards. From 2016 to 2020, TSgt Hillegass was assigned to the 31st Civil Engineer Squadron at Aviano Air Force Base, Italy, where he earned his Fire Suppression Certification, his third Air Force Achievement Medal during his deployment in 2017 to Gaziantep Turkey, and his fourth Air Force Achievement Medal from Aviano. His contributions led to his unit receiving the Air Force’s 2019 Best Operations Flight and Best Small Civil Engineer Squadron of the Year awards. From 2020 to 2023 at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, TSgt Hillegass filled multiple roles as the Water & Fuel Systems Maintenance NCOIC, Scheduler and Special Systems Team Chief. His leadership proved vital to his unit receiving the 2021 Air Force Best Operations Flight and Air Force Association Aerospace awards, as well as the 2022 Air Force Global Strike Best Large Civil Engineer Unit.
Assignments
- September 2013-September 2015, PWFSM Apprentice, WFSM Journeyman, 35th CES, Misawa AB, Japan
- September 2015-September 2016, WFSM Journeyman, Water Plant Operator, 8th CES, Kunsan AB, South Korea
- October 2016-September 2020, WFSM Journeyman, WFSM Craftsman, 31st CES Aviano AFB, Italy
- September 2020-December 2023, WFSM Craftsman, WFSM NCOIC, WFSM Scheduler, WFSM Special Systems Chief 28th CES Ellsworth AFB, S.D.
- December 2023-Present, NCOIC, Det 157, Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps, Daytona Beach, Fla.
Major Awards and Decorations
- Air Force Achievement Medal (2015, 2016, 2017, 2020)
- Air Force Commendation Medal
Effective Dates of Promotion
- Airman Basic - Feb. 26, 2013
- Airman First Class - April 26, 2013
- Senior Airman - Aug. 26, 2015
- Staff Sergeant - Nov. 1, 2018
- Technical Sergeant - April 1, 2022
(Current as of January 2024)
SSgt Santiago-Rosado
SSgt Santiago-Rosado
Staff Sergeant Ramon L. Santiago Rosado
Staff Sergeant Ramon L. Santiago Rosado is the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of Administration, at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Detachment 157, Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps, Daytona Beach, FL. SSgt Santiago is the lead for Contracting, Cadet Pay, and Tuition and Scholarships for 450 cadets annually.
SSgt Santiago entered active duty in November of 2014 as a Postal Specialist at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. During this assignment, SSgt Santiago was key to postal operations success, delivering 7,600 mail items to Airmen ensuring continuous customer service. While stationed at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, in 2019, SSgt Santiago served as a WIT member and was instrumental to inspecting 74 inspection items. He also was hand-selected to be an safety investigation recorder for a KC-135R aircraft mishap where he created a secure shared-drive for investigators while scrutinizing 70 non-disclosure agreements and transcribing eight interviews from audio to text format, and as a collective result, he achieved the distinguished honor of winning Airmen of the Year for the 437th Airlift Wing! After his tour in South Carolina, SSgt Santiago PCS’d to F. E. Warren AFB in Wyoming. During this time, he was charged with being the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of the Commander’s Support Staff, ensuring compliance and excellence with all commander’s programs.
Education
- 2019 - Airman Leadership School
Assignments
- April 2015-July 2016, Postal Specialist, 39th Communications Squadron, Incirlik AB, Turkey.
- August 2016-September 2018, Executive Support Staff, 437th Airlift Wing, JB Charleston, S.C.
- January 2017-August 2017, Secretary, 747th Airlift Expeditionary Squadron, Bagram AB, Afghanistan
- September 2018-April 2019, Commanders Support Staff, 628th Comptroller Squadron, JB Charleston, S.C.
- April 2019 – August 2019, Asst NCOIC, Official Mail Center, 628th FSS, JB Charleston, S.C.
- August 2019 – November 2020, NCOIC, CSS Staff, 90th Ground Combat Training Squadron, Camp Guernsey, Wyo.
- December 2020-Present, NCOIC, Administration, Detachment 157 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps, Daytona Beach, Fla.
Major Awards and Decorations
- Air Force Achievement Medal, 2016
- Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster, 2019
- Air Force Commendation Medal, 2019
- Air Force Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters, 2020
Effective Dates of Promotion
- Airman Basic - Nov. 10, 2014
- Airman First Class - Jan. 9, 2015
- Senior Airman - May 9, 2017
- Staff Sergeant - April 1, 2019
(Current as of April 2021)
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