AFJROTC NATIONAL AND AIR
FORCE KEY LEADERS
TO BE USED FOR FACIAL RECOGNITION AND REFERENCE FOR POSSIBLE FUTURE
PROJECTS
CREATED BY C/A1C. ZAIRE FARMER
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA
Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr., was born November 20, 1942, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, the first of four siblings. In 1953, the Biden family moved from Pennsylvania to Claymont, Delaware. He
graduated from the University of Delaware and Syracuse Law School and served on the New Castle County Council. Then, at age 29, he became one of the youngest people ever elected to
the United States Senate.
Just weeks after the election, tragedy struck the Biden family, when Biden's wife, Neilia, and their 1-year old daughter, Naomi, were killed and their two young sons critically injured in an
auto accident. Vice President Biden was sworn in to the U.S. Senate at his sons' hospital bedside and began commuting to Washington every day by train, a practice he maintained throughout
his career in the Senate.
In 1977, Vice President Biden married Jill Jacobs. Jill Biden, who holds a Ph.D. in Education, has been an educator for over two decades and currently teaches at a DC-area community
college. The Vice President has three children: Beau, Hunter, and Ashley. Beau serves as Delaware's Attorney General and recently returned home from Iraq where he served as a Captain in
the 261st Signal Brigade of the Delaware National Guard. Ashley is a social worker and Hunter is an attorney. Vice President Biden has five grandchildren: Naomi, Finnegan, Roberta Mabel
("Maisy"), Natalie, and Robert Hunter.
As a Senator from Delaware for 36 years, Senator Biden established himself as a leader on some of our nation's most important domestic and international challenges. As Chairman or
Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee for 17 years, then-Senator Biden was widely recognized for his work on criminal justice issues including the landmark 1994 Crime Bill and
the Violence Against Women Act. As Chairman or Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee since 1997, then-Senator Biden played a pivotal role in shaping U.S. foreign
policy. He has been at the forefront of issues and legislation related to terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, post-Cold War Europe, the Middle East, and Southwest Asia.
Now, as the 47th Vice President of the United States, Joe Biden has continued his leadership on important issues facing the nation. The Vice President was tasked with implementing the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, helping to rebuild our economy and lay the foundation for a sustainable economic future. As part of his continued efforts to raise the living
standards of middle class Americans across the country, Vice President Biden has also focused on the issues of college affordability and American manufacturing growth, key priorities of the
Administration.
Vice President Biden continues to draw on his foreign policy experience, advising the President on a multitude of international issues. He helped secure the Senate’s approval of the New
START nuclear arms reduction treaty with Russia, together with significant new funding to maintain our nuclear laboratories. He played a lead role in ending the war in Iraq responsibly,
traveling to the country eight times since being elected – most recently in December 2011 to mark the formal end of the war.
In addition, Vice President Biden has supported the Administration’s effort to reestablish leadership in the Asia Pacific, traveling to China, Japan, and Mongolia in August 2011 and
completing an exchange of visits with China’s then-Vice President in February 2012, that country’s current leader. He has represented our country in every region of the world, advancing our
unprecedented support for Israel’s security, securing approval in Europe for the Administration’s more effective approach to missile defense, working with Latin American leaders to combat
drug trafficking and international crime and building relations with key leaders in Africa. He has traveled to more than two dozen countries, including Germany, Belgium, Chile, Costa Rica,
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, Lebanon, Georgia, Ukraine, Iraq, Poland, Romania, the Czech Republic, Israel, the Palestinian Territories, Jordan, Spain, Egypt, Kenya, South Africa,
Afghanistan, Pakistan, Finland, Russia, Moldova, Italy, China, Mongolia, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Greece, Mexico, Honduras, Brazil, Colombia, and Trinidad and Tobago.
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VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN
Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr., was born November 20, 1942, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, the first of four siblings. In 1953, the Biden family moved from Pennsylvania to Claymont, Delaware. He
graduated from the University of Delaware and Syracuse Law School and served on the New Castle County Council. Then, at age 29, he became one of the youngest people ever elected to
the United States Senate.
Just weeks after the election, tragedy struck the Biden family, when Biden's wife, Neilia, and their 1-year old daughter, Naomi, were killed and their two young sons critically injured in an
auto accident. Vice President Biden was sworn in to the U.S. Senate at his sons' hospital bedside and began commuting to Washington every day by train, a practice he maintained throughout
his career in the Senate.
In 1977, Vice President Biden married Jill Jacobs. Jill Biden, who holds a Ph.D. in Education, has been an educator for over two decades and currently teaches at a DC-area community
college. The Vice President has three children: Beau, Hunter, and Ashley. Beau serves as Delaware's Attorney General and recently returned home from Iraq where he served as a Captain in
the 261st Signal Brigade of the Delaware National Guard. Ashley is a social worker and Hunter is an attorney. Vice President Biden has five grandchildren: Naomi, Finnegan, Roberta Mabel
("Maisy"), Natalie, and Robert Hunter.
As a Senator from Delaware for 36 years, Senator Biden established himself as a leader on some of our nation's most important domestic and international challenges. As Chairman or
Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee for 17 years, then-Senator Biden was widely recognized for his work on criminal justice issues including the landmark 1994 Crime Bill and
the Violence Against Women Act. As Chairman or Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee since 1997, then-Senator Biden played a pivotal role in shaping U.S. foreign
policy. He has been at the forefront of issues and legislation related to terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, post-Cold War Europe, the Middle East, and Southwest Asia.
Now, as the 47th Vice President of the United States, Joe Biden has continued his leadership on important issues facing the nation. The Vice President was tasked with implementing the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, helping to rebuild our economy and lay the foundation for a sustainable economic future. As part of his continued efforts to raise the living
standards of middle class Americans across the country, Vice President Biden has also focused on the issues of college affordability and American manufacturing growth, key priorities of the
Administration.
Vice President Biden continues to draw on his foreign policy experience, advising the President on a multitude of international issues. He helped secure the Senate’s approval of the New
START nuclear arms reduction treaty with Russia, together with significant new funding to maintain our nuclear laboratories. He played a lead role in ending the war in Iraq responsibly,
traveling to the country eight times since being elected – most recently in December 2011 to mark the formal end of the war.
In addition, Vice President Biden has supported the Administration’s effort to reestablish leadership in the Asia Pacific, traveling to China, Japan, and Mongolia in August 2011 and
completing an exchange of visits with China’s then-Vice President in February 2012, that country’s current leader. He has represented our country in every region of the world, advancing our
unprecedented support for Israel’s security, securing approval in Europe for the Administration’s more effective approach to missile defense, working with Latin American leaders to combat
drug trafficking and international crime and building relations with key leaders in Africa. He has traveled to more than two dozen countries, including Germany, Belgium, Chile, Costa Rica,
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, Lebanon, Georgia, Ukraine, Iraq, Poland, Romania, the Czech Republic, Israel, the Palestinian Territories, Jordan, Spain, Egypt, Kenya, South Africa,
Afghanistan, Pakistan, Finland, Russia, Moldova, Italy, China, Mongolia, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Greece, Mexico, Honduras, Brazil, Colombia, and Trinidad and Tobago.
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SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE JOHN
BOEHNER
John A. Boehner (bay-ner) serves as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. Elected to
represent the Eighth Congressional District of Ohio for a 12th term in November 2012, John is a
national leader in the drive for a smaller, less costly, and more accountable federal government.
On November 17, 2010 – his 61st birthday – Boehner was elected by his colleagues to serve as
Speaker-designate, and on January 5, 2011 he swore in the 112th Congress as the 53rd Speaker of
the House. John was re-elected by the House on January 3, 2013 to serve a second term as Speaker
for the 113th Congress.
Under his leadership, the House majority has worked to make the legislative process more open and to
ensure the priorities of the American people are reflected in the priorities of lawmakers. John led the
drive for an aggressive set of reforms that require bills to be posted online at least three days before
a vote, make it easier to cut spending, require legislation to cite its authority in the Constitution, and
more.
John also led House Republicans in adopting the first ban on "earmarks" -- the secretive, pork-barrel
spending he has opposed since his first days in Congress. Today, Speaker Boehner is focused on
removing government barriers to private-sector job creation and economic growth, cutting government
spending, reforming Congress, and rebuilding the bonds of trust between the American people and
their representatives in Washington.
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SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN KERRY
On February 1, 2013, John Forbes Kerry was sworn in as the 68th Secretary of State of the United States, becoming the first sitting Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman to become Secretary in over a century.
Secretary Kerry joined the State Department after 28 years in the United States Senate, the last four as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Secretary Kerry was born on December 11, 1943, at Fitzsimons Army Hospital in Aurora, Colorado, one of four children of the late Rosemary Forbes Kerry and Richard Kerry, a Foreign Service Officer.
Shortly before he graduated from Yale University, Secretary Kerry enlisted to serve in the United States Navy, and went on to serve two tours of duty. He served in combat as a Swift Boat skipper patrolling the rivers of the
Mekong Delta, returning home from Vietnam with a Silver Star, a Bronze Star with Combat V, and three Purple Hearts.
Back in the United States, Secretary Kerry began to forcefully speak out against the Vietnam War. Testifying at the invitation of Chairman J. William Fulbright before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, he asked the
poignant question, "How do you ask a man to be the last man to die for a mistake?" He also began a lifelong fight for his fellow veterans as a co-founder of the Vietnam Veterans of America, and later as a United States
Senator who fought to secure veterans’ benefits, extension of the G.I. Bill for Higher Education, and improved treatment for PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).
In 1976, Secretary Kerry received his law degree from Boston College Law School and went to work as a top prosecutor in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, where he took on organized crime, fought for victims' rights, and
created programs for rape counseling. He was elected Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts in 1982, and 2 years later, he was elected to the United States Senate where he served for 28 years.
In 2009, Secretary Kerry became Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, assuming a leadership role on key foreign policy and national security issues facing the United States, including Afghanistan and Pakistan,
nuclear nonproliferation, and global climate change. His service as Chairman built on his previous Senate work that included helping to expose the Iran-Contra scandal and leadership on global AIDS.
As Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on POW/MIA Affairs, he worked to learn the truth about American soldiers missing in Vietnam and to normalize relations with that country.
In 2010, as Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, Secretary Kerry was instrumental in the ratification of the New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) Treaty, a vital nuclear arms reduction agreement with Russia
that helps steer both countries away from dangerous nuclear confrontations.
In his 28 years on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Secretary Kerry chaired the Asia and Middle East subcommittees where he authored and passed major legislation on international drug trafficking, international money
laundering, humanitarian aid, and climate change, and he helped negotiate the UN’s genocide tribunal to prosecute war crimes in Cambodia.
He also held senior positions on the Finance, Commerce, and Small Business committees, as well as served as a member of the bipartisan Joint Committee on Deficit Reduction, where he worked across party lines to try and
reduce the country’s debt and strengthen our economy. Prior to his departure from the Senate, Secretary Kerry was the seventh-most senior Senator.
Secretary Kerry was the Democratic Party's nominee for President of the United States in 2004.
Secretary Kerry is the author of best-selling books, including A Call to Service: My Vision for a Better America and This Moment on Earth, a book on the environment which he co-authored with his wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry.
Together they are proud of a blended family that includes two daughters, three sons, and three grandchildren.
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SECRETARY OF DEFENSE CHUCK
HAGEL
Chuck Hagel was sworn in as the 24th Secretary of Defense on February 27, 2013 becoming the first enlisted combat veteran to lead the Department of Defense.
Secretary Hagel was born on October 4, 1946 in North Platte, Nebraska, the eldest of four brothers. He joined the United States Army and volunteered to go to Vietnam, rising to the rank
of Sergeant and serving as an infantry squad leader alongside his brother, Tom, with the Army’s 9th Infantry Division in 1968. He earned numerous military decorations and honors, including
two Purple Hearts.
Following his tour in Vietnam, Secretary Hagel graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha using the G.I. Bill. Continuing his commitment to public service, Secretary Hagel became
Chief of Staff to Nebraska Congressman John Y. McCollister.
In 1981, Secretary Hagel was nominated by President Ronald Reagan to serve as Deputy Administrator of the Veterans Administration. In that post he helped pioneer early electronic health
record keeping and pushed for increased benefits for Vietnam veterans suffering from Agent Orange. This fight became one of the causes of his life, later helping federal courts distribute
hundreds of millions of dollars for Agent Orange victims through the Court settlement that set up the Agent Orange Payment Program which he chaired.
In the mid-1980’s, Secretary Hagel co-founded Vanguard Cellular Systems, Inc., which became one of the largest independent cellular networks in the country. Secretary Hagel also served
as President and CEO of the USO; the Chief Operating Officer of the 1990 Economic Summit of Industrialized Nations (G-7 Summit) in Houston, Texas; Deputy Commissioner General of the
United States for the 1982 World’s Fair, President of the Private Sector Council and President of McCarthy & Company, an Omaha based investment bank.
In 1996, Secretary Hagel was elected to the United States Senate and represented Nebraska until 2009. While in the Senate, he was a senior member of the Foreign Relations; Banking,
Housing and Urban Affairs; and Intelligence Committees. He chaired the Foreign Relations International Economic Policy, Export and Trade Promotion Subcommittee; and the Banking
Committee’s International Trade and Finance, and Securities Subcommittees. Secretary Hagel also served as the Chairman of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China and the
Senate Climate Change Observer Group.
Following his Senate career, Secretary Hagel served as Co-Chairman of President Obama’s Intelligence Advisory Board and a member of the Secretary of Defense Policy Board. He was a
Distinguished Professor in the Practice of National Governance at the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service and Chairman of the Atlantic Council, a non-partisan institution
devoted to promoting transatlantic cooperation and international security. He also served on the board of PBS and a number of corporations and financial institutions.
Secretary Hagel is author of the 2008 book America: Our Next Chapter. He and his wife Lilibet have a daughter, Allyn, and a son, Ziller.
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SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE
DEBORAH LEE JAMES
Deborah Lee James is the Secretary of the Air Force, Washington, D.C. She is the 23rd Secretary of the Air Force and is responsible for the affairs of the Department of the Air Force, including the organizing, training, equipping and providing for the welfare of its more than
690,000 active duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian Airmen and their families. She also oversees the Air Force's annual budget of more than $110 billion.
Ms. James has 30 years of senior homeland and national security experience in the federal government and the private sector. Prior to her current position, Ms. James served as President of Science Applications International Corporation's Technical and Engineering Sector, where she
was responsible for 8,700 employees and more than $2 billion in revenue.
For nearly a decade, Ms. James held a variety of positions with SAIC to include Senior Vice President and Director of Homeland Security. From 2000 to 2001, she was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Business Executives for National Security, and from 1998
to 2000 she was Vice President of International Operations and Marketing at United Technologies.
During the Clinton Administration, from 1993 to 1998, Ms. James served in the Pentagon as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs. In that position, she was the Secretary of Defense’s senior advisor on all matters pertaining to the 1.8 million National Guard and
Reserve personnel worldwide. In addition to working extensively with Congress, state governors, the business community, military associations, and international officials on National Guard and Reserve component issues, she oversaw a $10 billion budget and supervised a 100-plusperson staff. Prior to her Senate confirmation in 1993, she served as an assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs.
From 1983 to 1993, she worked as a professional staff member on the House Armed Services Committee, where she served as a senior advisor to the Military Personnel and Compensation Subcommittee, the NATO Burden Sharing Panel, and the Chairman’s Member Services team.
Ms. James earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in comparative area studies from Duke University and a master’s degree in international affairs from Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs.
EDUCATION
1979 Bachelor of Arts degree in comparative area studies, Duke University, Durham, N.C.
1981 Master’s degree in international affairs, Columbia University, N.Y.
CAREER CHRONOLOGY
1. 1983 - 1993, Professional Staff Member, Armed Services Committee, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.
2. 1993 - 1998, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Washington, D.C.
3. 1999 - 2000, Vice President of International Operations and Marketing, United Technologies, Washington, D.C.
4. 2000 - 2001, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Business Executives for National Security, Washington, D.C.
5. 2002 - 2013, Senior Vice President and Director for Homeland Security; Senior Vice President, C4IT Business Unit General Manager; Executive Vice President, Communications and Government Affairs; President, Technical and Engineering Sector, Science Applications International
Corporation, McLean, Va.
6. 2013 - present, Secretary of the Air Force, Washington, D.C.
(Current as of December 2013)
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CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS
OF STAFF GENERAL MARTIN
DEMPSEY
General Martin E. Dempsey serves as the 18th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In this capacity, he serves as the principal military adviser to the President, the Secretary of Defense and
the National Security Council. By law, he is the nation’s highest-ranking military officer. Prior to becoming Chairman, the general served as the Army’s 37th Chief of Staff.
Past assignments have taken him and his family across the globe during both peace and war from Platoon Leader to Combatant Commander. He is a 1974 graduate of the United States
Military Academy and a career armor officer.
As a company grade officer, he served with the 2nd Cavalry in United States Army Europe and with the 10th Cavalry at Fort Carson. Following troop command he earned his Masters of Arts
in English from Duke University and was assigned to the English Department at West Point. In 1991, GEN Dempsey deployed with the Third Armored Division in support of OPERATION
DESERT STORM. Following DESERT STORM, he commanded 4th Battalion 67th Armor (Bandits) in Germany for two years and then departed to become Armor Branch Chief in US Army
Personnel Command. From 1996-1998 he served as the 67th Colonel of the Third Armored Cavalry Regiment. Following this assignment as the Army’s “senior scout” he served on the Joint
Staff as an Assistant Deputy Director in J-5 and as Special Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. From September 2001 to June 2003, General Dempsey served in the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia training and advising the Saudi Arabian National Guard. In June of 2003, General Dempsey took command of the 1st Armored Division in Baghdad, Iraq. After
14 months in Iraq, General Dempsey redeployed the division to Germany and completed his command tour in July of 2005. He then returned to Iraq for two years in August of 2005 to train
and equip the Iraqi Security Forces as Commanding General of MNSTC-I. From August 2007 through October 2008, GEN Dempsey served as the Deputy Commander and then Acting
Commander of U.S. Central Command. Before becoming Chief of Staff of the Army, he commanded US Army Training and Doctrine Command from December 2008-March 2011.
General Dempsey’s awards and decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Distinguished Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the
Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Bronze Star with “V” Device and Oak Leaf Cluster, the Combat Action Badge, and the Parachutist
Badge. In addition to his Masters’ Degree in English, he holds Masters’ Degrees in Military Art and in National Security Studies.
General Dempsey and his high school sweetheart Deanie have three children: Chris, Megan, and Caitlin. Each has served in the United States Army. Chris remains on active duty. They have
eight wonderful grandchildren: Kayla, Mackenna and Finley by Chris and daughter-in-law Julie, Luke and Braden by Caitlin and son-in-law Shane, and Alexander, Hunter and Samuel by
Megan and son-in-law Kory.
(Current as of August 2013)
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AIR FORCE CHIEF OF STAFF
GENERAL MARK WELSH III
Gen. Mark A. Welsh III is Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. As Chief, he serves as
the senior uniformed Air Force officer responsible for the organization, training and equipping of
690,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian forces serving in the United States and overseas. As
a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the general and other service chiefs function as military advisers
to the Secretary of Defense, National Security Council and the President.
General Welsh was born in San Antonio, Texas. He entered the Air Force in June 1976 as a graduate
of the U.S. Air Force Academy. He has been assigned to numerous operational, command and staff
positions. Prior to his current position, he was Commander, U.S. Air Forces in Europe
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Force Recognition Ribbon with oak leaf cluster
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VICE CHIEF OF STAFF GENERAL
LARRY SPENCER
Gen. Larry O. Spencer is Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. As Vice Chief, he presides over the Air
Staff and serves as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Requirements Oversight Council and Deputy Advisory Working
Group. He assists the Chief of Staff with organizing, training, and equipping of 690,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve and
civilian forces serving in the United States and overseas.
General Spencer was born in Washington, D.C. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in industrial engineering
technology from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, and was commissioned through Officer Training School in 1980 as a
distinguished graduate. General Spencer has commanded a squadron, group and wing, and he was Vice Commander of the
Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center. He was also the first Air Force officer to serve as Assistant Chief of Staff in the White
House Military Office. He served as the Comptroller and then Director of Mission Support (A7) at a major command; and held
positions within the Air Staff and Secretary of the Air Force. Prior to his current assignment, the general was Director, Force
Structure, Resources and Assessment, Joint Staff, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Force Recognition Ribbon with oak leaf cluster
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CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT OF THE
AIR FORCE JAMES CODY
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James A. Cody represents the highest enlisted level of leadership, and as
such, provides direction for the enlisted force and represents their interests, as appropriate, to the American
public, and to those in all levels of government. He serves as the personal adviser to the Chief of Staff and the
Secretary of the Air Force on all issues regarding the welfare, readiness, morale, and proper utilization and
progress of the enlisted force. Chief Cody is the 17th chief master sergeant appointed to the highest
noncommissioned officer position.
Chief Cody entered the Air Force in November 1984. He graduated from the air traffic control specialist course
at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., in May 1985. His background includes various duties in air traffic control at the
unit and major-command levels. Throughout his career, he has filled a myriad of roles including additional-duty
First Sergeant and Directorate Superintendent. His assignments include bases in New Hampshire, California,
Virginia and Florida. The chief also served overseas in Germany, South Korea, Turkey, and deployed in support
of Operations Southern Watch and Enduring Freedom.
Prior to assuming his current position, he served as the Command Chief Master Sergeant, Air Education and
Training Command, Randolph AFB, Texas.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal with seven oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal with five oak leaf clusters
Outstanding Airman of the Year Ribbon
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COMMANDER, AIR EDUCATION
AND TRAINING COMMAND
GENERAL ROBIN RAND
Gen. Robin Rand is Commander, Air Education and Training Command, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. He is
responsible for the recruiting, training and education of Air Force personnel. His command includes the Air Force Recruiting
Service, two numbered air forces and Air University. The command operates nearly 1,370 trainer, fighter and mobility
aircraft, 23 wings, 12 bases, and five geographically separated groups. It trains more than 293,000 students per year with
approximately 62,000 active-duty, Reserve, Guard, civilian and contractor personnel.
General Rand was commissioned in 1979 after graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy. He's had multiple flying tours;
served as an air liaison officer with the U.S. Army; and has had staff tours on the Joint Staff, Office of the Secretary of
Defense, and Air Staff. General Rand's previous commands include the 36th Fighter Squadron, USAF Weapons School, 8th
Fighter Wing, 56th Fighter Wing, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing at Balad Air Base, Iraq, and prior to this assignment 12th
Air Force (Air Forces Southern) at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.
General Rand is a command pilot with more than 5,000 flying hours, including more than 470 combat hours.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters
Bronze Star Medal
Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Korea Defense Service Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal with two bronze stars
Republic of Korea Order of National Security Merit (Samil Medal)
Colombian Air Force Cross of Aeronautical Merit (Grand Cross)
Brazilian Air Force Order of Aeronautical Merit (Grand Officer)
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COMMANDER, AIR UNIVERSITY
LIEUTENANT GENERAL STEVEN
KWAST
Lt. Gen. Steven L. Kwast is Commander and President, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. He
provides full spectrum education, research, and outreach at every level through professional military education,
professional continuing education, and academic degree granting. He leads the intellectual and leadership center
of the U.S. Air Force, graduating more than 50,000 resident and 120,000 non-resident officers, enlisted and
civilian personnel each year. Additionally, he is responsible for officer commissioning through Officer Training
School and the Reserve Officer Training Corps.
General Kwast was commissioned upon graduation from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1986. After completing a
master's degree in public policy from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, he was assigned to
undergraduate pilot training where he earned his pilot wings in June 1989. General Kwast has served as military
aide to the vice president and completed a National Defense Fellowship with the Institute for the Study of
Conflict, Ideology and Policy at Boston University, Massachusetts.
The general has commanded at the squadron, group and wing levels, including the 47th Operations Group at
Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, and the 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C. He also served as the
deputy director for Colonel Matters, Air Force Senior Leader Management Office, Washington, D.C., and as the
commander, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. General Kwast was the deputy
director for Politico-Military Affairs for Europe, NATO, and Russia, Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate, Joint
Staff, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Prior to his current assignment, General Kwast was the commander, Curtis
E. LeMay Center for Doctrine Development and Education and vice commander, Air University, Maxwell AFB,
Alabama. He has more than 3,300 flying hours, including more than 650 combat hours during operations Desert
Shield, Desert Storm, Southern Watch, Allied Force and Enduring Freedom.
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COMMANDER, HOLM CENTER
BRIGADIER GENERAL PAUL
GUEMMER
Brig. Gen. Paul H. Guemmer is the Commander, Jeanne M. Holm Center for Officer Accessions and Citizen
Development, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. General Guemmer leads the training for 16,000 cadets in 145
detachments of Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps; 1,900 trainees in Officer Training School; and more
than 120,000 cadets in 870 high schools supporting Air Force Junior ROTC. The Holm Center produces more than
80 percent of the Air Force’s line officer, chaplain, judge advocate, and medical officer production. In addition,
General Guemmer acts as a liaison providing assistance and oversight for the Civil Air Patrol in its role as the Air
Force’s official auxiliary. The Civil Air Patrol’s 56,000 senior and cadet members operate a fleet of 550
aircraft, perform emergency services and provide cadet program activities and aerospace education support for
federal, state and local customers.
General Guemmer received his commission as a distinguished graduate from the Reserve Officer Training Corps
in 1988. He has held multiple flying assignments as an aircraft commander, instructor, and examiner pilot. The
general has commanded at the squadron and wing levels and has deployed multiple times, including a
deployment as an expeditionary operations support squadron commander and air expeditionary wing vice
commander. His staff experience includes tours at the Air Staff and Joint Staff. Prior to his current assignment,
General Guemmer was the Deputy Director (Military) Strategy, Capabilities, Policy, and Logistics Directorate,
U.S. Transportation Command, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. He was responsible for Department of Defense
transportation strategy and policy across the entire Joint Deployment and Distribution Enterprise.
General Guemmer is a command pilot with more than 4,400 flying hours and more than 240 combat and combat
support hours in the C-5, KC-10, KC-135, E-8, C-130, and C-21.
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DIRECTOR, AFJROTC COLONEL
BOBBY WOODS
Colonel Bobby C. Woods, Jr. is the Director, Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, Maxwell Air Force
Base, Ala. He is responsible for the Air Force’s high school citizenship training program comprised of more than
118,000 students at 867 high schools worldwide. Colonel Woods directs staff initiatives and policy to implement
the world’s largest and most comprehensive aerospace science education program. He develops policies and
procedures for the day-to-day operation of the AFJROTC program; establishes standards for unit operations,
instructor qualifications and cadet performance; screens, approves and certifies instructors; establishes new
AFJROTC units; establishes the curriculum; and provides equipment, supplies and uniforms to AFJROTC units.
Colonel Woods also monitors distribution of AFROTC scholarships for officer candidates allocated to AFJROTC.
Colonel Woods is a 1992 graduate of Mississippi State University and earned his commission through the Reserve
Officer Training Corps. He has served as an evaluator navigator and Special Operations Low Level II (SOLL II)
radar, evaluator, and instructor navigator in the C-141B as well as instructor navigator in the T-43A, and
instructor combat systems officer in the T-1A. His flying assignments include operational and training assignments
at McGuire AFB, N.J., Randolph AFB, Texas, and Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla, and staff assignments at the
18AF/TACC in the Current Operations Directorate, Special Missions Division and Joint Staff J-3, National Military
Command Center Operations Team Four, Pentagon. He was most recently deployed in support of Operation
Enduring Freedom-Philippines in the Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines, where he served as the Joint
Special Operations Air Detachment, deputy commander. He was previously the deputy commander of the 479th
Flying Training Group at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla.
Colonel Woods is a senior navigator with more than 1,800 total flying hours.
UPDATE PROMPTLY AS CHANGES ARE MADE
15
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS LIST IS ABRIGED. IT DOES NOT
INCLUDE ALL VICE COMMANDERS AS WELL AS NCO
STAFF POSITIONS OTHER THAN THE CMSAF
UPDATE PROMPTLY AS CHANGES ARE MADE
16