Captain Michael Kelly
- Recruiting Officer
Contact Info
Biography —
CAPTAIN MICHAEL A. KELLY
Captain Michael A. Kelly is an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas. Directly overseeing the Detachment 280 recruitment program as well as an instructor educating the future of United States Air Force Officers.
Captain Michael Kelly was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. He graduated from University of Mississippi with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Criminal Justice and earned his commission through AFROTC detachment 430 in 2018. After graduating he then attended Undergraduate Cyber Training (UCT) at Keesler AFB, achieving Cyberspace warfare Operation Wings. Capt Kelly has since served in a variety of vital communication leadership positions. His assignments include the following bases Goodfellow AFB, TX and Creech AFB. While at Creech AFB he led the standup of the 432 Communication Squadron (CS) first quality assurance flight. Prior to his current assignment, he was the flight commander for the newly established 432d Communications Squadron directly responsible for the Creech AFB communication infrastructure sustainment and modernization projects.
EDUCATION
2018 BAS of Criminal Justice with emphasis in Homeland Security, University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS.
2020 Undergraduate Cyber Training Course, Keesler AFB, MS.
2023 Began Masters in Cybersecurity, University of Nevada Online, Reno, NV 40% completed
2023 Flight Leadership Course, Creech AFB, Las Vegas, NV
2024 Cyberspace 200, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
ASSIGNMENTS or CAREER CHRONOLOGY
- Nov 2019 – Sept 2021, Plans & Programs OIC, 017 Communications Squadron, Goodfellow AFB, TX
- Sept 2021 – May 2024, Plans & Resources Flight CC, 432 Communications Squadron, Creech AFB, NV
- April 2024 – Oct 2024, Plans & Resources Flight CC, 379 Expeditionary Communication Squadron, Al Udeid Qatar
- 18 May 2025 – Present, Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies, Air Force ROTC Detachment 280, Lawrence, KS
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
- April 2024 – Oct 2024, Plans & Resources Flight CC, 379 ECS, Al Udeid AB, Qatar
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air Force Achievement Medal - April 2021
Air Force Commendation Medal – Sept 2021
Air Force Achievement Medal OLC - Oct 2024
Air Force Commendation Medal – May 2025
OCCUPATIONAL BADGES
Cyberspace Warfare Badge – Nov 2019
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Student & Representative, Language Enabled Airman Program
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 18, 2018
First Lieutenant
July 21, 2020
Captain
July 21, 2022
Current as of Oct 2025