Lieutenant Colonel Brett Messer

LIEUTENANT COLONEL BRETT J. MESSER
Lt Col Brett J. Messer is the commander of Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment 280, at the
University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas. He leads 5 cadre and staff to train and develop officer candidates to
commission as Second Lieutenants in the U.S. Air Force and Space Force. He is the Department Head, Aerospace
Science, and the Professor of Aerospace Studies, with a detachment strength of approximately 80 cadets.
Lt Col Messer entered the Air Force as a cadet at the United States Air Force Academy in 2004. He graduated and
received his commission from the Academy in 2008. He is a career Logistics Readiness Officer and has held
numerous positions at the flight, squadron, wing, Major Command, and Combatant Command levels. Prior to his
current assignment, he was the commander, 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron at Royal Air Force Mildenhall,
United Kingdom.

EDUCATION
2008 Bachelor of Science, Behavioral Science, United States Air Force Academy, CO
2009 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL
2009 Logistics Readiness Officer Basic Course, Lackland AFB, TX
2013 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, AL
2014 Master of Arts in Criminal Justice, American Military University
2014 Intermediate Logistics Readiness Officer Course, Maxwell AFB, AL, by correspondence
2018 Master of Science, Logistics, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
2018 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2022 Master of Science, Operations Management, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio

ASSIGNMENTS
1. November 2008–June 2009, Duty Officer, Air Terminal Operations Center, 721st Aerial Port Squadron,
Ramstein Air Base, Germany
2. June 2009–November 2009, Air Freight Operations Officer, 721st APS, Ramstein AB, Germany
3. November 2009–November 2010, Flight Commander, Air Terminal Operations, 721st APS, Ramstein AB,
Germany
4. November 2010–March 2011, Flight Commander, Combat Readiness & Resources, 721st APS, Ramstein AB,
Germany
5. March 2011–November 2011, Wing Executive Officer, 521st Air Mobility Operations Wing, Ramstein AB,
Germany
6. November 2011–December 2011, Flight Commander, Vehicle Management, 92d Logistics Readiness
Squadron, Fairchild AFB, WA
7. December 2011–January 2013, Flight Commander, Materiel Management, 92d LRS, Fairchild AFB, WA
8. January 2013–June 2013, Airlift Requirements Planner, 609 Air Operations Center/Air Mobility Division, Al
Udeid AB, Qatar
9. June 2013–November 2014, Flight Commander, Deployment & Distribution, 92d LRS, Fairchild AFB, WA
10. November 2014–July 2015, Logistics Planner & Staff Officer, HQ USAFRICOM/J4, Kelley Barracks,
Germany
11. July 2015–November 2017, Staff Officer, Joint Logistics Operations Center, HQ USAFRICOM/J4, Stuttgart,
Germany
12. November 2017–December 2018, Director of Operations, 39th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Incirlik AB,
Turkey
13. January 2019–May 2019, Deputy Chief, Logistics Division, HQ Air Force Space Command, Peterson AFB,
CO
14. May 2019–June 2021, Commander, 21st Logistics Readiness Squadron, Peterson AFB, CO
15. July 2021–June 2022, Intermediate Developmental Education Student, Advanced Studies of Air Mobility,
USAF Expeditionary Center, Joint Base MDL, NJ
16. June 2022–June 2024, Commander, 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Royal Air Force Mildenhall, United
Kingdom
17. July 2024 – Present, Commander, Air Force ROTC Detachment 280, Lawrence, KS

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Joint Service Air Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air & Space Campaign Medal

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2009 Outstanding Academic Performer, Air & Space Basic Course                                                                                          2013 Top Third, Squadron Officer School
2013 CGO of the Year, 92d Air Refueling Wing
2015 CGO of the Year, HQ US Africa Command
2018 USAF Logistics Readiness FGO of the Year
2022 IDE Distinguished Graduate, Advanced Study of Air Mobility

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 28, 2008
First Lieutenant May 28, 2010
Captain May 28, 2012
Major Jan. 1, 2018
Lieutenant Colonel Aug. 1, 2022