Major Cole J. Evans is an Assistant Professor of Military & Strategic Studies at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Previously, he was a doctoral student with the Air Force Institute of Technology where he completed his doctorate in Defense and Strategic Studies at Missouri State University, located in Arlington, Va. Major Evans focused on the complexities of nuclear deterrence and proliferation, with the aim of developing effective policies that serve national interests.

Major Evans received his commission through Officer Training School in February 2013. He completed Initial Skills Training for Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Operations in August 2014, and since then has held a variety of operational, test, and evaluation positions within the nuclear enterprise, to include: Missileer, Crew Commander, Mission Lead, ICBM Planner, Instructor, Evaluator, and Test Manager. Prior to his current position, Major Evans was the Test Operations Flight Commander for the 576th Flight Test Squadron, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.

2026 Doctorate of Defense and Strategic Studies, Missouri State University, Arlington, Vir.

2024 Air Command and Staff College, Air University, by correspondence

2018 Nuclear Weapons Effect, Proliferation & Policy, Air Force Institute of Technology, by correspondence

2018 Distinguished Graduate, Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.

2017 Master of Science in Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Ark.

2010 Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Wichita State University, Wichita, Kan.

Assistant Professor of Military & Strategic Studies, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. (June 2026 – Present)

Doctoral Student, Air Force Institute of Technology, Missouri State University, Vir. (August 2023 – May 2026)

ICBM Test Operator, ICBM Test Manager, and Flight Commander, 576th Flight Test Squadron, Vandenberg SFB, Calif. (July 2020 – July 2023)

Instructor, ICBM Planner, and Flight Commander, 10th Missile Squadron, Malmstrom AFB, Mont. (August 2017 – July 2020)

Missile Combat Crew Commander and Deputy Crew Commander, and Instructor, 740th Missile Squadron, Minot AFB, N.D. (August 2014 – August 2017)

Student, Initial Skills Training – Minuteman III, 392nd Training Squadron, Vandenberg AFB, Calif. (March 2014 – August 2014)

Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training and Executive Officer Assistant, 71st Operations Group, Vance AFB, Okla. (February 2013 – March 2014)