Col Michael W. Povilus is the Director of Strategic Plans, Requirements and Future Conflict at Headquarters, U.S. Air Force Academy. He also serves as the Director of the Academy’s Institute for Future Conflict. Previously, he was Dean of Students and Professor of Strategy & Security Studies at the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies (SAASS), Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.

Prior to assuming his faculty position at SAASS, Col Povilus commanded the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment 195 at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, Ill. He also served as the Chief of the Arms Control Implementation Unit for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, Russia.

Col Povilus graduated from the University of Florida in 1996 and received his commission from Officer Training School in 2003. He has completed multiple tours as both an air battle manager and a foreign area officer. He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom while assigned to the 7th Expeditionary Airborne Command and Control Squadron. Col Povilus also became the Air Force’s first-ever Social-Cultural Affairs Branch Chief while deployed to the Theater Security Cooperation Division in Kyrgyzstan.

Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Political Science, Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill. (2020)

Senior Developmental Education, Advanced Studies Group PhD Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill. (2018)

Master of Philosophy Degree in Military Strategy, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (2017)

Master of Science Degree in Airpower Strategy and Technology Integration, Blue Horizons Program, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (2016)

Distinguished Graduate, Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (2008)

Master of Arts Degree in East European Studies, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany (2008)

Master of Business Administration Degree, University of Liverpool, England (2001)

Bachelor of Arts Degree in Russian Studies, University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla. (1996)

Director, Strategic Plans, Requirements, & Future Conflict, Headquarters U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. (June 2026 – Present)

Professor of Strategy & Security Studies, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (June 2022 – June 2026)

Commander, Air Force ROTC Detachment 195, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Ill. (June 2020 – June 2022)

Air Force Institute of Technology PhD Student, Northwestern University, Chicago, Ill. (June 2017 – June 2020)

Student, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (June 2016 – June 2017)

Fellow, Blue Horizons Program, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (July 2015 – June 2016)

Chief of Arms Control Implementation, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, U.S. Embassy, Moscow, Russia (January 2015 – March 2015, Service Chief Fellow, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Va.) (October 2013 – July 2015)

Assistant Director of Operations, 16th ACCS, Robins AFB, Ga. (March 2013 – September 2013)

Chief of Readiness and Instructor Senior Director, 16th Airborne Command and Control Squadron, Robins AFB, Ga. (October 2012 – January 2013, Supervisor of Flying and Senior Director for Combat Crew 6, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, Al Udeid AB, Qatar) (May 2012 – February 2013)

E-8C Senior Director, 16th Airborne Command & Control Squadron, Robins AFB, Ga. (December 2011 – April 2012)

Student and E-8C Senior Director, 330th Combat Training Squadron, Robins AFB, Ga. (April 2011 – October 2011, Chief, Social-Cultural Branch, Theater Security Cooperation, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing, Transit Center at Manas International Airport, Kyrgyzstan) (July 2010 – December 2011)

Chief of Flying Training Unit Weapons Section and Evaluator Senior Director, NATO E-3A Training Wing, Geilenkirchen AB, Germany (February 2009 – July 2010)

Chief of Wing Weapons Instruction, NATO E-3A Training Wing, Geilenkirchen AB, Germany (March 2008 – February 2009)

Flight Commander and Air Weapons Officer, NATO E-3A Squadron 1, Geilenkirchen AB, Germany (February 2007 – March 2008)

E-3A Student, NATO Weapons Controller Course, Geilenkirchen Air Base, Germany (June 2006 – February 2007)

Flight Commander, 932d Air Control Squadron, Keflavik Naval Air Station, Iceland (November 2004 – June 2006)

Student, Undergraduate Air Battle Manager Training, Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. (April 2003 – October 2004)

Defense Meritorious Service Medal

Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster

Air Medal

Aerial Achievement Medal

Joint Service Commendation Medal

Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster

Joint Service Achievement Medal

Air Force Achievement Medal

Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal

NATO Medal

Flight Information

Rating: Senior Air Battle Manager

Flight hours: More than 1600

Aircraft flown: E-3A, E-8C