LtCol Cory Frederick is an instructor of Military & Strategic Studies at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Previously, he served as the lead war planner at III Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF), Okinawa, Japan, covering the priority plan within U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM). He led numerous operational planning teams during joint and multi-lateral events, and participated in all-domain wargames across the range of military operations at the Secretary of War (SecWar) and Combatant Command level. These efforts concluded with drafting the PACOM’s priority plan, and subsequent service support plans.

LtCol Frederick entered the Marine Corps in 2007 through Officer Candidates School and has served most of his career in the operational forces as an MV-22 pilot. He served in multiple squadrons in the operations department, including as the operations officer, weapons school instructor, and squadron weapons officer. He has multiple sea and shore-based deployments including support to PACOM, AFRICOM, and CENTCOM operations. After 16 years in the operational force, LtCol Frederick was selected to attend the School of Advanced Warfighting, and subsequently returned to the fleet to plan and draft war plans in support of the PACOM’s priority plan guidance.

Master of Arts, Operational Studies, School of Advanced Warfighting (2022-2023)

Command and Staff College (2018-2019)

Expeditionary Warfare School (2016-2017)

Bachelor of Science, Aeronautical Science & Aviation Management (2003-2007)

East Asia Plans Officer, G5-War Plans, III MEF, Okinawa, Japan (2023-2026)

Operations Officer, VMM-261, New River, NC (2020-2022)

Weapons School Instructor, MAWTS-1, Yuma, AZ (2017-2020)

Weapons Officer, VMM-262, Okinawa, Japan (2013-2016)

Current Operations Officer, VMM-363, San Diego, CA (2012-2013)

Meritorious Service Medal with gold star

Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star

Distinguished Graduate, Expeditionary Warfare School

Campaigning, Competition, and Alliances

Deterrence between Superpowers

Joint All-Domain Operations

Future aviation capabilities