Colonel Brandon J. Tellez is the Commandant of Cadets, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. He commands the 4,300-member Cadet Wing and more than 200 Air Force and civilian personnel. He guides military, leadership, character development, Basic Cadet Training and Expeditionary Skills Training for the Air Force Cadet Wing in addition to providing facilities and logistical support.

Col. Tellez received his commission from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 2001. After earning his wings from the Euro NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, he reported to his first operational assignment at Langley AFB, Va. Flying the F-15C before transitioning to the F-22A, Col. Tellez has served four flying tours in addition to several deployments around the world culminating in his command of the 1st Fighter Wing at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va. Col. Tellez is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Weapons School with ~2500 hours of flight time, including 300 hours of combat. He received a Master of Business Administration from the University of Pittsburgh’s Katz School and a master’s degree in National Security Resourcing Strategy from the Eisenhower School.

Prior to his current assignment, he served as the Senior Executive Officer to the Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force.

Master of National Security Resourcing Strategy, The Eisenhower School, National Defense University, Washington, D.C. (2018)

Advanced Studies Group, Maritime Advanced Warfighting School, Newport, R.I. (2012)

Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. (Correspondence) (2012)

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

Master of Business Finance, Katz School of Business, University of Pittsburgh, Pa. (2002)

Bachelor of Science, Management and Pre-Med, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. (2001)

Commandant of Cadets, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. (May 2026-Present)

Senior Executive Officer to the Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. (2025-2026)

Commander, 1st Fighter Wing, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va. (2023-2025)

Commander, 1st Operations Group, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va. (2021-2023)

Operations Research Analyst, Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation, Office of the Secretary of Defense (2018-2021)

Graduate Student, Eisenhower School, National Defense University, Washington, D.C. (2017-2018)

Commander, 525th Fighter Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska (2015-2017)

Chief of Safety, 3rd Wing, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska (2014-2015)

Squadron/Wing Weapons Officer/Director of Operations, 7th Fighter Squadron, Holloman AFB, N.M. (2010-2014)

Student, United States Air Force Weapons School, 433rd Weapons Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev. (2009)

F-22A Instructor Pilot, Flight Commander, 27th Fighter Squadron, Langley AFB, Va. (2007-2009)

Student, F-22A Initial Qualification Training, Tyndall AFB, Fla. (2007)

F-15C Mission Commander, Electronic Combat Officer, 71st Fighter Squadron, Langley AFB, Va. (2004-2007)

Student, F-15C Initial Qualification Training, Tyndall AFB, Fla. (2004)

Student, Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training/IFF, Sheppard AFB, Texas (2002-2004)

Student, Katz School of Business, Pittsburgh, Pa. (2001-2002)

Summary of Joint Assignments

Operations Research Analyst, Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation, Office of the Secretary of Defense (2018-2021)

Flight Information

Rating: Command Pilot

Flight Hours: More than 2,500 including 300 hours of combat

Primary Aircraft Flown: F-22A, F-15C/D and T-38A/C

Defense Superior Service Medal

Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster

Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters

Air Medal

Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal

Meritorious Unit Award with one oak leaf cluster

Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal

Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with eight oak leaf clusters

Effective Dates of Promotion

Colonel Feb. 1, 2021

Lieutenant Colonel Feb. 1, 2015

Major Jan. 1, 2011

Captain May 30, 2005

First Lieutenant May 30, 2003

Second Lieutenant May 30, 2001

(Current as of May 2026)