Major Aaron Cross is an Instructor in the Department of Military and Strategic Studies at the U.S. Air Force Academy. His previous assignment was as the Brigade Executive Officer for 1-2 SBCT at JBLM, Washington.

Major Cross received his commission from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 2006 as an Armor Officer. Major Cross holds a Bachelor of Science degree in International Relations from USMA, a Master of Arts in Strategic Studies & International Economics from Johns Hopkins SAIS, and a Master of Military Studies from Marine Corps University. Additionally, Major Cross certified as a Red Team Member through attending the U.S. Army’s University of Foreign Military and Cultural Studies’ Red Team Member course at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

Major Cross has served in both Armor and Cavalry formations within Armored & Stryker Brigade Combat Teams and has over two years troop command time, with one year deployed to Afghanistan. Major Cross has served in numerous staff positions, culminating with his most recent assignment as the Executive Officer for 1-2 SBCT at JBLM, Washington. Major Cross has ground operational experience training partnered nation security forces, with deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan.

Master of Military Studies, Marine Corps Command and Staff College, Marine Corps University, Quantico, Virginia (2017)

Master of Arts, Strategic Studies & International Economics, Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, Washington, D.C. (2016)

Bachelor of Science, International Relations, United States Military Academy, West Point, New York (2006)

Instructor, Department of Military Strategic Studies, U.S. Air Force Academy (July 2020-present)

Stryker Brigade Executive Officer, 1-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, JBLM, WA (June 2019-July 2020)

Cavalry Squadron Operations Officer, 1-14 Cavalry, 1-2 SBCT, JBLM, WA (July 2018-June 2019)

Cavalry Squadron Executive Officer, 1-14 Cavalry, 1-2 SBCT, JBLM, WA (August 2017-July 2018)

Student, Marine Corps Command & Staff College, Quantico, VA (June 2016-June 2017)

Student, Johns Hopkins SAIS, Washington, D.C. (May 2014-June 2016)

Executive Officer, Rear Detachment, 2-4 Armored Brigade Combat Team, Fort Carson, CO (November 2013-May 2014)

Cavalry Troop Commander, Headquarters & Headquarters Troop, 1-10 Cavalry, 2-4 ABCT, Fort Carson, CO (September 2012-November 2013)

Cavalry Troop Commander, A Troop, 1-10 Cavalry, 2-4 ABCT, Fort Carson, CO & Afghanistan (August 2011-September 2012)

Operations Officer, Command Group, 2-4 ABCT, Fort Carson, CO (May 2010-August 2011)

Student, Maneuver Captain’s Career Course, Fort Knox, KY (September 2009-May 2010)

Tank Company Executive Officer, C Company, 2-12 Cavalry, Fort Hood, TX & Iraq (March 2008-September 2009)

Tank Platoon Leader, C Company, 3-67 Armor, Fort Hood, TX (February 2007-March 2008)

Order of St. George, Bronze recipient (2012)

George S. Patton Tactics Award, Maneuver Captain’s Career Course, Fort Knox, KY (2010)

Multi-domain joint operations

Military organizations

Strategic theory & practice

History of the military art

Cavalry / reconnaissance & security operations