Bio
Major Keith Burton currently serves as an instructor and the executive officer in the Department of Political Science at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado. As an Instructor of Political Science he teaches classes on American Government, Politics, and National Security.
Major Burton was born in Saint Louis, Missouri and grew up in O’Fallon, Illinois. He received his commission in 2012 as a graduate of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. He has held various leadership positions during his career including Chief, Military Personnel Section, Flight Commander, and Director of Special Projects and Events for a Wing Commander’s Action Group. He has served in major USAF operations including Operation INHERENT RESOLVE, Operation FREEDOM SENTINEL, and Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
Education
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL (2012)
Master of Arts Degree in Political Science, American University, Washington, D.C. (2020)
Professional Experience
Chief, Readiness & Plans, 55th Force Support Squadron, Offutt Air Force Base, NE (2012-2013)
Chief, Military Personnel Section, 55th Force Support Squadron, Offutt Air Force Base, NE (2013)
Deputy Chief of Protocol, 55th Wing, Offutt Air Force Base, NE (2013-2015)
Deputy Chief of Protocol, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, Qatar (2015)
Chief, Military Personnel Section, 60th Force Support Squadron, Travis Air Force Base, CA (2015-2016)
Chief of Protocol, 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, Kuwait (2017)
Sustainment Services Flight Commander, 60th Force Support Squadron, Travis Air Force Base, CA (2017-2018)
Director, Special Projects and Events, Wing Commander’s Action Group, 60th Air Mobility Wing, Travis Air Force Base, CA (2018-2019)
Graduate Student, MA Political Science Candidate, American University, Washington, D.C. (2019-2020)
Instructor of Political Science, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO (2020-Present)
Honors & Awards
Air Force Commendation Medal with one device
Air Force Achievement Medal
Meritorious Unit Award with one device
AF Outstanding Unit Award with one device National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border
Research and Scholarly Interests
American Politics
Political Psychology
Campaigns & Elections