Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Smith is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the US Air Force Academy.  After graduating from the US Air Force Academy in 2005, he attended joint pilot training programs at Vance Air Force Base and Corpus Christi Naval Air Station. As a mobility pilot, he served in the roles of aircraft commander, instructor pilot, evaluator pilot, mission commander, detachment commander, and foreign military air advisor. Lieutenant Colonel Smith has flown over 800 combat hours while serving during Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn, Freedom’s Sentinel, and Inherent Resolve. While serving on the US Air Forces Central Command staff, he coordinated the commander’s senior leader engagements and acted as the command’s representative for organizational innovation. His doctoral research explored the comparative professionalism of militaries over time and introduced a measurement of military professionalization. His wife Melissa is a third-generation Air Force veteran, and they have two wonderful children.

Ph.D., Political Science, Florida State University (2022)

Master of Science, Political Science, Florida State University (2021)

Master of Arts, Military Operational Arts and Sciences, Air Command and Staff College (2017)

Master of Arts, International Relations and Conflict Resolution, American Military University (2013)

Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, AL (Distinguished Graduate) (2012)

Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering, US Air Force Academy (2005)

Executive Officer, 14th Weapons Squadron, Hurlburt Field, FL (2005 – 2006)

Student Pilot, Vance AFB, OK & Corpus Christi NAS, TX (2006-2007)

Unit Deployment Manager and C-130 Pilot, 39th Airlift Squadron, Dyess AFB, TX (2008-2010)

Officer Scheduler and C-130 Aircraft Commander, 36th Airlift Squadron, Yokota AB, Japan (2010-2011)

Current Operations Flight Commander and C-130 Instructor Pilot, 374th Operations Support Squadron, Yokota AB, Japan (2012)

Executive Officer and C-130 Instructor/Evaluator Pilot, 374th Operations Group, Yokota AB, Japan (2012-2014)

Chief of Command Post and KC-135 Aircraft Command, 6th Air Refueling Wing, MacDill AFB, FL (2015-2016)

Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL (2016-2017)

Deputy Chief, Commander’s Action Group, US Air Forces Central Command, Al Udeid AB, Qatar (2017-2018)

Chief Innovation Officer, US Air Forces Central Command, Al Udeid AB, Qatar (2018-2019)

Student, Air Force Institute of Technology Civilian Institution Program, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL (2019-2022)

Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster

Air Medal with six oak leaf clusters

Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster

International relations, conflict, professionalism, technology and innovation