Bio
Lt Col Toms is a Senior Pilot with over 450 combat sorties and 3,699 flying hours in the T-37, T-1, C-17A, MC-12, T-6 and other light, single-engine aircraft. She enjoys reading, mountaineering, spirited conversations over homemade dinner, and creating outdoor adventures with her husband, an Oxford-educated Software Engineer, and their delightful children.
Education
Certificate in Higher Education Teaching, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts (2022)
Doctor of Philosophy, Philosophy, Baylor University, Waco, Texas (2021)
Master of Arts, Philosophy, Columbia University, New York, New York (2015)
Master of Arts, Theological Studies, Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary and Graduate School, Lynchburg, Virginia (2010)
Air Force Mishap Investigations Course, Kirtland AFB (2011)
Air Force Trained Victim Advocate, McChord AFB (2008)
Certified Fitness Trainer, International Sports Science Association (2005)
Bachelor of Science, Political Science, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado (2003)
Professional Experience
Assistant Professor, Dept of Philosophy, USAF Academy, Colorado
Doctoral Student, Baylor University, Texas
Instructor of Philosophy, Dept of Philosophy, USAF Academy, Colorado
Master’s Student, Columbia University, New York
C-17 Instructor Pilot, Travis AFB, California
MC-12 Mission Commander, Flight Commander, ISAF, Kandahar AFB, Afghanistan
C-17 Instructor Pilot, McChord AFB, Washington
Honors & Awards
Outstanding Academy Educator (2018)
Marksmanship: “Expert” in M-9, M-16, and M-5 weapons
Military-Citizen of the Year (McChord AFB)
Airlift-Tanker Association Young Leader Award
Ten Outstanding Young Americans (Air Mobility Command’s nominee)
Various Mission Excellence and Safety Awards (2005-2014)
Research and Scholarly Interests
Virtue Ethics/Character Development
Metaethics
Aristotle
Stoicism
Philosophy of Religion
Publications
“‘Officers of Character’: What is Means, Why We Need it, and How We Mandate it.” Journal of Character & Leadership Development, Fall 2023
Doctoral Dissertation: “Virtue Ethics & Character Education at the United States Air Force Academy” (2021)
International Society for Military Ethics annual conference, “It’s Not About the Pushups: Can Physical Training Develop Martial Virtue?” (2023)
Army War College Joint Professional Military Ethics Working Group invited to present “The Case for Virtue Ethics in the Military” (2023)
Oxford University “Jubilee Center for Character and Virtue” 10th anniversary conference, “Slipping the Surly Bonds of Foolishness: Developing and Sustaining Wisdom in Military Pilots” (2022)
Oxford University, “Just War Scholars Confabulation” Christ Church College, invited to present (2020)
Oxford University, Character in the Profession of Arms, “Current Efforts of Character Education in the US Military” MacDonald Center, Christ Church College (2019)
Annual Conference, American Catholic Philosophers Association, presented “How to Get a Chicken or Egg When You Start with Neither: Can We Solve the Paradox of Becoming Virtuous?” (2021)
International Society for Military Ethics, Annual Conference. Panel discussion with Dr. Dan Strand and Lt Col Joe Chapa, DPhil, on his book “Is Remote Warfare Moral?” (July 2022)
Arnold Air Society, annual regional conference “Virtue, Character & Philosophy: Why You Should Care” (2021)
Order of the Daedalians, Travis AFB chapter, dinner speaker: “Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance Operations in Afghanistan: Today and in the Future” (2013)