United States Air Force Academy

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Lieutenant Colonel Terry Coulter

Deputy Department Head

Department of Law

Lt Col Coulter
Contact Information

(719) 333-2833

Email

Bio

Lt Col Coulter serves as the Deputy Department Head and an Assistant Professor of Law at the U.S. Air Force Academy.  He teaches Law for Air Force Officers, a core course for all cadets.

Lt Col Coulter received his undergraduate degree at Grove City College, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Biology.  He later graduated from Duquesne University School of Law.  Lt Col Coulter has served as the Chief of Operations for the Office of Military Commissions, Director of Staff for the Military Justice and Discipline domain, Chief of Justice and Court Activities for the Air Force Military Justice Law & Policy Division, as a prosecutor and as an Area Defense Counsel.

Education

Bachelor of Science, Biology, Grove City College, Grove City, Pennsylvania

Juris Doctor, Duquesne University School of Law, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Squadron Officer’s School, Chief of Staff Award

Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence

Air War College, by correspondence

Professional Experience

Deputy Department Head, Assistant Professor of Law, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado (2024-present)

Chief of Operations, Office of Military Commissions, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Pentagon (2021-2024)

Director of Staff, Military Justice and Discipline Domain, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland (2020-2021)

Chief of Justice and Court Activities, Military Justice Division, Air Force Legal Operations Agency, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland (2018-2020)

Assistant Professor of Law, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado (2015-2018)

Area Defense Counsel, Air Force Legal Operations Agency, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico (2013-2015)

Chief of Military Justice, Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico (2012-2013)

Assistant Staff Judge Advocate (Chief of Legal Assistance, Claims, Inspector General Complaints, Operations Law, Magistrate Court and Administrative Discharges), Air Armament Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida (2009-2012)

Honors & Awards

Defense Meritorious Service Medal Air Force Meritorious Service Medal

Joint Service Commendation Medal

Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Two Bronze Campaign Stars

Air Force Overseas Ribbon – Short Tour

Non-Article 5 NATO Medal