Col. Pete Gryzen is the Vice Commandant of Cadets, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado. As Vice Commandant, he assists the Commandant in overseeing the 4,000-member cadet wing and more than 200 Air Force and civilian support personnel.

Prior to assuming his current assignment, he served as the Associate Director of Logistics, Engineering, and Force Protection, Headquarters Air Combat Command, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. He was the primary military advisor to the director, leading a team of 300 people across 12 divisions, executing a $5.5 billion annual budget. He also provided oversight and support to 42,000 personnel in 34 wings at 19 bases and 70 operating locations worldwide, as they organize, train, and equip forces in support of combatant commander warfighting requirements.

Col. Gryzen graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Bio-Chemistry. He is an aircraft maintenance officer with operational and test and development experience on A-10/C-130/E-3/F-15/F-16/HH-60/KC-135/UH-1N aircraft. He served in a variety of positions at the squadron, group, numbered air force, direct reporting unit, MAJCOM, and Headquarters United States Air Force levels. He deployed in support of Operations SOUTHERN WATCH, IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM. Prior to assuming his current position, he commanded the 354th Maintenance Group at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska.

Air Force Enterprise Leadership Seminar, Kenan-Flagler Business School, Chapel Hill, N.C. (2018)

Master of Science, National Security Strategy, National War College, Fort McNair, Washington D.C. (2017)

DOD Center of Excellence in Logistics and Technology Program in Advanced Logistics and Technology Course, Kenan-Flagler Business School, Chapel Hill, N.C. (2015)

Air War College, by correspondence (2013)

Master of Science, Military Operational Art & Science, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (2009)

Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence (2007)

Distinguished Graduate, Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (2003)

Aircraft Maintenance Officer Course, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas (1997)

Bachelor of Science, Bio-Chemistry, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. (1997)

Vice Commandant of Cadets, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. (July 2023 – Present)

Associate Director of Logistics, Engineering and Force Protection, Headquarters Air Combat Command, JB Langley-Eustis, Va. (June 2020 – July 2023)

Chief, Combat Aircraft Division, Directorate of Logistics, Engineering and Force Protection, Headquarters Air Combat Command, JB Langley-Eustis, Va. (August 2019 – June 2020)

Commander, 354th Maintenance Group, Eielson AFB, Alaska (June 2017 – July 2019)

Student, National War College, Fort McNair, Washington D.C. (August 2016 – June 2017)

Chief, F-35 Planning/Programming Branch, Combat Forces Division, Directorate of Strategic Plans, Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Plans and Requirements, the Pentagon, Washington D.C. (August 2015 – August 2016)

Deputy Commander, 18th Maintenance Group, Kadena AB, Japan (July 2013 – August 2015)

Commander, Cadet Group Four, Commandant of Cadets, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. (May 2011 – June 2013)

Executive Officer to the Superintendent, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. (July 2010 – May 2011)

Commander, 8th Maintenance Operations Squadron, Kunsan AB, Republic of Korea (June 2009 – June 2010)

Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (July 2008 – June 2009)

Deputy Director, Production Operations, Headquarters Second Air Force, Keesler AFB, Miss. (March 2007 – June 2008)

Executive Officer to the Commander, Headquarters Second Air Force, Keesler AFB, Miss. (January 2006 – March 2007)

Instructor and Instructor Supervisor, Aircraft and Munitions Maintenance Officer Courses, Sheppard AFB, Texas (June 2003 – December 2005)

510th Aircraft Maintenance Unit Assistant Officer in Charge, 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Aviano AB, Italy (June 2002 – June 2003)

Munitions Flight Commander, 31st Maintenance Squadron, Aviano AB, Italy (June 2001 – May 2002)

Operations Flight Commander, 31st Logistics Support Squadron, Aviano AB, Italy (June 2000 – June 2001)

Sortie Generation Officer in Charge, 40th Flight Test Squadron, Eglin AFB, Fla. (March 1999 – June 2000)

Propulsion Flight Commander, 46th Maintenance Squadron, Eglin AFB, Fla. (June 1998 – February 1999)

Accessory Flight Commander, 46th Maintenance Squadron, Eglin AFB, Fla. (October 1997 – June 1998)

Student, Aircraft Maintenance and Munitions Officer Course, Sheppard AFB, Texas (July 1997 – October 1997)

Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster

Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters

Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster

Air Force Achievement Medal

National Defense Service Medal

Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal

Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal

Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

Korean Defense Medal

Humanitarian Service Medal

Air & Space Campaign Medal

Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal

NATO Medal

Effective Dates of Promotion

Colonel April 1, 2017

Lieutenant Colonel Dec. 1, 2010

Major Dec. 1, 2006

Captain May 28, 2001

First Lieutenant May 28, 1999

Second Lieutenant May 28, 1997

(Current as of December 2024)