Major Robert J. Poisson III is an Instructor of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership and T-53A Instructor Pilot at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado. He leads and assesses 320 cadets through two academic classes and teaches Powered Flight Fundamentals and Training courses in the $524,000 T-53A. Maj Poisson mentors 11 future leaders of character through their journey to officership as an academic advisor.

Maj Poisson gained his Air Force commission in 2012 as a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and has been on active service for twelve years. He was a distinguished graduate of the Air Force Institute of Technology in 2014 and subsequently attended Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi. Maj Poisson has since served in various assignments as T-1A, C-130J, and T-53A Instructor Pilot, including two combat airlift deployments to the Horn of Africa.

Prior to his current position, the Major served as the Director of Staff, C-130J Instructor Pilot, 19th Operations Support Squadron at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas.

Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., by correspondence (2022)

Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (2017)

Master Resilience Training, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (2017)

Master of Science, Systems Engineering, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson Air force Base, Ohio (2014)

Bachelor of Science, Behavioral Sciences – Human Factors, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. (2012)

Behavioral Sciences and Leadership Instructor, T-53A Instructor Pilot, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. (June 2023-Present)

Director of Staff, C-130J Aircraft Commander, 19th Operations Support Squadron, Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. (September 2021-December 2021) C-130J Aircraft Commander, 75th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, Camp Lemonnier, Republic of Djibouti) (July 2021-June 2023)

Chief of Mobility, C-130J Pilot, 61st Airlift Squadron, Little Rock AFB, Ark. (August 2020-June 2021)

Training Officer, C-130J Pilot, 61st Airlift Squadron, Little Rock AFB, Ark. (May 2020-September 2020) Tactician, C-130J Pilot, 75th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, Camp Lemonnier, Republic of Djibouti (October 2019-July 2020)

Flight Commander, T-1A Instructor Pilot, 48th Flying Training Squadron, Columbus Air Force Base, Miss. (March 2018-September 2019)

Executive Officer, T-1A Instructor Pilot, 48th Flying Training Squadron, Columbus AFB, Miss. (June 2017-February 2018)

Flight Scheduler, T-1A Instructor Pilot, 48th Flying Training Squadron, Columbus AFB, Miss. (December 2016-May 2017)

T-1A Instructor Pilot, 48th Flying Training Squadron, Columbus AFB, Miss. (November 2015-November 2016)

Student Pilot, Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, Columbus AFB, Miss. (April 2014-October 2015)

Graduate Student, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio (March 2012-March 2014)

Flight Information

Rating: Senior Pilot

Flight hours: More than 2,000

Aircraft flown: TG-10B, DA-40, DA-20, T-6A, T-1A, C-130J, T-53A

Air Medal

Aerial Achievement Medal

Meritorious Service Medal

Air and Space Commendation Medal

Air and Space Achievement Medal

Meritorious Unit Award

Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with five oak leaf clusters