Commander Griffin “Beaker” Hetrick, United States Navy, is a native of Napa, California. He earned his commission through Rice University NROTC in 2005 and his wings of gold as a Naval Aviator in 2007. His professional background is as an F/A-18 pilot, Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor (TOPGUN Graduate), and Operational Test Pilot. He has completed three combat deployments to the 5th fleet Area of Operations and has served as a Training Officer at the squadron and Strike Fighter Wing levels. His most recent assignment before USAFA was serving as the Executive Officer at NROTCU Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA. He is the recipient of numerous awards and decorations, including the Meritorious Service Medal (2), and Air Medal (Strike/Flight) (2).

Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction with a Specialization in Educational Psychology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (2024).

M.S. in Aeronautical Engineering, Air Force Institute of Technology (2006)

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Rice University (2005)

Air Command and Staff College by correspondence, Air University (2018)

Instructor, Department of Aeronautics, U.S. Air Force Academy, Co. (2024-Present)

Executive Officer, NROTCU VPI, Blacksburg, Va. (2021-2024)

Training Officer, Strike Fighter Wing Atlantic (CSFWL), Virginia Beach, Va. (2018-2021)

Department Head, STRIKE FIGHTER SQUADRON ONE ZERO THREE, Virginia Beach, Va. (2015-2018)

Training Officer, STRIKE FIGHTER SQUADRON ONE FIVE FOUR, Lemoore, Ca. (2015)

AIM-120 Operational Test Director, AIRTEVRON NINE, China Lake, Ca. (2012-2015)

F/A-18F Pilot and AV/ARM Division Officer, STRIKE FIGHTER SQUADRON ELEVEN, Virginia Beach, Va. (2009-2012)