Major Buck is the Assistant Director of Operations and Instructor of Biology, Department of Biology, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado. He and his team design and implement biology coursework designed to create awareness, appreciation, and an understanding of biology and the principles of scientific reasoning.

Major Buck received his commission from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 2012. After a brief stint as a Casual Lt in the Department of Biology at the U.S. Air Force Academy, he attended Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training at Laughlin AFB, Texas. He then served in numerous positions within the AFSOC C-146 community, including Chief of Fixed Wing Global Force Management, Hurlburt Field, Florida. He was selected for the Faculty Pipeline at the U.S. Air Force Academy Department of Biology and attended an AFIT Civil Institute program at the University of Colorado, Boulder, in 2020. Upon graduation, he returned to flying operations within the AFSOC C-146 community and served in many roles including Chief of Safety, Chief of Standardization and Evaluation, and as an expeditionary Squadron Commander.

Air Command and Staff College (correspondence) (2024)

Aviation Mishap Investigation School, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas (2022)

Master of Arts in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colo. (2021)

Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (2018)

Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, Spanish Minor, US. Air Force Academy, Colo. (2012)

Assistant Director of Operation and Instructor of Biology, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. (2025 – Present)

C-146A Evaluator Pilot & Chief of Standardization & Evaluation, Duke Field, Fla. (2024 – 2025)

C-146A Instructor Pilot & Assistant Director of Operations, Duke Field, Fla. (2024)

C-146A Instructor Pilot & Chief of Safety, Duke Field, Fla. (2022 – 2024)

Air Force Institute of Technology Civilian Institution Graduate Student, Boulder, Colo. (2020 – 2022)

C-146A Aircraft Commander & Chief of Fixed Wing Global Force Management, Hurlburt Field, Fla. (2019 – 2022)

C-146A Aircraft Commander & Tactics Officer, Duke Field, Fla. (2018 – 2019)

C-146A Copilot / Aircraft Commander & Mobility Officer, Cannon AFB, N.M. & Duke Field, Fla. (2014 – 2018)

C-146A Initial & Mission Qualification Training (2014)

Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training (2013 – 2014)

Meritorious Service Medal, 1 Oak Leaf Cluster

Aerial Achievement Medal, 1 Oak Leaf Cluster

Air and Space Commendation Medal, 1 Oak Leaf Cluster

Air and Space Achievement Medal

Air and Space Overseas Service Ribbon Long

Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon

Air and Space Longevity Service Award, 3 Oak Leaf Clusters

Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon,1 Service Star

Habitat fragmentation and restoration

Biology Education Research and pedagogical methods for teaching ecology and evolution

How birds stay up there