Maj Tara B. Holmes is the Chief, Cadet Development, Center for Character and Leadership Development (CCLD), United State Air Force Academy, Colo. In this role, she leads character and leadership development for 4,200 Academy cadets and oversees the 152-member cadet staff. Maj Holmes plans, organizes, and executes developmental programs focused on cadet character and honor education, while also integrating efforts across Academy faculty and staff, the 10th Air Base Wing, and other Military Service Academies.

Maj Holmes grew up as an Army brat, and claims Leavenworth, Kan., as her hometown. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Park University, Parkville, Mo., in 2010, and received her commission through Officer Training School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. in 2011. Maj Holmes has served in several instructor roles throughout her career. She earned her instructor qualification as an electronic warfare officer (EWO) on the B-52H Stratofortress in 2016 while serving as the executive officer to the commander, 69th Bomb Squadron, Minot AFB, N.D. In 2017, Maj Holmes accepted an assignment as a flight commander and instructor combat systems officer (CSO) on the T-1A Jayhawk for the 479th Student Squadron, Pensacola NAS, Fla. Maj Holmes then served as an instructor and flight commander at Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala., from 2019 to 2021. There, she created and led advanced research electives that directly supported six Department of the Air Force Barrier Analysis Working Groups; authored, trained, and executed a curriculum on design thinking methods; and earned a Women in Leadership certificate from Cornell. Prior to her current position, Maj Holmes spent three years as a graduate student at the University of Maryland, College Park, where she earned a PhD in Business and Management with a specialization in organizational behavior and human resource management. She also served as the graduate student representative on two of the university’s senate committees.

Maj Holmes is an Air Education and Training Command Master Instructor and is credited with 21 Pacific Power Projection missions over two Continuous Bomber presence deployments.

Doctor of Philosophy, Management and Organization, University of Maryland, College Park (2024)

Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., by correspondence (2024)

Master of Arts, National Security Studies, American Military University, Charles Town, W.Va. (2019)

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

Bachelor of Arts, Business Administration, Park University, Parkville, Mo. (2010)

Chief, Cadet Development, Center for Character and Leadership Development, United States Air Force Academy, Colo. (June 2024-Present)

Air Force Institute of Technology PhD Student, University of Maryland, College Park (June 2021-June 2024)

Academic Program Manager, Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. (June 2020-June 2021)

Instructor/Flight Commander, 32d Student Squadron, Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (May 2019-June 2020)

Flight Commander/T-1A ICSO, 479th Student Squadron, Pensacola Naval Air Station, Fla. (February 2018-May 2019)

Assistant Flight Commander/T-1A Instructor CSO, 479th Student Squadron, Pensacola NAS, Fla. (August 2017-February 2018)

Defensive Plans/B-52 IEWO, 5th Operations Support Squadron, Minot AFB, N.D. (September 2016-August 2017)

Executive Officer/B-52 Instructor EWO, 69th Bomb Squadron, Minot AFB, N.D. (May 2016-August 2016, Executive Officer/B-52 IEWO, 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Andersen AFB, Guam) (May 2016-September 2016)

Executive Officer/B-52 EWO, 69th Bomb Squadron, Minot AFB, N.D. (September 2015-May 2016)

B-52 EWO, 69th Bomb Squadron, Minot AFB, N.D. (March 2014-September 2014, B-52 EWO, 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Andersen AFB, Guam) (December 2013-June 2015)

B-52 Student Electronic Warfare Officer, Barksdale AFB, La. (January 2013-December 2013)

Undergraduate Combat Systems Officer Student, Pensacola NAS, Fla. (June 2011-January 2013)

Officer Trainee, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. (March 2011-June 2011)

Meritorious Service Medal

Aerial Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster

Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster

Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award

Air and Space Organizational Excellence Award

Other Achievements

Brig Gen Wilma Vaught Visionary Leadership Award, Air Education and Training Command (2020)

Daughters of the American Revolution Aviator of the Year (2018)

Instructor CSO of the Year, 12th Flying Training Wing (2018)

Effective Dates of Promotion

Major April 01, 2021

Captain May 27, 2015

First Lieutenant May 27, 2013

Second Lieutenant May 27, 2011