Lieutenant Colonel Daniel H. Bolin is the Chief of the Education Division at the Center for Character and Leadership Development, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado. The Center’s mission is to serve the Air Force Academy by advancing character and leadership development to prepare graduates for service to the nation. He is responsible for supporting professional development for cadets, faculty, and staff, and integrating character and leadership development programs across the 4,000-member Cadet Wing.

Lt Col Bolin is a 2005 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. Following the Academy, he attended pilot training at Moody Air Force Base, GA and Fort Rucker, AL. His operational assignments include Yokota Air Base, Japan, Davis-Monthan AB, AZ, Data-Masked, and Andrews AFB, MD. Lt Col Bolin has deployed multiple times and is an instructor and evaluator pilot. His past jobs have included Squadron and Wing Executive Officer, Flight Commander, Chief of Operational Group Stan/Eval, and Squadron Director of Operations. Additionally, Lt Col Bolin served as the Air University Liaison Officer to the Air Force Academy. In 2022, he was selected to attend a doctoral program at the University of London, School of Advanced Studies.

Doctorate in Philosophy, University of London, Institute of Historical Research, in-residence, London, UK (2025)

Air War College, Distance Learning (2025)

Masters in Military Operational Art and Science, Air Command and Staff College, in-residence, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (2019)

Advanced Instrument School (2015)

Aircraft Mishap Investigation Course/Aviation Program Safety Management Course (2012)

Master of Science in Health Sciences, Emergency and Disaster Management, Trident University (2012)

Squadron Officer School, in-residence, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (2010)

Bachelor of Science, Behavioral Sciences, U.S. Air Force Academy. (2005)

Chief, Integration Division, Center for Character and Leadership Development, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Jul 2025 – Present)

Doctoral Student, University of London – School of Advanced Studies/Institute of Historical Research (Jul 2022 – Jul 2025)

Air University Liaison to the Air Force Academy (Jan 2020 – Jul 2022)

Director of Operations, 21st Student Squadron and Professional Military Education Instructor, Department of Airpower, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (Jun 2019 – Jan 2020)

Student and Flight Commander in Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (Jun 2018 – Jun 2019)

Director of Staff, UH-1N Special Mission Instructor Pilot, 1st Helicopter Squadron, Joint Base Andrews, Md. (Jun 2017 – Apr 2018)

Wing Executive Officer, Chief of OGV, HH-60 Evaluator Pilot, and Flight Commander, Data-Masked. (Jun 2013 – Jun 2017)

55th Rescue Squadron Executive Officer, Chief of Safety, Mobility Officer, HH-60 Flight Lead (Jun 2009 – Jun 2013)

Squadron Scheduling Officer, Standardization and Liaison Officer, UH-1N Aircraft Commander, 459th Airlift Squadron, Yokota Air Base, Japan. (Sep 2007 – Dec 2009)

Student Pilot, Moody AFB GA, Fort Rucker, Alabama, and Kirtland AFB, N. Mex. (Jun 2005 – Sep 2007)

Professional Experience

Rating: Command Pilot

Flight hours: over 2000, 291 combat hours

Aircraft flown: UH-1N and HH-60

Distinguished Flying Cross

Air Medal with Valor Device (fifteen oak leaf clusters)

AF Combat Action Medal

Wing Daedalian Pilot of the Year

Operations Group FGO of the Year

U.S. Air Force Academy Distinguished Graduate, Military-Athletic-Academic Distinction

U.S. Air Force Academy Scholar Athlete of the Year 2005

Military Diplomacy in the Modern Era

British and American influences on the evolution of Military Sports Diplomacy

Stoic Philosophy and Ethical Leadership in the Profession of Arms

Fostering a Virtuous Warrior Ethos in the Modern Profession of Arms