Major Derek Hartman is the Branch Chief of Character Education for the Center for Character and Leader Development at the U.S Air Force Academy. In this capacity he plays a pivotal role in enhancing the understanding and application of effective character and leadership development practices across military, academic, and athletic environments for Cadets.

Major Derek Hartman commissioned from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 2014 as an Army Engineer Officer. He has held numerous leadership and staff positions across the Army including Route Clearance Platoon Leader, Company Commander, and Battalion Operations Officer. Additionally, he taught at Penn State as part of their Army Reserve Officer Training Corps program. In 2022, he transitioned to the Space Force and began working at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station for the 5th Space Launch Squadron as their Chief of Innovation. He then served as the Deputy Director for the Capabilities Development Division working to modernize the Launch and Test Range Sensor Systems.

Space 100, Patrick Space Force Base, Fla. (2023)

Air Force Fundamentals of Acquisition Management, Remote Learning (2022)

Masters of Science, Engineering Management, Missouri S&T, Rolla, Mo. (2018)

Engineer Captains Career Course (SOS Equivalent), Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. (2018)

Route Reconnaissance and Clearance Leader Course, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. (2015)

Engineer Basic Officers Leaders Course, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. (2014)

Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering, United States Military Academy, West Point, N.Y. (2014)

Modern Army Combative Program Level 1 & 2, West Point, N.Y. (2011)

Branch Chief of Character Education, Center for Character and Leadership Development, U.S. Air Force Academy (July 2025 – Present)

Deputy Director, Capabilities Development Division, Cape Canaveral, Fla. (August 2024 – July 2025)

Chief of Innovation, 5th Space Launch Squadron, Cape Canaveral, Fla. (September 2022 – August 2024)

Assistant Professor of Military Science, Pennsylvania State University, Altoona, Pa. (August 2020 – September 2022)

Assistant Brigade Operations Officer, 193rd Infantry Brigade, Fort Jackson, S.C. (June 2020 – August 2020)

Battalion Operations Officer, 3-60 Infantry Battalion, Fort Jackson, S.C. (November 2019 – June 2020)

Company Commander, C Co, 3-60th Infantry Battalion, Fort Jackson, S.C. (November 2018 – November 2019)

Student, 554th Engineer Battalion, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. (December 2017 – November 2018)

Battalion Adjutant, 1st Engineer Battalion, Fort Riley, Kans. (September 2016 – November 2017)

Task Force Engineer, 1-4 Cavalry Squadron, Fort Riley, Kans. (April 2016 – August 2016)

Platoon Leader, 41st Route Clearance Company, Fort Riley, Kans. (August 2015 – April 2016)

Assistant Battalion Logistics Officer, 1st Engineer Battalion, Fort Riley, Kans. (January 2015 -August 2015)

Student, 554th Engineer Battalion, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. (July 2014 – January 2015)

Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters

Army Commendation Medal

Army Achievement Medal

Korea Defense Service Medal