Colonel Michael A. Growden is Permanent Professor and Head, Department of Philosophy, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado. He leads a department of 14 faculty members and teaches the Academy’s core ethics course, as well as coursework in philosophy of law, technology ethics, and medical ethics.

Colonel Growden was commissioned through Officer Training School in 2001. He has served in both the Security Forces and Personnel career fields. Prior to commissioning into the Air Force, Colonel Growden served in the United States Marine Corps as a Field Artillery Cannoneer and as an Embassy Guard in Brussels, Moscow, and Vienna.

PhD, Philosophy, University of Colorado – Boulder (2014)

M.A., Philosophy, University of Illinois – Champaign (2008)

B.A., Philosophy, Bowling Green State University (1999)

Permanent Professor & Head, Department of Philisopher, U.S. Air Force Academy (June 2023 – Present)

Director, Commander's Action Group, Dean of Faculty, U.S. Air Force Academy (May 2022 – June 2023)

Assistant Professor of Philosophy & Senior Military Faculty, Department of Philosophy, U.S. Air Force Academy (July 2014 – May 2022)

AFIT PhD Student, University of Colorado – Boulder (August 2011 – July 2014)

Instructor of Philosophy, Department of Philosophy, U.S. Air Force Academy (January 2009 – August 2011)

AFIT M.A. Student, University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign (August 2007 – December 2008)

Squadron Section Commander; OIC – Career Enhancements; Wing Executive Officer, 355th Fighter Wing, Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona (June 2004 – August 2007)

Missile Security Flight Commander & Executive Officer, 341st Security Forces Group, Malmstrom AFB, Montana (June 2001 – June 2004)

USMC Combat Action Ribbon (1991)

Effective Dates of Promotion

Second Lieutenant: May 21, 2001

First Lieutenant: May 21, 2003

Captain: May 24, 2005

Major: January 2, 2011

Lieutenant Colonel: April 1, 2016

Colonel: June 21, 2023