MSgt Joseph Payne is Instructor of Computer and Cyber Sciences at the United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. He is one of approximately 12 enlisted faculty who instructs core curricula in addition to mentoring cadets as they pursue their commission through the ABET accredited degree programs offered by the Dean of Faculty.

Sergeant Payne enlisted into the Air Force on February 9, 2009. He completed Aircrew Fundamentals and Airborne Mission System Specialist technical training in August 2009. His first duty station was Warner Robins Air Force Base, Ga. where he served as an Airborne Radar Technician aboard the E-8C Joint Strategic Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS). His duties included executing several deployments and serving as a formal training unit (FTU) Instructor, Evaluator, and Group Evaluator. His next assignment in June 2018 was to Geilenkirchen NATO Air Base, Germany serving as a Radar Technician aboard the E-3A Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AWACS). He again performed FTU Instructor and Evaluator duties alongside 17 allied nation’s airmen. Additionally, he as was also a FTU Flight Chief and NCOIC of NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Headquarters – Requirements until he was selected for the Enlisted to Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) program in February 2023. Prior to his current position, the MSgt was a Master’s Student attending AFIT, Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio.

Across his career, MSgt Payne has deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and New Dawn. Additionally, he’s deployed to Romania in support of the NATO alliance providing assurance

A fourth paragraph is optional for civilians to describe prior experience, both public and private, prior to the position(s) described in the third paragraph. May include military service and a summary of publications, as applicable. Fifth and sixth paragraphs may be added to provide logical breaks in the narrative while tracing the member’ significant and relevant experience to the member’s entry into the workforce following completion of formal education.

Master of Science, Cyber Operations, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio (2025)

Associates of Science, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (2021)

NCO Academy, Kisling NCO Academy, Kapaun Air Station – Kaiserslautern, Germany (2019)

Bachelor of Science, Technical Management, DeVry University, Downers Grove, Ill. (2013)

Airman Leadership School, Warner Robins AFB, Ga. (2012)

Instructor Computer and Cyber Science, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. (June 2025 – Current)

Air Force Institute of Technology Master’s Student, Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio (June 2023 – June 2025)

Formal Training Unit Evaluator/Instructor Flight Chief, NATO Airborne and Early Warning and Control Aircrew Training Squadron, Geilenkirchen NATO Air Base, Germany (September 2021 – June 2023)

NCOIC Evaluator/Instructor Airborne Radar Technician, NATO Airborne and Early Warning and Control Force Headquarters, Geilenkirchen NATO Air Base, Germany (June 2018 – September 2021)

NCOIC Mission Crew Training, NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Squadron 2, Geilenkirchen NATO Air Base, Germany (June 2018 – January 2021)

Group Evaluator/Instructor Airborne Radar Technician, 461st Operations Group, Robins AFB, Ga. (February 2016 – June 2018)

Formal Training Unit Evaluator/Instructor Airborne Radar Technician, 330th Combat Training Squadron, Warner Robins AFB, Ga. (June 2013 – February 2016)

Airborne Mission System Specialist, 12th Airborne Command and Control Squadron, Robins AFB, Georgia (7th Expeditionary Airborne Command and Control Squadron, Al Udeid Air Base, Quatar) (August 2009 – Jun 2013)

Technical Education Student, Lackland Madina Annex, Texas (February 2009 – August 2009)

Joint Meritorious Unit Award

Defense Meritorious Service Medal

Arial Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters

Air Medal with seven oak leaf clusters

Air Force Commendation Medal