Master Sergeant Raymond Rugenstein serves as the Superintendent, Department of Physics and Meteorology, as well as an Instructor of Meteorology at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. He enlisted in the Air Force in August 2006 and has served at various assignments from Alaska to Germany while supporting a multitude of Air Force, Army and Navy missions.

MSgt Rugenstein’s experiences include integrating weather and environmental information into decision cycles across commands to mitigate risks and exploit opportunities. His expertise directly impacted the success of fighter, bomber, air refueling, airlift, air assault, airdrop, MEDEVAC, reconnaissance and ground movement mission sets. With four deployments in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe, he has supported operational sorties that contributed to the Global War on Terror, deterrence and interoperability with NATO allies and partners. He also led focused specialty teams to cement quality training, regulatory compliance and program management within weather organizations. Prior to his assignment to the Academy, he was a Flight Chief at the 21st Operational Weather Squadron at Kapaun Air Station, Germany, ensuring the morale, welfare, discipline, development and mission capabilities for 35 Airmen and Sailors providing weather support across three combatant commands.

Master of Arts in Teaching – Science Education, Western Governors University (2018)

Bachelor of Arts, Natural Sciences, Thomas Edison State University (2014)

Associate’s in Applied Science, Meteorology, Community College of the Air Force (2012)

Superintendent, Department of Physics and Meteorology and Instructor of Meteorology, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. (2024-Present)

Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge, Airfield Weather Services, 13th Expeditionary Combat Weather Squadron, Illesheim Army Heliport, Germany (2023)

Flight Chief, 21st Operational Weather Squadron, Kapaun Air Station, Germany (2022-2024)

Staff Weather Officer, 7th Expeditionary Weather Squadron, Lielvarde, Latvia (2019)

NCOIC, Standards and Evaluation, 18th Combat Weather Squadron, Ft. Bragg, N.C. (2018-2022)

8th Grade Science Teacher, Booth-Fickett Math-Science Magnet School, Tucson, Ariz. (2017-2018)

Shift Supervisor, 25th Operational Weather Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. (2015-2017)

NCOIC, Weather Team, 409th Air Expeditionary Operations Group Detachment 1, Arba Minch, Ethiopia (2014)

NCOIC, Training and Readiness, 86th Operations Support Squadron, Ramstein Air Base, Germany (2013-2015)

Weather Forecaster, 379th Operations Support Squadron, Al Udeid AB, Qatar (2012)

Weather Forecaster, 3rd Operations Support Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska (2010-2013)

Weather Forecaster, 15th Operational Weather Squadron, Scott AFB, Ill. (2007-2010)

U.S. Air Force Academy Dean of Faculty Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year (2025)

Meritorious Service Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters

Air and Space Commendation Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters

Army Commendation Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster

Army Achievement Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster

John L. Levitow Award Recipient, McGhee-Tyson Air National Guard Base Non-Commissioned Officer Academy (2019)

Education & Pedagogy