Colonel Joseph Schmidt

Class of 1981

Education: 1985 Bachelor’s Degree in General Studies from the US Air Force Academy in CO. 1989 Squadron Officer School in AL; 1991 Outstanding Graduate, US Air Force Fighter Weapons School at Nellis Air Force Base in NV; 1998 Air Command & Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base in AL; 2000 Master’s Degree in Aerospace Science from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, FL; 2002 Air War College in AL; 2009 Joint & Combined Warfighting School from Joint Forces Staff College in VA.

Currently: Active duty Colonel in the U.S. Air Force. Job title is Director, Joint Interoperability Division, U.S. Joint Forces Command. Job Description: Responsible for planning, programming & conduct of the Joint Tactical Operations Interoperability Training Program for the U.S. DOD. Provides graduate level training for 2,200 students annually from the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, & Marine Corps & various U.S. allied countries throughout the world. Maintains a deployable cell of data-link experts to support worldwide combat operations.

Achievements: Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit with Valor, Combat Readiness Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal. Ranks from 2nd Lieutenant in 1985 to 1st Lieutenant in 1987 to Captain in 1989 to Major in 1997 to Lieutenant Colonel in 2001 to Colonel in 2007.