Captain Zachary Rutledge is Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies for the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment 550 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York.  He is responsible for overseeing recruitment and retention of the Detachment’s Cadet Wing, which includes recruiting, educating, training, and developing officer candidates for the United States Air Force. 

Captain Rutledge enlisted in the active-duty Air Force in December 2003 and graduated technical training in September 2004 as a Radar Maintenance Technician.  He was assigned to various technical and leadership roles in Europe, the U.S., and Asia, including Flight Chief and First Sergeant.  He was commissioned as an Air Force officer in November 2016 and graduated nuclear Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Operator initial skills training in June 2017.  Captain Rutledge’s operations tours were at Minot Air Force Base (AFB) and F.E. Warren AFB, where he executed over 300 nuclear alerts.  Prior to his current position, Captain Rutledge was the Chief of Training and Testing for the ICBM community at Headquarters, 20th Air Force, F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming. 

Captain Rutledge is married to his wife of 14 years, Chiara. Their children are named Lucas (9) and Isabella (8).

Education

2003 Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, TX 
2004 Radar Maintenance Technical Training, Keesler AFB, MS 
2006 Airman Leadership School, Aviano AB, Italy 
2012 Non Commissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell AFB, AL 
2013 Associates of Science, Electronic Systems Technology, Community College of the Air Force, Wright Patterson AFB, OH 
2013 Bachelor of Arts, International Relations and Regional Politics, American Military University 
2015 Senior Non Commissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell AFB, AL
2015 Senior Enlisted Leader Joint Professional Military Education, Yokota AB, Japan
2016 Officer Training School, Maxwell AFB, AL
2017 ICBM Operations Initial Skills Training, Vandenberg AFB, CA
2021 Squadron Officer School, Air University, Maxwell AFB, AL
2022 Nuclear 200, AFIT Nuclear College, Kirtland AFB, NM
 

Assignments

1. December 2003 – February 2004, Trainee, Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, TX
2. February 2004 – November 2004, Student, Electronic Principles & Radar Maintenance 3-Level Course, Keesler AFB, MS
3. November 2004 – August 2006, Radar Maintenance Technician, Aviano AB, Italy
4. August 2006 – October 2008, Quality Assurance Inspector, Aviano AB, Italy
5. October 2008 – October 2012, Assistant Flight Chief of Squadron Operations, Dover AFB, DE (March 2010 – August 2010, Ground Radio Technician & Squadron Resource Advisor, Kirkuk AB, Iraq)
6. October 2012 – September 2016, Flight Chief of PACAF’s Field Maintenance Team, Yokota AB, Japan
7. September 2016 – November 2016, Officer Training School, Maxwell AFB, AL
8. November 2016 – June 2017, Initial Skills Training for MMIII Operations, Vandenberg AFB, CA
9. June 2017 – September 2020, Assistant Flight Commander, Minot AFB, ND
10. September 2020 – September 2023, Flight Commander of MMIII Operations, F.E. Warren AFB, WY
11. September 2023 – June 2024, Chief of MMIII Testing & Training, F.E. Warren AFB, WY
12. June 2024 – Current, Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY
 

Major Awards and Decorations

Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Achievement Medal
 

Effective Dates of Promotion

Airman First Class: Dec 09, 2003
Senior Airman: Oct 09, 2005
Staff Sergeant: Jul 01, 2007
Technical Sergeant: Jul 01, 2011
Master Sergeant: Jul 01, 2014
Second Lieutenant: Nov 18, 2016
First Lieutenant: Nov 18, 2018
Captain: Nov 18, 2020

(Information is current as of September 2024)