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Colonel JOSEPH M. RIZZUTO

Col. Joseph M. Rizzuto is the Director of the USAF Profession of Arms Center of Excellence (PACE), Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. PACE is responsible for collaborating and coordinating Air Force institution wide professionalism strategy, standardizing and synchronizing professionalism courses to all Airmen, officer, enlisted and civilian. PACE builds and provides world class professionalism tools and tailored leadership assessments, Air Force wide.

Colonel Rizzuto was commissioned in 1992 through the U.S. Air Force Academy and earned his wings at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas in 1993. He has served in a variety of assignments, including serving as Commander of the 23rd Operations Support Squadron at Moody AFB, Ga. and the 306th Flying Training Group at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs. Prior to his current position, Colonel Rizzuto served as the Director of the USAF Commanders’ Professional Development School at Maxwell AFB, Alabama.

Colonel Rizzuto is a command pilot with 3,000 flying hours in the A-10A and C models, the C-130, T-53, and UV-18B and more than 600 hours in the MQ-1 and MQ-9 remotely piloted aircraft.

EDUCATION
1992 Bachelor of Science in Engineering Mechanics, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
2001 Master of Science in Engineering Management, University of Anchorage, Alaska
2005 Master of Science in Military Operational Arts, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala
2012 Master of Science in Strategic Studies, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.

ASSIGNMENTS
1. September 1992 – October 1993, Student, 89th and 90th Flying Training Squadrons, Sheppard AFB, Texas.
2. May 1994 – November 1997, C-130 Aircraft Commander, Chief of Mobility, 517th Airlift Squadron, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska
3. November 1997 – September 1998, Student, 357th Fighter Squadron, Davis-Monthan, Ariz.
4. September 1998 – May 2001, A-10 Pilot, Forward Air Controller, 74th Fighter Squadron, Pope AFB, N. C.
5. May 2001 – July 2002, MQ-1 Pilot, Flight Commander, 11th Reconnaissance Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev.
6. July 2002 – July 2004, MQ-1 Evaluator Pilot, Assistant Director of Operations for Requirements, 17th Reconnaissance Squadron, The Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
7. July 2004 – May 2005, Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala
8. October 2005 – May 2007, Director of Staff, 25th Fighter Squadron and 51st Fighter Wing, Osan Air Base, South Korea
9. June 2007 – May 2008, Director of Operations, 51st Operations Support Squadron, Osan AB, South Korea
10. May 2008 – June 2009, Chief of Safety, 23rd Wing, Moody AFB, Ga.
11. June 2009 – June 2011, Commander, 23rd Operations Support Squadron, Moody AFB, Ga.
12. June 2011 – May 2012, Student, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
13. June 2012 – June 2014, Commander, 306th Flying Training Group, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
14. July 2014 – July 2015: Director, USAF Commanders’ Professional Development School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
15. July 2015 – Present: Director, USAF Profession of Arms Center of Excellence, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas

FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command pilot
Flight Hours: 3,000 manned / 600 remotely piloted
Aircraft Flown: A-10A, A-10C, C-130, MQ-1, MQ-9, T-53, UV-18B

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Medal
Aerial Achievement Medal with 11 oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Korean Defense Service Medal
NATO Medal

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
Distinguished Graduate, C-130 Initial Qualification Training
Distinguished Graduate, A-10 Initial Qualification Training
Distinguished Graduate, MQ-1 Initial Qualification Training
Distinguished Graduate, Squadron Officer School
Distinguished Graduate, Air Command and Staff College

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 27, 1992
First Lieutenant May 27, 1994
Captain May 27, 1996
Major Nov 1, 2002
Lieutenant Colonel Dec 1, 2006
Colonel May 1, 2012

(Current as of July 2015)