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OHIO University AFROTC - Cadre

cantu

Lieutenant Colonel Alejandro R. Cantu - Detachment Commander

Lieutenant Colonel Alejandro R. Cantu is the Commander, Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment 650, and Professor of Aerospace Studies at Ohio University, Athens, OH.  He is responsible for recruiting, educating, training and preparing students for commissioning into the Air Force as second lieutenants.  

Lt Col Cantu graduated from Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Washington, and received his commission through the Reserve Officer Training Corps in 1988.  He has been certified in the Minuteman III/Command Data Buffer ICBM system, the Passive Space Surveillance system, and the Minuteman III Rapid Execution and Targeting-A (REACT-A) system.  
 

EDUCATION

1988  Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Central Washington University, Ellensburg, WA

1994  Master of Science in Administration, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI

1994  Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, AL

2002  Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL

2003  Master of Arts and Science in Military Operations, Air University, Maxwell AFB, AL

2006  Air War College, Maxwell AFB, AL (Correspondence)  

ASSIGNMENTS

  1. January 1990 – May 1991, ICBM Deputy Crew Commander, 446th Missile Sq, Grand Forks AFB, ND
  2. May 1991 – May 1992, ICBM Instructor Deputy Crew Commander, 321st Space Wing, Grand Forks AFB, ND
  3. May 1992 – December 1993, ICBM Combat Evaluator/Instructor Crew Commander 446th Missile Sq, Grand Forks AFB, ND
  4. December 1993 – October 1994, ICBM Training/Evaluation Flight Commander, 446th Missile Sq, Grand Forks AFB, ND
  5. October 1994 –April 1995, Space Surveillance Crew Commander, 73rd Operations Support Squadron, Schriever AFB, CO
  6. April 1995 – November 1995, Chief of Training, 2d Command and Control Squadron, Schriever AFB, CO
  7. November 1995 – November 1996, Chief of Qualification Training, 2d Command and Control Squadron, Schriever AFB, CO
  8. November 1996 – August 1998, Operations Flight Commander, 2d Command and Control Squadron, Schriever AFB, CO
  9. August 1998 – December 1998, Chief, Missile Integrated Process Team, USSTRATCOM, Offutt AFB, NE
  10. December 1998 – February 2000, Division Executive Officer, USSTRATCOM, Offutt AFB, NE
  11. February 2000 – August 2001, Chief, Systems Control Center, USSTRATCOM, Offutt AFB, NE
  12. August 2001 – Aug 2002, Chief of Space Systems Requirements, NORAD, Peterson AFB, CO
  13. August 2002 – June 2003, ACSC Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL
  14. June 2003 – August 2004, Chief of Nuclear Systems Operations, Headquarters USAF, Pentagon, VA
  15. August 2004 – July 2006, Air Force Secretary for Joint and National Security Council Matters, Headquarters USAF, Pentagon, VA
  16. July 2006 – February 2007, Chief of Stan/Eval, 341st Operations Group, Malmstrom AFB, MT
  17. February 2007 – June 2009, Director of Operations, 490th Missile Squadron, 341st Operations Group, Malmstrom AFB, MT
  18. June 2009 – Present, Commander, AFROTC Detachment 650, Ohio University, Athens OH
 

OPERATIONAL INFORMATION

Badges:  Command Space Badge

              Command Missile Badge with operations designator

Weapon Systems:    Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile/Command Data Buffer

                                Passive Space Surveillance System

                                Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (REACT-A) 

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

Defense Meritorious Service Medal

Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster

Joint Service Commendation Medal  
Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster

Joint Service Achievement Medal

Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster

Combat Readiness Medal with oak leaf cluster 
National Defense Medal with one oak leaf cluster

Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

Humanitarian Service Medal 

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION

Second Lieutenant  December 16, 1988

First Lieutenant  April 15, 1990

Captain  April 15, 1993

Major  July 1, 2000

Lieutenant Colonel  August 1, 2005 

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AFROTC Detachment 650 
Ohio University 
Lindley Hall 233
Athens, Ohio 45701 
740.593.1343 
Current as of '22 Sep 08'
All Rights Reserved