Colonel Frank Shifflett is the Commander of Air University’s Ira C. Eaker Center for Leadership Development, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.
The Eaker Center provides leadership education, functionally aligned technical training, professional continuing education, and civilian undergraduate education to Department of the Air Force and other Department of Defense personnel. The Center is comprised of six primary schools: Commanders' Professional Development School; Force Support Professional Development School; Air Force Chaplain Corps College; Civilian Leadership Development School; Air Force First Sergeant Academy; and the Defense Financial Management and Comptroller School. Each year, the Center educates more than 30,000 students in the classroom and via distance learning.
Colonel Shifflett commissioned in 1998 as a distinguished graduate of Air Force Officer Training School. He also completed the Air Force Maintenance Officers Course as a distinguished graduate. Colonel Shifflett deployed in support of Operations Southern Watch and Enduring Freedom and a one-year tour in Afghanistan in support of Operation Resolute Support. Colonel Shifflett twice commanded maintenance squadrons, served as a Materiel Leader and as a Senior Materiel Leader.
EDUCATION
1997 Bachelor of Science Degree in Business, Excelsior College, N.Y.
2003 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2007 Master of Science Degree in Aviation Admin and Logistics, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Okla.
2008 Air Command and Staff College, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (correspondence)
2009 Command and General Staff College, Ft. Leavenworth, Kan.
2014 Air War College, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (correspondence)
2022 Joint and Combined Warfighting School, Va.
ASSIGNMENTS or CAREER CHRONOLOGY
- May 1987–September 1998, U.S. Air Force enlisted, numerous duties, Minot AFB, N.D.
- September 1998–October 1999, Budget Officer, Aeronautical Systems Center, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
- November 1999–October 2000, Executive Officer, Propulsion Development Systems Office, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
- October 2000–June 2001, Officer-in-charge, Fighter Engine Field Support, Propulsion Development Systems Office, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
- June 2001–December 2002, Sortie Generation Flight Commander, 92nd Aircraft Generation Squadron, Fairchild AFB, Wash.
- February 2003–April 2004, Maintenance Flight Commander, 92nd Maintenance Squadron, Fairchild AFB, Wash.
- April 2004–June 2004, Maintenance Operations Officer, 92nd Maintenance Squadron; Fairchild AFB, Wash.
- June 2004–October 2005, KC-135 Program Depot Maintenance Production Flight Chief, OC-ALC, Tinker AFB, Okla.
- October 2005–January 2007, KC-135 Global Air Traffic Management Program Manager, OC-ALC, Tinker AFB, Okla.
- January 2007–July 2007, KC-135 Airframe Modification Flight Chief, OC-ALC, Tinker AFB, Okla.
- August 2007–June 2009, Director of Operations, 540th Aircraft Sustainment Squadron (B-52), OC-ALC, Tinker AFB, Okla.
- June 2009–June 2010, Student, Command and General Staff College, Ft. Leavenworth, Kan.
- June 2010–April 2011, Commander, 55th Maintenance Operations Squadron, Offutt AFB, Neb.
- April 2011–July 2013, Commander, 55th Maintenance Squadron, Offutt AFB, Neb.
- July 2013–March 2014, Program Element Monitor, Legacy Tankers, Secretary of the Air Force, Pentagon, Va.
- March 2014–October 2016, Deputy Division Chief, Mobility Division, Secretary of the Air Force, Pentagon, Va.
- October 2016–June 2019, Materiel Leader, F-35 Sustainment, Joint Strike Fighter, Crystal City, Va.
- July 2019–June 2020, Military Deputy Director, Fighters and Bombers Directorate, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
- July 2020–August 2023, Commander, Defense Contract Management Agency–San Antonio, Texas
- August 2023–present, Commander, Ira C. Eaker Center for Leadership Development, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
- July 2020–August 2023, Commander, Defense Contract Management Agency, San Antonio, Texas, as a colonel
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Superior Service Medal
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Achievement Medal
Meritorious Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Program Management, Level III, Acquisition Professional Development Program
Test and Evaluation, Level I, APDP
Life Cycle Logistics, Level I, APDP
Financial Management, Level I, APDP
Manufacturing, Production, and Quality Assurance, Level I, APDP
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant, June 12, 1998
First Lieutenant, June 12, 2000
Captain, June 12, 2002
Major, March 1, 2008
Lieutenant Colonel, July 1, 2013
Colonel, August 1, 2019
(Current as of January 2024)