Col Michael W. Povilus is a Professor of Strategy and Security Studies at the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies (SAASS), Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. He is responsible for educating and developing 45 mid-grade total force, multiservice and multinational officers annually. Col Povilus earned his PhD in Political Science from Northwestern University, and now teaches courses in International Politics, Irregular Warfare, and Cyber and Information Power. He is also a conduit to the Commandant in key administrative and programmatic efforts for the development of academics, research, and technology.
Col Povilus graduated from the University of Florida in 1996 and received his commission from Officer Training School in 2003. He has completed multiple tours as both an air battle manager and a foreign area officer. Col Povilus deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom while assigned to the 7th Expeditionary Airborne Command and Control Squadron. He also became the Air Force’s first-ever Social-Cultural Affairs Branch Chief while deployed to the Theater Security Cooperation Division in Kyrgyzstan.
Prior to assuming his current position at SAASS, Col Povilus commanded the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment 195 at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, Illinois. He also served as the Chief of the Arms Control Implementation Unit for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, Russia.
EDUCATION
1996 Bachelor of Arts Degree in Russian Studies, University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla.
2001 Master of Business Administration Degree, University of Liverpool, England
2008 Master of Arts Degree in East European Studies, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany
2008 Distinguished Graduate, Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2016 Master of Science Degree in Airpower Strategy and Technology Integration, Blue Horizons Program, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2017 Master of Philosophy Degree in Military Strategy, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2018 Senior Developmental Education, Advanced Studies Group PhD Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill.
2020 Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Political Science, Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill.
ASSIGNMENTS
April 2003 – October 2004, Student, Undergraduate Air Battle Manager Training, Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla.
November 2004 – June 2006, Flight Commander, 932d Air Control Squadron, Keflavik Naval Air Station, Iceland
June 2006 – February 2007, E-3A Student, NATO Weapons Controller Course, Geilenkirchen AB, Germany
February 2007 – March 2008, Flight Commander and Air Weapons Officer, NATO E-3A Squadron 1, Geilenkirchen AB, Germany
March 2008 – February 2009, Chief of Wing Weapons Instruction, NATO E-3A Training Wing, Geilenkirchen AB, Germany
February 2009 – July 2010, Chief of Flying Training Unit Weapons Section and Evaluator Senior Director, NATO E-3A Training Wing, Geilenkirchen AB, Germany
July 2010 – December 2011, Student and E-8C Senior Director, 330th Combat Training Squadron, Robins AFB, Ga. (April 2011 – October 2011, Chief, Social-Cultural Branch, Theater Security Cooperation, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing, Transit Center at Manas International Airport, Kyrgyzstan)
December 2011 – April 2012, E-8C Senior Director, 16th Airborne Command & Control Squadron, Robins AFB, Ga.
May 2012 – February 2013, Chief of Readiness and Instructor Senior Director, 16th Airborne Command and Control Squadron, Robins AFB, Ga. (October 2012 – January 2013, Supervisor of Flying and Senior Director for Combat Crew 6, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, Al Udeid AB, Qatar)
March 2013 – September 2013, Assistant Director of Operations, 16th ACCS, Robins AFB, Ga.
October 2013 – July 2015, Chief of Arms Control Implementation, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, U.S. Embassy, Moscow, Russia (January 2015 – March 2015, Service Chief Fellow, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Va.)
July 2015 – June 2016, Fellow, Blue Horizons Program, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
June 2016 – June 2017, Student, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
June 2017 – June 2020, Air Force Institute of Technology PhD Student, Northwestern University, Chicago, Ill.
June 2020 – June 2022, Commander, Air Force ROTC Detachment 195, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Ill.
June 2022 – June 2023, Professor of Strategy & Security Studies, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
June 2023 – June 2024, Dean of Students, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
June 2025 – Present, Professor of Strategy & Security Studies, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Senior Air Battle Manager
Flight hours: More than 1600
Aircraft flown: E-3A, E-8C
MAJOR DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Medal
Aerial Achievement Medal
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
NATO Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant April 4, 2003
First Lieutenant April 4, 2005
Captain April 4, 2007
Major March 1, 2013
Lieutenant Colonel December 1, 2016
Colonel May 1, 2022