Col. Max J. Stitzer is the Director of Staff and Associate Director to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Engineering, and Force Protection, Headquarters, United State Air Force (The Air Staff), Pentagon, Washington, D.C. He assists the Deputy Chief of Staff in his responsibility to the Chief of Staff of the Air Force for leadership, management and integration of Air Force logistics readiness, aircraft, munitions and missile maintenance, civil engineering and security forces, as well as developing policy and preparing budget estimates that reflect enhancements to productivity, combat readiness and quality of life for United States Air Force Airmen.
Col. Stitzer was commissioned an Air Force officer in November 1994 as a graduate of officer training school. He has commanded two maintenance groups, a maintenance squadron, three aircraft maintenance squadrons; has been the deputy commander of an air control group, a maintenance group, a fighter group; served as a Deputy Director on the Joint Staff; and has commanded the U.S. Air Force’s largest squadron in Afghanistan in Operation Enduring Freedom supporting the NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). Prior to his current assignment, Col. Stitzer was Mobilization Assistant and Deputy to the Commander, Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex, Robins AFB, Ga.
EDUCATION
1993 Bachelor of Science, Logistics Management, Weber State University, Ogden, Utah
1995 Distinguished Graduate, Aircraft Maintenance and Munitions Officer Course (AMMOC), Sheppard AFB, Texas
1997 Master of Science, Aeronautics, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Hill AFB, Utah
1999 AFRC Squadron Commander Course, Robins AFB, Ga.
2000 USAF Aircraft Mishap Investigation Course (AMIC), Kirtland AFB, N.M.
2001 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2003 USAF Advanced Maintenance and Munitions Officer School (AMMOS), USAFWC, Nellis AFB, Nev.
2005 USAF Jet Engine Mishap Investigation Course (JEMIC), Sheppard AFB, Texas
2006 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
2010 AFRC Group Commander Course, Robins AFB, Ga.
2011 Air War College, by correspondence
2013 Combined/Joint Air and Space Operations Senior Staff Course (CJAOSSC), Hurlburt Field, Fla.
2014 Safety/Accident Investigation Board President Course (BPC), Kirtland AFB, N.M.
2014 Senior Leader Mission Generation Course (SLMGC), HQ USAF, Washington, D.C.
2015 Reserve Component National Security Course (RCNSC), National Defense University, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C.
2016 Advanced Program in Logistics and Technology (LOGTECH), University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, North Carolina
2017 Interagency Logistics Course, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Frederick, Md.
2019 Executive Leadership Seminar (ELS), Kenan-Flagler School of Business, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
ASSIGNMENTS
1. October 1994 - November 1994, Officer Training School, Academy of Military Science, McGhee-Tyson ANGB, Knoxville, Tenn.
2. November 1994 - August 1997, Sortie Generation Flight Commander and Assistant Squadron Maintenance Officer, 466th Fighter Squadron, Hill Air Force Base, Utah
3. August 1997 - October 1998, Squadron Maintenance Officer, 302nd Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz.
4. October 1998 - October 1999, Logistics Officer, 419th Combat Logistics Support Squadron, Hill Air Force Base, Utah
5. October 1999 - October 2003, Commander, 301st Maintenance Squadron, Naval Air Station Fort Worth, Texas
6. January – July 2003, Student, USAF Advanced Maintenance and Munitions Officer School, USAF Warfare Center, Nellis AFB, NV.
7. October 2003 - June 2004, Commander, 301st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Naval Air Station Fort Worth, Texas
8. June 2004 - May 2006, Deputy Commander for Maintenance, 513th Air Control Group, Tinker AFB, Okla.
9. May 2006 - August 2008, Deputy Commander, 419th Maintenance Group, Hill AFB, Utah
10. August 2008 - October 2009, Deputy Commander, 44th Fighter Group (301st Fighter Wing, Det.1), Holloman AFB, N.M. (Jan -- May 2009, Commander, 455th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Bagram AB, Afghanistan)
11. October 2009 – June 2013, Commander, 301st Maintenance Group, NAS Fort Worth, Texas
12. June 2013 – September 2014, Commander, 452d Maintenance Group, March ARB, Calif.
13. September 2014 – July 2017, Assistant Deputy Director for Strategic Logistics and Deputy Director for Current Operations (J-4), The Joint Staff, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
14. July 2017 – Present, Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex, Robins AFB, Ga.
15. July 2019 – Present, Director of Staff and Associate Director to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Engineering, and Force Protection, Headquarters, United States Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
SUMMARY OF JOINT DUTY ASSIGNMENTS
September 2014 – July 2017, Deputy Director for Current Operations and Assistant Deputy Director for Strategic Logistics, J-4, The Joint Staff, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
2018 USAF Maintenance Effectiveness Award- Depot Category
2014 Air Force Association (AFA) Outstanding AFRC Flying Unit Award
2011 Lt Gen Leo Marquez Field-Grade Maintenance Manager of the Year (AFRC)
2004 Air Force Association (AFA) National Medal of Merit
2004 AFRC Maintenance Effectiveness Award (AMXS)
2002 AFRC Maintenance Effectiveness Award (MXS)
2001 AFRC Maintenance Effectiveness Award (MXS)
2001 Chief of Staff Flight, Squadron Officer School (Class 01-E)
2000 AFRC Maintenance Effectiveness Award (MXS)
1999 AFRC Maintenance Effectiveness Award (CLSS)
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal
Gallant Unit Citation
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
Outstanding Unit Award with “V” device and five oak leaf clusters
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Recognition Ribbon
Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terror Service Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with bronze star device
National Defense Service Medal with bronze star device
Afghanistan Campaign Medal
Southwest Asia Service Medal with bronze star device
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with silver hourglass device
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
NATO Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant, Nov. 17, 1994
First Lieutenant, Nov. 17, 1996
Captain, Sept. 30, 1999
Major, Sept. 30, 2003
Lieutenant, Colonel Sept. 30, 2007
Colonel, Feb. 17, 2012
(Current as of August 2019)