DJ Benzing
Pike Road,AL
Summary
Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals. Persistent leader eager to lead and grow organizations. Skilled in strategic planning, problem-solving, and communication with good understanding of business principles, project management and team leadership. Collaborative with relentless work ethic.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Deputy Department Chair
United States Air Force
Maxwell AFB, AL
07.2022 - 07.2024
- Assists the Department Chair with daily operations and manages 14 joint military and 10 PhD civilian faculty in executing largest course in Air Command and Staff College.
- Prepares US/International senior-grade officers & inter-agency civilians to develop, employ and command air, space and cyberspace forces
- Leads seminar discussions and evaluates student achievement of course objectives, written and oral communication and critical thinking skills.
- Enhanced team efficiency by streamlining communication processes and implementing new procedures.
- Collaborated with multiple departments to develop effective strategies for case management and resource allocation.
Commander
United States Air Force
Maxwell AFB, AL
06.2020 - 07.2022
- Commands selectively manned sq of 17 instructors and 1,050 USAF/USSF/international officers, and DAF civilians annually
- Leads, supervises, and evaluates faculty in executing seven 5 week courses annually with over 880 hours of instruction
- Responsible for standardization of instruction/course presentation in USAF’s $24M resident Primary Development Education leadership course
- Provides motivation/discipline/guidance to faculty/students; principal advisor to commandant on course effectiveness
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
Director of Operations
United States Air Force
Maxwell AFB, AL
06.2019 - 06.2020
- Improved operational efficiency by streamlining processes and implementing innovative solutions.
- Directs multiservice unit of 246 select US & international senior grade officers and DoD civilian students in Air Command and Staff College's resident course
- Instructs select US and international senior grade officers and civilians on strategy, leadership, culture, & command skills
- Evaluates student achievement of course objectives, written and oral communication, and critical thinking skills
- Implemented data-driven decision-making processes to enhance operational performance and achieve targets.
Chief Instructor Pilot/Flight Examiner
United States Air Force
Randolph AFB, TX
07.2017 - 05.2018
- Chief instructor pilot & second in charge of operations at Air Education and Training Command's sole T-1A Pilot Instructor Training squadron, managing 17 T-1A aircraft and a $6.75M flying hour program
- Plans, coordinates & executes 10.4K flight/ground training activities annually to prepare trainees for flight duties
- Evaluates proficiency/instruction of 125 instructor pilot and instructor navigator candidates and 65 qualified instructor pilots annually in all phases of T-1A flight and ground training
- Enhanced trainee performance by implementing innovative teaching methods and techniques.
- Developed comprehensive training materials to support diverse learning styles and improve retention rates.
- Streamlined the instructor onboarding process, resulting in improved overall efficiency and consistency in training delivery.
- Collaborated with fellow instructors to design and implement a new curriculum for advanced-level courses, leading to increased enrollment rates.
Flight Commander, Evaluator Aircraft Commander
United States Air Force
McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ
05.2011 - 03.2014
- Directs 19 officers & enlisted personnel in a C-17A combat airlift squadron to ensure constant readiness and deployability
- Commands the technologically advanced $202.3M C-17A aircraft with up to 6 aircrew/102 passengers/170,000 pounds of cargo
- Instructs combat aircrews in executing direct-delivery missions in support of the President of the United States, State Department, Joint Chiefs of Staff and Combatant Commanders
- Evaluates training & operational mission execution in C-17A aircraft, including low-level, air refueling and tactical procedures
- Improved flight safety by diligently reviewing and updating flight procedures and protocols.
- Enhanced crew performance through regular training sessions and evaluations, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
- Streamlined pre-flight preparation processes for increased efficiency, reducing aircraft turnaround times.
- Spearheaded the implementation of new navigation technologies, optimizing flight routes and reducing fuel consumption.
Education
Master of Military Operational Art And Science - Leadership, Military Theory, Airpower History
Air Command And Staff College
Maxwell AFB, AL06.2019
Master of Science - Sports Management
American Public University System
Charles Town, WV08.2014
Bachelor of Science - Biology
United States Air Force Academy
Colorado Springs, CO06.2005
Skills
- Staff Oversight
- Task Prioritization
- Organizational Skills
- Risk Assessment
- Time Management
- Change Management
- Report Writing
- Relationship Building
- Team Leadership
- Decision Making
- Strategic Planning
- Training and Development
Affiliations
- Youth Football and Wrestling coach
- Boys of Faith program - mentoring 4th-6th grade boys on their faith and committment to a faith-filled life
Timeline
Deputy Department Chair
United States Air Force
07.2022 - 07.2024
Commander
United States Air Force
06.2020 - 07.2022
Director of Operations
United States Air Force
06.2019 - 06.2020
Chief Instructor Pilot/Flight Examiner
United States Air Force
07.2017 - 05.2018
Flight Commander, Evaluator Aircraft Commander
United States Air Force
05.2011 - 03.2014
Master of Military Operational Art And Science - Leadership, Military Theory, Airpower History
Air Command And Staff College
Master of Science - Sports Management
American Public University System
Bachelor of Science - Biology
United States Air Force Academy