Captain Erin O'Connell

Capt Erin D. O’Connell serves as an Instructor, Recruiting Officer, and Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies at  Detachment 020, University of Arizona, Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps, Tucson, Arizona. He is responsible for the formal training and education of over 110 officer candidates. 

Capt O’Connell grew up in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, enlisted into the United States Air Force in 2008 and earned his commission in 2019 through Officer Training School. His background includes various duties in terrestrial weather forecasting and observing, solar weather observing and analysis, various instructor and instructor supervisor duties, as well as Sustainment Services Flight Command and G-series orders squadron Section Command. Prior to his current position, Capt O’Connell was the Executive Officer to the Air Mobility Command Inspector General at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. Capt O’Connell is married to Rachel O’Connell and they have one daughter.

EDUCATION

2009 Weather Apprentice Course, Keesler AFB, Miss.

2011 Associate in Applied Science in Weather Technology, Community College of the Air Force

2011 Weather Flight Detachment Operations Course, Keesler AFB, Miss.

2012 Airman Leadership School, Holloman Air Force Base, N.M.

2016 Certificate, Operational Meteorology, Mississippi State University, Starkville, Miss.

2016 Bachelors of Science in Geosciences, Mississippi State University, Starkville, Miss. (correspondence)

2017 Associate in Applied Science in Instructor of Technology and Military Science, Community College of the Air Force

2018 Mathies Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss.

2021 Masters of Business Administration, Mississippi State University, Starkville, Miss. (correspondence)

2025 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. 

ASSIGNMENTS

1. December 2008 – February 2009, Trainee, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas

2. February 2009 – September 2009, Student, Weather Apprentice Course, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss.

3. September 2009 – December 2011, Weather Forecaster, 21st Operational Weather Squadron, Sembach Kaserne, Germany

4. December 2011 – March 2016, Solar Analyst, Detachment 4, 2d Weather Squadron, Holloman Air Force Base, N.M.

5. March 2016 – October 2019, Instructor Supervisor, Instructor, 335th Training Squadron, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss.

6. July 2019 – September 2019, Officer Trainee, Detachment 12, Officer Training School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.

7. October 2019 – June 2020, Food Service Officer, 52d Force Support Squadron, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany

8. June 2020 – May 2021, Section Commander, 52d Civil Engineer Squadron, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany

9. May 2021 – June 2022, Section Commander, 52d Maintenance Squadron, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany

10. June 2022 – July 2023, Section Commander, 51st Security Force Squadron, Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea

11. Jul 2023 – May 2024, Flight Commander, Sustainment Services, 375th Force Support Squadron, Scott Air Force Base, Ill. 

12. May 2024 – June 2026, Executive Officer to the Air Mobility Command Inspector General, Office of the Inspector General, Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill. 

13. June 2026 – present, Instructor and Recruiting Officer, Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps, Det 020, University of Arizona, Ari. 

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

Meritorious Service Medal

Air and Space Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters

Air and Space Force Achievement Medal

North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal – Operation ODYSSEY DAWN