Capt. Jessica L McCool is an Instructor of Acquisition Management at the Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. She provides initial skills education for scientists, engineers, program managers, and select civilians supporting AFMC, AFSFC, and USSF members and leads developments and delivery of lessons, exercises, assessments over entire DoD acquisition system life cycle for 600 students each year. She also guides, advises, and provides research and support to senior level officials within the DoD, Secretary of the Air Force, and AFMC Head Quarters for optimal education for the workforce.
Capt McCool entered the Air Force in 2016 through Officer Training School at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama, 3 years after receiving her bachelor’s degree in business from California State University, Channel Islands in Camarillo, California. She attended undergraduate remotely piloted aircraft training at JBSA Randolph, Texas, before changing her career path to acquisitions. After the career switch, Capt McCool has served as a program manager for several programs within the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, the 711th Human Performance Wing, and for the Air Force Research Laboratory. Capt McCool also served as the executive officer for the Airman Systems Directorate, 711th Human Performance Wing.
Prior to her current position, Capt McCool was an International Partnership Desk Officer, Strategic Partnering Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. She led 9 foreign affairs specialists, hosted distinguished visitors, managed the Latin America portfolio (to include Brazil and Chile), and promoted cooperation for 45 key organizations worldwide. She developed 208 international agreements and 17 reoccurring interchanges for 23 strategically critical countries. She also organized strategic engagement meetings with industry and academia for 2-star Air Force Research Laboratory Commander and Executive Director.
EDUCATION
2013 Bachelor of Science, Business, California State University, Channel Islands, Camarillo, Calif.
2016 Officer Training School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2020 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2021 Master of Business Administration and Management, Liberty University, Lynchburg, Va.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 2016 – Feb 2018, Undergraduate Remotely Piloted Aircraft Training Student, AETC, JBSA Randolph, TX.
2. Feb 2018 – Nov 2019, Program Manager, Development Planning, AFLCMC, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH.
3. Nov 2019 – May 2021, Training Research Systems Program Manager, 711 HPW, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH.
4. May 2021 – May 2022, Executive Officer, Airman Systems Directorate, 711 HPW, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH.
5. May 2022 – February 2024, International Partnership Desk Officer, AFRL, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH.
6. February 2024 – Present, Instructor of Acquisition Management, AFIT, AETC, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air and Space Organizational Excellence Award
Meritorious Unit Award
Air and Space Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Achievement Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant June 17, 2016
First Lieutenant June 17, 2018
Captain June 17, 2020
(Current as of February 2024)