Lt. Col. Adrian A. Zollinger is the Commander, 317th Recruiting Squadron, Oxon Hill, Md. He directs and operates recruiting activities for seven enlisted accession flights with 86 active-duty and 10 civilian personnel. His squadron covers a 43,000 square-mile area that includes portions of Maryland, Virginia, the District of Colombia, West Virginia and North Carolina. Their mission is to inspire, engage and recruit the next generation of Airmen.
Lt. Col. Zollinger recently served as the Chief Safety for the 91st Missile Wing. He was the wing commander’s primary advisor supporting base and missile complex ground, weapons, and security activities for 1,800 military and civilian personnel. He was responsible for ensuring compliance with wing, major command, Air Force and Department of Defense safety directives and policy.
Lieutenant Colonel Zollinger received his commission in May 2005 through the Air Force Officer Training School. He was a distinguished graduate of Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Initial Qualification Training in November of 2005. He has since served in a variety of positions at the squadron, wing, and headquarters Air Force levels. He was a distinguished graduate from Air Command and Staff College where he completed the School of Advanced Nuclear Deterrence Studies program and is also a School of Advanced Air and Space Studies graduate. As Branch Chief of Strategy Development and Application he published and implemented the Air Force Arctic Strategy and led the Chief of Staff’s Action Order Competition.
EDUCATION
1998 Bachelor of Criminal Justice, New Mexico State University, N.M.
2005 Distinguished Graduate, ICBM Initial Qualification Training, Vandenberg AFB, Calif.
2006 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2010 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2013 Master’s in Business Administration, American Military University, W.V.
2018 Master of Military Operational Art & Science, Air Command & Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL
2019 Master of Philosophy in Military Strategy, School of Advanced Air & Space Studies, Maxwell AFB, AL
ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 2005 – November 2005, student, 392nd Training Squadron, Vandenberg AFB, Calif.
2. November 2005 – April 2011, Missile Crew Commander, ICBM Combat Crew Instructor, ICBM Senior Instructor, ICBM Weapons & Tactics Instructor, Chief, Emergency War Orders Training, 91st Missile Wing, Minot AFB, N.D.
4. April 2011 – October 2014, ICBM Field Test Manager, Chief of ICBM Test Operations, Chief of ICBM Operations Training, Test Operations Flight Commander, 576th FLTS, Vandenberg AFB, Calif.
5. October 2014 – October 2016, Assistant Director of Operations, Chief, ICBM Standardization and Evaluation, Executive Officer; 341st Missile Wing, Malmstrom AFB, Mont.
6. October 2016 – June 2018, Inspector General, 377th Air Base Wing, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
7. July 2018 – June 2019, Student, Air Command and Staff College - School of Advanced Deterrence Studies, Maxwell AFB, A.L.
8. July 2019 – June 2020, Student, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, Maxwell AFB, A.L.
9. July 2020 – July 2022, Strategy Development & Application Branch Chief, HAF A5/7, Pentagon, V.A.
10. August 2022 – June 2023, Chief of Safety, 91st Missile Wing, Minot AFB, N.D.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATION
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with three bronze oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award
Combat Readiness Medal
Air and Space Recognition Ribbon
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal with “N” Device
General Thomas S. Power Missile Combat Crew Award, 2009
Air Force Global Strike Command Instructor/Evaluator of the Year, 2010
(Current as of March 2023)