Dr. Terry L. Wettig is a distinguished educator, military leader, and organizational strategist whose career spans more than four decades across the United States Air Force, global security operations, higher education, and executive leadership. His professional journey is defined by a deep commitment to developing people, strengthening institutions, and elevating organizational performance through innovation, integrity, and evidence-based practice. As a senior leader with extensive experience in educational administration, risk management, and force development, Dr. Wettig has built a legacy of impact across military, civilian, and international environments.
Currently serving as the Chief of Force Development, Education and Training at Headquarters Pacific Air Command, Dr. Wettig oversees all officer and enlisted professional military education for Airmen across the Pacific Theater. His responsibilities include managing enlisted-to-officer programs, guiding the Education and Training career field, and serving as Executive Agent for voluntary education throughout INDOPACOM. From Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, he leads initiatives that shape the professional trajectory of more than 26,000 Airmen and thousands of joint-service personnel, ensuring they are prepared to excel in complex and rapidly evolving operational environments.
Before assuming his current role, Dr. Wettig served as Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at the Community College of the Air Force. There, he directed teams supporting 69 associate degree programs across all Air and Space Force specialties. His leadership was instrumental in transitioning academic credit evaluations toward competency-based frameworks, strengthening accreditation alignment, and advancing academic partnerships that expanded the reach and relevance of military education. His work not only modernized curriculum delivery but also elevated the educational experience for tens of thousands of enlisted personnel.
Previously, as Chief of Academic Affairs for Air University, Dr. Wettig oversaw academic progress within the distance learning ecosystem, including the Online Master’s Degree Program and multiple professional military education platforms. He authored key academic handbooks, guided integrity oversight, and provided executive-level advising to students navigating advanced education. His participation in international scholarly review communities reflected his commitment to academic quality and intellectual rigor across the military education enterprise.
In addition to his academic leadership, Dr. Wettig is an experienced business owner, having operated Sylvan Learning of Prattville for several years. In this role, he supported both youth and adult learners through customized academic enhancement programs, cultivated partnerships with families and educators, and expanded access to developmental learning opportunities. His entrepreneurial leadership demonstrated his versatility and his passion for strengthening education at every level.
Dr. Wettig’s private-sector executive experience includes more than a decade with Brink’s Incorporated, a global leader in secure logistics operating in more than 50 countries. As Director of Security Risk Management and previously as Security Director of Brink’s Canada, he spearheaded global loss-prevention programs, strengthened physical security operations, conducted international investigations, and managed risk strategies for a large multinational workforce. He designed enterprise-wide directives, led global leadership conferences, and collaborated with law enforcement and regulatory partners across countries. His ability to integrate operational strategy, workforce training, and organizational psychology positioned him as an influential leader within the risk management industry.
His career began with more than 21 years of distinguished service in the United States Air Force, culminating in his retirement as a Chief Master Sergeant. Throughout his military tenure, he served in nuclear security, antiterrorism planning, law enforcement leadership, and major command-level training and evaluation roles. He led Operation Safe Passage—a humanitarian mission relocating nearly 8,000 Cuban nationals—where he directed a task force of more than 400 personnel and executed more than 125 operational flights. His leadership resulted in enduring improvements to Air Force policing, community partnership programs, and security forces training. His contributions shaped the career development of thousands of enlisted Airmen and advanced the institutional readiness of multiple commands.
Academically, Dr. Wettig is a scholar-practitioner whose research focuses on leadership, follower development, and organizational dynamics. He earned his Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Psychology from Capella University, preceded by a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from The George Washington University and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and has completed extensive military academic programs, including the Senior NCO Academy, NCO Academy, and multiple instructional design schools.
Dr. Wettig is also an accomplished writer and public speaker. His publications span academic research, real estate psychology, military operations, and leadership theory. His book reviews for Air University’s H-Net showcase his engagement with global scholarly discourse, and his forthcoming research on Robert F. Kennedy’s leadership evolution underscores his ongoing commitment to understanding and teaching the principles of effective leadership. He has delivered keynote presentations at commencements, academic integrity conferences, and professional development events, sharing insights drawn from decades of operational and academic leadership.
With experience across 53 countries, Dr. Wettig brings a global perspective to every role he occupies. His ability to navigate diverse cultural, operational, and institutional settings allows him to strengthen organizations through inclusive leadership, strategic alignment, and mission-driven decision-making. His personal pursuits—as a licensed skydiver, rescue-certified scuba diver, ultramarathoner, and enthusiast for raising miniature schnauzers—reflect his passion for challenge, growth, and balanced living.
Driven by a lifelong mission to inspire others through education, research, and compassionate leadership, Dr. Wettig continues to shape the future of military education and organizational development. His work blends rigorous academic expertise with practical operational experience, resulting in transformative programs, empowered teams, and institutions strengthened by his vision and integrity.
Knowledge:
Dr. Wettig exemplifies character through his unwavering commitment to service and the advancement of others, consistently demonstrating integrity, humility, and moral leadership. His decisions reflect a clear alignment with ethical principles, and he is known for placing people and mission above personal recognition. His colleagues describe him as a leader who brings compassion, fairness, and steadiness to every environment he influences.
Knowledge:
His extensive academic achievements and real-world operational experience form a blended foundation of deep subject-matter knowledge that spans organizational psychology, education, and global security. He has dedicated his career to continuous learning and research, ensuring his expertise remains relevant and impactful across multiple industries. His ability to translate complex theory into practical solutions makes him an invaluable resource to institutions seeking growth and modernization.
Strategic:
Dr. Wettig’s strategic mindset is reflected in his capacity to envision long-range solutions that strengthen systems, elevate performance, and prepare organizations for emerging challenges. He has led major transformations in military education, risk management, and force development by combining analytical insight with adaptive leadership. His strategic influence is evident in programs he has created, policies he has shaped, and organizations he has helped move confidently toward the future.
Communication:
A skilled communicator, Dr. Wettig articulates ideas with clarity, depth, and purpose, whether leading large teams, advising senior leaders, or speaking at national conferences. He is known for translating complex organizational concepts into messages that resonate with diverse audiences, fostering shared understanding and alignment. Through teaching, writing, mentoring, and public speaking, he consistently elevates conversations and inspires audiences toward excellence.
