Major General JOHN T. RAUCH JR.

Maj. Gen. John T. Rauch Jr. is the Department of the Air Force Chief of Safety, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia, and Commander, Air Force Safety Center, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. He develops, executes and evaluates all Air and Space Forces’ aviation, ground, weapons, space and system mishap prevention and nuclear surety programs to preserve combat readiness. Additionally, he directs research to promote safety awareness and mishap prevention, oversees mishap investigations, evaluates corrective actions and ensures implementation. Finally, he manages, develops and directs all safety and risk management courses.

Maj. Gen. Rauch received his commission in 1989 through the U.S. Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program, University of Colorado at Boulder. He served in numerous flying tours and his staff assignments include Air Force Intelligence, Legislative Liaison, Air Education and Training Command, U.S. Special Operations Command and the Air Staff’s Skunk Works. The general commanded the 763rd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, the 338th Combat Training Squadron, the 552d Air Control Wing and the 55th Wing.

Maj. Gen. Rauch is a master navigator with more than 3,200 flying hours.

EDUCATION
1989 Bachelor of Science, Aerospace Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder
1995 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
1997 Master of Arts, Organizational Management, The George Washington University, Washington, D.C.
2001 Master of Military Operational Art and Science, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2002 Master of Airpower Art and Science, School of Advanced Airpower Studies, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2007 NATO Defense College, Rome, Italy
2008 Joint and Combined Warfighting School, Joint Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Va.
2009 Enterprise Leadership Seminar, Darden School of Business, University of Virginia, Charlottesville
2012 National and International Security Leadership Seminar, Washington, D.C.

ASSIGNMENTS
1. September 1989–June 1990, Student, Specialized Undergraduate Navigator Training, Mather Air Force Base, Calif.
2. October 1990–February 1991, Student, KC-135 Combat Crew Training School, Castle AFB, Calif.
3. March 1991–July 1995, RC-135 Instructor, Evaluator Navigator and Operations Group Executive Officer, Offutt AFB, Neb.
4. August 1995–June 1997, Air Force Intern Program, Intelligence and Legislative Liaison Directorates, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
5. June 1997–July 2000, Instructor Navigator, Flight Commander and Assistant Director of Operations, Joint Specialized Undergraduate Navigator Training, Randolph AFB, Texas
6. July 2000–July 2001, Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
7. July 2001–July 2002, Student, School of Advanced Airpower Studies, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
8. July 2002–July 2003, Deputy and Director Air Education and Training Command Commander's Action Group, Randolph AFB, Texas
9. July 2003–December 2004, Operations Officer, 38th Reconnaissance Squadron, Offutt AFB, Neb.
10. December 2004–October 2006, Commander, 338th Combat Training Squadron, Offutt AFB, Neb.
11. October 2006–February 2007, Deputy Commander, 55th Operations Group, Offutt AFB, Neb.
12. February 2007–August 2007, Student, NATO Defense College, Rome, Italy
13. August 2007–June 2009, U.S. Strategic Command Special Operations Support Team Chief, U.S. Special Operations Command, Offutt AFB, Neb.
14. June 2009–July 2010, Vice Commander, 55th Wing, Offutt AFB, Neb.
15. July 2010–June 2012, Commander, 552d Air Control Wing, Tinker AFB, Okla.
16. June 2012–June 2013, Commander, 55th Wing, Offutt AFB, Neb.
17. June 2013–August 2014, Chief of Concepts, Strategy, and Wargaming for Headquarters Air Staff, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
18. September 2014–January 2017, Director of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Capabilities for Headquarters Air Staff, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
19. January 2017–July 2017, Director of Future Warfare for Headquarters Air Staff, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
20. August 2017–present, Department of the Air Force Chief of Safety, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va., and Commander, Air Force Safety Center, Kirtland AFB, N.M.

SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. August 2007–June 2009, U.S. Strategic Command Special Operations Support Team Chief, U.S. Special Operations Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., as a colonel

FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating:  master navigator
Flight hours:  more than 3,200
Aircraft flown:  E-3B/C/G, RC-135U/V/W and T-43

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Medal
Aerial Achievement Medal with five oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant July 11, 1989
First Lieutenant July 11, 1991
Captain July 11, 1993
Major July 1, 1999
Lieutenant Colonel March 1, 2002
Colonel Aug. 1, 2007
Brigadier General May 2, 2014
Major General Dec. 3, 2017

(Current as of July 2022)