Brig. Gen. Travis T. Boltjes is the Vice Director of Operations, National Guard Bureau Joint Staff, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia. He is responsible for the planning, coordination, and integration of all aspects of National Guard Current Operations, Future Operations, Continuity of Operations, and Joint Training and Force Development at the national level. Additionally, he provides oversight of the National Guard Bureau’s Coordination Center. He supports the Chief of the National Guard Bureau and Joint Staff Directors caring for the 440,000-Guardsman serving the Department of War.
Brig. Gen. Boltjes received his commission from the United States Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, New York in 2002. He completed undergraduate pilot training at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi in 2004. He is a Command Pilot with more than 1,500 flight hours, primarily in the F-16C. Brig. Gen. Boltjes’ distinguished career includes serving in various command, operational, and staff assignments, and manned fighter alert aircraft missions in support of Operation Noble Eagle. He has deployed four times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Prior to his current position, the general was the Deputy Division Chief, Homeland Division, Deputy Directorate for the Western Hemisphere, Directorate for Strategy, Plans, and Policy (J-5), Joint Staff, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia.
EDUCATION
2002 Bachelor of Science, Logistics and Intermodal Transportation, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, N.Y.
2008 Signature Management Course, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
2010 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., by correspondence
2012 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence.
2013 Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution Course, Washington, D.C.
2013 Contingency Wartime Planning Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2014 Leadership in Homeland Security, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.
2015 Accelerated Aircraft Maintenance Officer Course, Sheppard AFB, Texas
2016 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence.
2018 Master of Science, National Security Strategy, National War College, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
2019 Master of Arts, Public Policy, The George Washington University, Washington, D.C.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 2003–July 2004, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Columbus Air Force Base, Miss.
2. August 2004–October 2004, Student, Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals, Moody AFB, Ga.
3. November 2004–August 2005, Student, F-16 Formal Training Course, Luke AFB, Ariz.
4. August 2005–October 2010, F-16 Pilot, 175th Fighter Squadron, Joe Foss Field, S.D. (October 2006–December 2006, F-16 Pilot, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, Balad Air Base, Iraq), (July 2008–September 2008, F-16 Pilot, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, Balad Air Base, Iraq), (December 2009–February 2010, F-16 Pilot, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, Balad Air Base, Iraq), (June 2010–August 2010 F-16 Pilot, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, Balad Air Base, Iraq)
5. November 2010–May 2013, Action Group Program Manager, National Guard Bureau, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
6. June 2013–March 2014, Combat Aviation Plans Officer, National Guard Bureau, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
7. April 2014–April 2015, Assistant Executive to the Vice Chief, National Guard Bureau, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
8. May 2015–January 2017, Commander, 114th Maintenance Squadron, Joe Foss Field, S.D.
9. February 2017–June 2017, Special Assistant to NGB-J5, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
10. July 2017–May 2018, Student, National War College, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
11. June 2018–June 2020, Senior Policy Development Analyst, Office of the Under Secretary for Defense for Policy, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
12. June 2020–November 2022, Chief of Staff, Continental North American Aerospace Defense Command Region - 1st Air Force (Air Forces Northern and Air Forces Space), Tyndall AFB, Fla.
13. December 2022–November 2024, Commander, Western Air Defense Sector, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
14. December 2024–December 2025, Deputy Division Chief, Deputy Directorate for the Western Hemisphere, Directorate for Strategy, Plans, and Policy (J-5), The Joint Staff, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
15. January 2025–present, Vice Director of Operations, National Guard Bureau J3/4/7, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 2018–June 2020, Senior Policy Development Analyst, Office of the Under Secretary for Defense for Policy, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va., as a colonel
2. November 2024–December 2025, Deputy Division Chief, Deputy Directorate for the Western Hemisphere, Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate (J-5), The Joint Staff, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va., as a colonel
3. December 2025–present, Vice Director of Operations, National Guard Bureau J3/4/7, The Pentagon, Arlington, Va., as a brigadier general
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: command pilot
Flight hours: more than 1,500
Aircraft flown: T-37, T-38, F-16C/CM/D
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal with three service stars
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
South Dakota Distinguished Service Ribbon
South Dakota Distinguished Unit Citation
South Dakota National Guard Service Ribbon
(Current as of February 2026)