Col. Joseph Schaefer is the Commander, 637th Training Group, and the Commandant, Defense Language Institute English Language Center (DLIELC), Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. The 637th TRG consists of three squadrons executing the Department of Defense English language training program. He oversees an on-campus program for military and civilian leaders from over 110 countries annually and at over 30 nonresident locations around the world as the Gateway to America for all its international students. DLIELC also provides a comprehensive American culture immersion experience through a program of excursions and community interactive projects.
Prior to assuming his current positon, Colonel Schaefer was assigned as a student at the Air War College, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Alabama. He has served in the position of instructor at the Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force’s Leader Development Course for Squadron Command. As an instructor, he served as a facilitator for educational activities for over 1,100 active-duty, Guard, Reserve, and civilian forces who had been identified as future squadron commanders and civilian director equivalents.
Colonel Schaefer received his commission through Air Force Officer Training School in 1999. He has served as a comptroller at each echelon in the Air Force including Air Staff, two major commands (USAFE and AETC), and the wing level. He is a two-time graduated comptroller squadron commander where he served at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, and Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.
EDUCATION
1999 Bachelor of Science, Accounting, David N. Myers University, Cleveland, Ohio
2000 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2000 Basic Financial Management Officers Course, Sheppard AFB, Texas
2004 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2005 Financial Management Staff Officer Course, Keesler AFB, Mississippi
2006 Master of Business Administration, Defense Financial Management, Naval Postgraduate School, California
2007 Certified Defense Financial Manager
2008 Defense Financial Management and Comptroller School, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2010 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
2016 Air War College, by correspondence
2021 Master of Strategic Studies, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
ASSIGNMENTS
1. October 1999 – September 2000, Precision Attack Financial Manager, Air Combat System Program Office, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
2. September 2000 – August 2002, F-15 Financial Manager, F-15 System Program Office, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
3. August 2002 – August 2003, Deputy Financial Services Officer, 28th Comptroller Squadron, 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota
4. August 2003 – March 2005, Flight Commander, Financial Analysis, 28th Comptroller Squadron, 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota
5. March 2005 – December 2006, AFIT Student, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California
6. January 2007 – June 2008, Command Budget Analyst, Financial Management Directorate, Headquarters United States Air Forces in Europe, Ramstein AB, Germany
7. June 2008 – May 2009, Chief, Budget Integration Branch, Financial Management Directorate, Headquarters United States Air Forces in Europe, Ramstein AB, Germany
8. May 2009 – June 2011, Commander, 39th Comptroller Squadron, 39th Air Base Wing, Incirlik AB, Turkey
9. June 2011 – May 2012, Deputy Chief, Budget Corporate Support, Budget Programs and Integration, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Budget, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
10. May 2012 – June 2013, Executive Officer, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Budget, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
11. June 2013 – June 2016, Commander, 11th Comptroller Squadron, 11th Wing, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland
12. June 2016 – May 2019, Chief, Budget Operations and Integration Branch, Financial Management Directorate, Headquarters Air Education and Training Command, Joint Base San Antonio–Randolph, Texas
13. May 2019 – June 2020, Instructor, United States Air Force Chief of Staff Leader Development Course for Squadron Command, Commander’s School, Eaker Center, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
14. June 2020 – July 2021, Student, Air War College, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
15. July 2021 – Present, Commander, 637th Training Group, Commandant, Defense Language Institute English Language Center, JBSA-Lackland, Texas
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with 6 oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant Sept. 30, 1999
First Lieutenant Sept. 30, 2001
Captain Sept. 30, 2003
Major Aug. 1, 2009
Lieutenant Colonel Dec. 1, 2014
Colonel Nov. 1, 2020