Col. Michael J. Cheatham is the Commander, 37th Training Group, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. He is responsible for professional and technical training for more than 25,000 military and civilians in the armed forces, international community and other federal agencies. Training subjects include security forces, combat arms, recruiting, services, TEMPEST, safety, logistics, contracting, and the enlisted aircrew undergraduate course. The 37th Training Group is also the sole training agency for Federal and Department of Defense military working dogs and handlers. The group has more than 927 personnel, 180 facilities, and equipment valued at more than $100 million.
Col. Cheatham graduated from the University of Arkansas (Fayetteville) in 2004, where he received his commission from AFROTC Detachment 030. A career Security Forces officer, he has served in assignments spanning nuclear security, antiterrorism, force protection, and expeditionary air base defense, including more than 8 years as commander of three combat-ready squadrons and one officer force generation detachment. His deployment history includes tours with the 586th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron and the 415th Military Police Detachment in support of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM. He is a private pilot and is pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy in Global Leadership from Troy University.
Prior to his current position, Colonel Cheatham served as a Joint Warrior Studies student at the U.S. Air Force Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
EDUCATION
2004 Bachelor of Arts, Criminal Justice & Sociology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
2005 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell Air Force Base (AFB), Ala.
2009 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2010 Master of Arts, Criminal Justice, American Military University, Manassas, Va.
2012 Graduate Certificate, Organizational Management, American Military University, Manassas, Va.
2014 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2017 U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kan.
2017 Master of Military Art and Science, Strategic Studies (West Africa Scholar), U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kan.
2018 Japan Air Self-Defense Force International Air Command and Staff Seminar, Meguro Air Base, Japan
2020 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2022 Joint and Combined Warfighting School – JPME Phase II, Norfolk, Va.
2024 Master of Science, Adult Education, Troy University, Troy, Ala.
2026 Master of Science, Strategic Studies (Joint Warrior Studies), Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. September 2004 – October 2005, Flight Commander, 99th Security Forces Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev.
2. October 2005 – January 2007, Flight Commander & PL-1 Movement Commander, 99th Security Support Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev. (June - December 2006, Battle Captain, 586th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, Camp Bucca, Iraq)
3. January 2007 – May 2008, Officer in Charge, Logistics & Instructor, 99th Ground Combat Training
Squadron, Creech AFB, Nev.
4. May 2008 – December 2010, Operations Officer, 43d Security Forces Squadron, Pope AFB, N.C.
(November 2009 – May 2010, Provost Marshal, in Eastern Afghanistan)
5. December 2010 – December 2011, Commander, 341st Tactical Response Force, Malmstrom AFB, Mont.
6. December 2011 – April 2013, Operations Officer & Convoy Commander, 741st Missile Security Forces Squadron, Malmstrom AFB, Mont.
7. April 2013 – May 2014, Operations Officer, 341st Security Forces Squadron, Malmstrom AFB, Mont.
8. May 2014 – June 2016, Commander, 799th Security Forces Squadron, Creech AFB, Nev.
9. June 2016 – June 2017, Student, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kan.
10. June 2017 – June 2019, Commander, 374th Security Forces Squadron, Yokota Air Base, Japan
11. June 2019 – July 2021, Commander, 55th Security Forces Squadron, Offutt AFB, Neb.
12. July 2021 – July 2023, Deputy Director, Joint Staff Security Office, Directorate of Management, the Joint Staff, Washington, D.C.
13. July 2023 – July 2025, Commander, AFROTC Detachment 670, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Okla.
(May – August 2024, Commander, Training Support Squadron, AFROTC Field Training, Maxwell AFB, Ala.)
14. July 2025 – June 2026, Student, Air War College (Joint Warrior Studies), Maxwell AFB, Ala.
15. June 2026 – Present, Commander, 37th Training Group, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 2021 – July 2023, Deputy Director, Joint Staff Security Office, Directorate of Management, the Joint Staff, Washington, D.C., as a lieutenant colonel
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Army Commendation Medal
Air and Space Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Meritorious Honor Award, Department of State
Norwegian Foot March Badge – Bronze
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2006 United States Air Force Warfare Center Company Grade Officer of the Year
2015 Air Combat Command Outstanding Security Forces Squadron (Commander)
2018 Pacific Air Forces Outstanding Security Forces Squadron (Commander)
2021 Air Force Outstanding Security Forces Squadron (Commander)
2022 MacArthur Writing Award, Joint and Combined Warfighting School
2023 Joint Staff Directorate of Management Action Officer of the Year
2023 Federal Counter-Insider Threat Annual Award for Engagement & Collaboration (Program Manager)
2024 Master Instructor, Air Education and Training Command
2024-2025 Air Force Association Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment of the Year (Okla.) (Commander)
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
“Train with the Brain in Mind: Neuroscience Education as a Force Multiplier,” InterAgency Journal, 8(4), 2017
“Wars of Cognition: How Clausewitz and Neuroscience Influence Future War-Fighter Readiness,” Air & Space Power Journal, 32(4), 2018
“Cognitive Warfare: The Fight for Gray Matter in the Digital Gray Zone,” Joint Force Quarterly, 114, 2024
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant September 3, 2004
First Lieutenant September 3, 2006
Captain September 3, 2008
Major March 1, 2015
Lieutenant Colonel July 1, 2019
Colonel July 1, 2025
(Current as of July 2026)