Air Force Officer joins elite ranks of FBI National Academy graduates

Published Feb. 26, 2025
By Jonathan Cotto
37th Training Wing Public Affairs

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas --

Lt. Col. Jordan Criss, 341st Training Squadron commander, has graduated from the FBI National Academy’s 292nd session, a globally recognized program for law enforcement leaders.

Criss, a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native, began his Air Force journey in 2010 after earning a four-year Command Leadership Scholarship through Junior ROTC.

“My path in the Air Force started with a phenomenal mentor during high school,” Criss said. “It’s been a journey shaped by the people, opportunities, and missions that have defined my career.”

Over his career, Criss has led within the full spectrum of Security Forces duties in a multitude of operational areas. His assignments included execution of nuclear security operations within the northern tier, joint and combined forces security operations in South Korea, Contingency Response deployments to Africa and the Middle East. Additionally, Criss was an advisor to AFWERX on Innovative Force Protection technology solutions for the Air Force.

Now, as the commander of the 341 TRS, Criss is responsible for the Department of Defense training pipeline for the Military Working Dog and Military Working Dog Handler enterprise. Each experience, he said, prepared him for the challenges of the FBI National Academy.

The Academy’s curriculum, which included criminal behavioral analysis, crisis negotiation, fitness challenges like the storied “Yellow Brick Road,” and leadership development, brought together 257 law enforcement professionals from 48 states and 27 countries during the 11-week program.

Two men shake hands in front of a flag — Air Force Officer joins elite ranks of FBI National Academy graduates

Lt. Col. Jordan Criss, Commander, 341st Training Squadron, poses with Col. Greg Bodenstein, Commander, 37th Training Group, after the FBI National Academy graduation ceremony on Dec.12 in Quantico, Va. Criss’s accomplishment makes him the third member currently at the 37th Training Wing to complete the prestigious program. (Courtesy Photo)

Air Force Lt. Col. stands with a yellow brick in front of the Military Working Dogs shield. — Air Force Officer joins elite ranks of FBI National Academy graduates

Lt. Col. Jordan Criss proudly holds the Yellow Brick, awarded upon completing the FBI National Academy’s challenging “Yellow Brick Road” obstacle course, in front of the Military Working Dog crest. The symbol represents his perseverance, physical fitness, and dedication during the Academy’s 11-week program. (Courtesy Photo)

Lt. Col. Criss poses with wife in front of flag — Air Force Officer joins elite ranks of FBI National Academy graduates

Lt. Col. Jordan Criss and his wife, Natalie Criss, pose for a photo following the FBI National Academy graduation ceremony on Dec.12 in Quantico, Va. The milestone marks Criss’s completion of the Academy’s 11-week program and makes him the third member currently at the 37th Training Wing to complete the program. (Courtesy Photo)

“The relationships and knowledge I’ve gained from law enforcement leaders across the globe are invaluable,” Criss said.

Col. Greg Bodenstein, commander of the 37th Training Group and an FBI National Academy alumni, praised Criss’s achievement. “This program is for the top 1% of law enforcement leaders worldwide,” Bodenstein said. “His selection and success are a testament to his career and the Air Force’s confidence in his leadership.”

Bodenstein, who attended Criss’s graduation, reflected on the program’s impact. “The networks built there open doors globally,” he said. “For Lt. Col. Criss, these connections will be invaluable as he transitions to his new role at Pacific Air Forces.”

Criss’s next assignment as Deputy A4S for Pacific Air Forces, based in Hawaii, aligns with his career trajectory.

“The Pacific is where our strategic focus lies,” Criss said. “This role is an opportunity to contribute at a critical time.”

Criss credited his family and mentors for their support. “My wife and kids have been my rock,” he said. His wife and family, lifelong fans of true crime stories, shared his excitement for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. “This accomplishment is as much theirs as it is mine,” Criss added.

Bodenstein emphasized the importance of support systems. “No one achieves this alone,” he said. “Spouses, families, and mentors are crucial to success.”

For Criss, the Academy offered more than professional development; it emphasized wellness, resilience, and emotional intelligence. “Law enforcement and security roles often bring us into people’s lives at their worst moments,” he explained. “The Academy reinforced the importance of self-care and post-traumatic growth for leaders and their teams.”

Upon returning to his role at the 341 TRS, Criss expressed pride in his team for maintaining excellence during his absence. The squadron is instrumental in the Department of Defense’s MWD training program, producing world-class handlers and dogs for national security.

Looking ahead, Criss aims to mentor the next generation of leaders. “Leadership is a contact sport,” he said. “I want to invest in others as my mentors invested in me.”