Captain Robert Rauff is an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies and Operations Flight Commander, Detachment 520, Cornell University, New York. He leads and instructs 66 cadets in the completion and certification of all requirements required to commission into the Air Force and Space Force.
Captain Rauff entered the Air Force in 2012 after graduating from Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, Texas. Prior to commissioning, he served as a Crew Chief in the 90th Aircraft Maintenance Unit where he maintained F-22s at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. He then attended the United States Air Force Academy Prep school, graduating with the Air Force Academy class of 2020. In 2023, he attained a Master’s of Education degree from Penn State University, Pennsylvania. Prior to his current position he was the Maintenance Flight Commander, 305th Maintenance Squadron, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey.
EDUCATION
2015 Associates in Aviation Maintenance Technology, Community College of the Air Force
2016 USAF Academy Preparatory School, US Air Force Academy, Colorado
2020 Bachelor of Science in Foreign Area Studies with German Minor, US Air Force Academy, Colorado
2021 Aircraft Maintenance Officer’s Course, Sheppard AFB, TX
2023 Master of Education Curriculum and Instruction: Social Studies Education, Penn State University, Pennsylvania
ASSIGNMENTS
1. March 2013 – July 2015, Crew Chief, 90th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, JB Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska
2. July 2015 – May 2016, Cadet Candidate, USAF Academy Prep School, US Air Force Academy, Colorado
3. June 2016 – April 2020, Cadet, USAF Academy, US Air Force Academy, Colorado
4. June 2020 – June 2021, Support Officer-in-Charge, 605th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Joint Base McGuire-Dix- Lakehurst, New Jersey
5. June 2021 – June 2022 Accessories Flight Commander, 305th Maintenance Squadron, Joint Base McGuire-Dix- Lakehurst, New Jersey
6. June 2022 – October 2022, Assistant Aircraft Maintenance Unit Officer-in-Charge, 605th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Joint Base McGuire-Dix- Lakehurst, New Jersey
7. October 2022 – June 2023, Aircraft Maintenance Unit Officer-in-Charge, 605th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Joint Base McGuire-Dix- Lakehurst, New Jersey
8. June 2023 – June 2024, Maintenance Flight Commander, 305th Maintenance Squadron, Joint Base McGuire-Dix- Lakehurst, New Jersey
9. June 2024 – Present, Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies, Detachment 520, Cornell University, New York.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
AF Good Conduct Medal 1 Oak Leaf Cluster
Humanitarian Service Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant April 18, 2020
First Lieutenant April 18, 2022
Captain April 18, 2024