Ask5: Lessons in Leadership with Retired Colonel Scott Stewart, '98

Join us for Ask5: Lessons in Leadership, with retired Colonel Scott Stewart, '98. In this discussion, we explore the transition from military to civilian careers, the challenges and opportunities of career pivoting, and the leadership skills that translate across industries. Colonel Stewart shares insights on workforce development, mentoring, and building a strong professional foundation. Whether you're a veteran navigating your next steps or a professional looking to enhance your leadership abilities, this conversation offers valuable lessons on career growth and success.

Bio: Colonel Scott D. Stewart last assigned was the Commander of the 919th Special Operations Mission Support Group Duke Field, Florida. He was responsible to provide essential services to the 919th Special Operation Wing. The 550-plus group provided; security forces, fire, civil engineers, communication and service support personnel to ensure the Wing’s mission was accomplished. He was also the Chief of Special Projects Office for Security Forces, Pentagon, working on the new design of the Air Force’s command centers, Globally. Prior to that, he was hand selected as Deputy Chief of Air Force Criminal Justice Information Cell which was a newly established position; ordered by the Secretary of the Air Force. It is a joint position working side-by-side with OSI to ensure proper criminal indexing of all Air Force personnel. It was created in an effort to prevent similar incidents like which occurred in Sutherland Springs, Texas.

Colonel Stewart was the Commander of the 910th Security Forces Squadron, Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Ohio. He was the Top Cop on base, managing a 165-person squadron. About half of his tour there, he filled in as the Mission Support Group Commander, caring for some 660-Airmen. He has also worked at Headquarters Air Force Protocol, orchestrated ceremonies, major events and conferences for the Secretary of the Air Force, Chief of Staff and other top Air Force leaders.

Colonel Stewart received his commission through the United States Army Officer Candidate School at Camp Blanding Starke, Florida. He has held various operational and staff positions at the squadron, wing and headquarters level, to include multiple tours of duty in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. Colonel Stewart deployed to Baghdad, Iraq in 2006 as a Battle Major with the essential role of protecting the Iraqi Prime Minister, President and other top Iraqi leaders. He then deployed to Camp As Sayliyah, Qatar in 2007 leading a team throughout the Middle East, conducting key inspections. In 2009 he returned to Baghdad, as the “Force Protection Officer” (ATO) for the entire country of Iraq, working directly for the U.S. Commanding General for all forces in Iraq. Most notably, the successful 2010 elections in Iraq were part of the duties during this deployment.

EDUCATION
1985 Air Force Basic Training and Security Forces Academy
1995 OCS, Camp Blanding Florida (Army)
1996 Officer Basic Course (Army)
1998 Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice, SUNY Empire State College
2000 Captain Command Course Phase I/II (Army)
2001 Security Forces Advanced Officer Course Phase I
2004 Master’s Degree in Emergency Disaster Management, Touro University
2004 Security Forces Advanced Officer Course Phase II
2006 Force Protection Level II
2006 Air Command and Staff College (correspondence)
2018 Air War College (correspondence)
2024 Graduation from UNCC, NC MBA focus on management/accounting

ASSIGNMENTS
1. April 1985 – August 1988, Law Enforcement Specialist, Patrick AFB, FL
2. May 1996 – October 1996, (Army) Executive Officer, 2-265th “A” Battery Titusville, FL
3. November 1996 – October 1998, (Army) Platoon Leader, 3-265th “C” Battery Tampa Bay, FL
4. November 1998 – October 1999, (Army) Aide-de-Camp, Orlando, FL
5. October 1999 – January 2001, (Army) Plans Officer, G1 Personnel Division, Orlando, FL
6. February 2001 – September 2001, Plans & Resources, 55th Security Forces Squadron, Offutt AFB, NE
7. September 2001 – May 2002, Elite Guard Flight Commander, USSTRATCOM, NE
8. May 2002 – September 2002, Asst Operations Officer, 55th Security Forces Squadron, Offutt AFB, NE
9. September 2002 – June 2003, Operations Officer, 374th Security Forces Squadron, Yokota AB, Japan
10. June 2003 - August 2005, Plans and Programs, 374th Air Wing, Yokota AB, Japan
11. August 2005 – August 2009, Chief, Plans and Exercises, 9th Air Force, Shaw AFB, SC
12. March 2006 – August 2006, Senior Battle Captain, US Embassy, Baghdad, Iraq
13. February 2007 – August 2007, Force Protection Assessment Leader, Camp As Sayliyah, Qatar
14. June 2009 – June 2010, Force Protection Branch Chief, Camp Victory, Iraq
15. August 2010 – November 2011, Chief, Security Forces Ops, HQ Pacific Air Forces, JBPH-Hickam, HI
16. February 2012 – January 2015, Defense Force Commander, 610th Security Forces Squadron, NAS Fort Worth, TX 17. January 2015 – October 2016, Deputy Provost Marshal, USCENTCOM, CCJ3-JSO, MacDill AFB, FL
18. October 2011 – October 2016, Protocol Officer, HQ Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
19. October 2016 – October 2019, Present Day, Commander 910th Security Forces Squadron, Youngstown ARS, Ohio 20. October 2019 – January 2020, Deputy Chief, Air Force Criminal Information Cell, Quantico Marine Base, VA
21. January 2020 – August 2020, Chief Special Projects Office, A4S Pentagon Headquarters, Washington D.C.
22. August 2020 – November 2022, Commander of the 919th Special Operations Mission Support Group Duke Field, Florida.

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merritt
Bronze Star
Meritorious Service Medal, awarded 2 times
Joint Service Commendation Medal, awarded 2 times
Air Force Commendation Medal
Army Commendation Medal
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Joint Meritorious Unit Award AF Outstanding Unit Award, awarded 7 times
Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, awarded 3 times
Iraq Campaign Medal, awarded 2 times
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon w/Gold Border, awarded 3 times

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTIONS
Second Lieutenant 1 August 1996
First Lieutenant 1 June 1998
Captain 1 November 2000
Major 1 August 2006
Lieutenant Colonel 14 September 2012
Colonel 1 October 2019