Detachment 520Cornell University
Assistant Professor · Recruiting Officer
Major John J. Novotny
Maj. John Novotny is an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies at Detachment 520, Cornell University, New York, where he leads and instructs cadets in the completion and certification of all requirements to commission into the United States Air Force.
Career
Maj. Novotny is a prior-enlisted career intelligence officer. After enlisting and serving as an airborne cryptologic linguist for 7 years, he received his commission in 2015 through Officer Training School at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. He completed intelligence officer training in July 2016, and since then has held multiple intelligence positions. From 2016 to 2020, Maj. Novotny served as a course director, instructor, and evaluator for two intelligence formal training courses at the 423rd Mobility Training Squadron, United States Air Force Expeditionary Operations School, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. Additionally, from January to May 2019, he served as Officer in Charge of Intelligence support to the 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron while deployed to Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar.
Prior to his current position, Maj. Novotny was the Deputy Chief, Analysis, Correlation, and Fusion at the 613th Air Operations Center, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. During this time, he led a team of 17 intelligence analysts providing the 613th Air Operations Center and 59 tactical units with timely and tailored all-source intelligence, supporting the planning, execution, and assessment of theater-wide air operations in line with Theater Joint Force Air Component Commander strategic objectives.
Education
2006 — Bachelor of Science, Secondary Education–Social Studies, Kutztown University, Kutztown, PA
2010 — Associate of Arts, Pashto-Afghan Language, Defense Language Institute, Presidio of Monterey, CA
2013 — Associate of Science, Intelligence Analysis, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL
2014 — Master of Science, International Relations–National Security Affairs, Troy University, Troy, AL
2021 — Master of Arts, Regional Security Studies–Northeast Asia, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA
2022 — Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL
Assignments
January 2016 – July 2016, Student, Intelligence Officer Training Course, 315th Training Squadron, Goodfellow Air Force Base, TX
July 2016 – June 2018, Course Director, Force Protection Intelligence Formal Training Unit, 423rd Mobility Training Squadron, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ (January 2018 – May 2018, Officer-in-Charge, Intelligence Unit Support, 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar)
June 2018 – April 2019, Executive Officer, 423rd Mobility Training Squadron, JB McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ
April 2019 – October 2019, Deputy Flight Commander, Air Advisor Flight, 423rd Mobility Training Squadron, JB McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ
October 2019 – August 2020, Executive Officer, Expeditionary Operations School, JB McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ
August 2020 – January 2022, Student, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA
February 2022 – October 2023, Deputy Chief Targets, 613th Air Operations Center, JB Pearl Harbor-Hickam, HI
October 2023 – December 2024, Deputy Chief Analysis, Correlation, Fusion, 613th Air Operations Center, JB Pearl Harbor-Hickam, HI
December 2024 – Present, Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies, Detachment 520, Cornell University, NY
Major awards and decorations
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Medal with 5 oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two service stars
Publications
“U.S. Policy Towards China: From Cooperation to Competition,” Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA, December 2021
Effective dates of promotion
- Second LieutenantDecember 11, 2015
- First LieutenantDecember 11, 2017
- CaptainDecember 11, 2019
- MajorSeptember 1, 2024
