MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Colonel Evan L. Pettus took command of Air Command and Staff College in a ceremony officiated by Lt. Gen. Anthony J. Cotton, commander and president of Air University, July 27.
As the ACSC Commandant, Pettus is responsible for the in-residence and distance learning professional military education college of midcareer officers and civilians, focused on the development of air-minded joint leaders.
During the ceremony, Cotton thanked Col. James D. Dryjanski, the outgoing commandant of ACSC, for his work in preserving the traditions of ACSC while promoting the institution. Dryjanksi will be staying at Maxwell-Gunter as the commandant of the Thomas N. Barnes Center for Enlisted Education.
“Col. Dryjanski, your contributions toward maintaining that legacy and towards increasing the college’s prestige were tremendous.” said Cotton. “We are excited about the opportunity your leadership brings to the Barnes Center, another high priority for the Chief of Staff and the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force. Congratulations and a job well done.”
Cotton welcomed Pettus and his family to Air University, pointing out the work ahead as ACSC classes just started.
“I have full confidence that the men and women that graduate 10 months from now will be better officers and thought leaders for their services,” Cotton said. “Along the way your team will inspire students to be the driving force behind our Air Force’s modernization, to leverage technology and innovate solutions to enhance our lethality.”
Pettus thanked everyone for their warm welcome and for the opportunity to lead such a great institute into the future. He also welcomed all the students and let them know he was looking forward to working with all of them and interacting with them over the next 10 months.
“To the students, I ask you as you go into the weekend to take a moment and just think fundamentally and take a step back and think why am I here?” said Pettus. “You were taken off front line operational units and critical staff functions for a reason. That reason is when you walk out the other side you should be a better thinker, a better leader, a better warfighter and you will be better equipped to do your part to help your service meet its national objectives.”