Lt Col Jack Skoda Celebrates 15 Years of Impacting Cyberspace Professional Continuing Education Published Dec. 19, 2024 By Capt. Charles Dana Air Force Institute of Technology WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Lt. Col. Jack Skoda, a dedicated educator and cybersecurity expert, has recently marked his 15th and final year of impacting the United States Department of the Air Force and joint cyberspace workforce at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT). As a professional continuing education instructor, Skoda has positively influenced the lives of over 7,600 officer, enlisted, and civilian Department of Defense students, empowering them with the knowledge and skills to excel in this dynamic field. A traditional guardsman with the Vermont Air National Guard, Skoda served as an adjunct instructor in AFIT’s Department of Cyberspace Studies (AFIT/EXC) for the Joint Intermediate (Cyberspace 200) and Advanced (Cyberspace 300) Cyberspace Operations courses every summer since 2010. He is also a college professor at Norwich University and an associate vice president of cybersecurity research at the Norwich University Applied Research Institutes. The Air Force Institute of Technology's Cyber 200/300 Team was awarded the U.S. Government Information Security Leadership Award for demonstrated leadership in advancing and improving the information security workforce. Accepting the award are (from left) Chief Master Sgt. Brian L. Hale, Chief Master Sgt. Michael T. Woelfle, Capt. Jack Scoda, Ms. Jane White, Ms. Jaime Jones, Dr. Harold Arata, Maj. George Galloway and Senior Master Sgt. Michael Wabiszewski. (Contributed photo) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Skoda's commitment to Air Force cyberspace professional continuing education and contributions to AFIT began in the spring of 2010 when he helped establish the Air Force’s cyberspace professional continuing education program, making him an original founder of the now renowned Cyberspace 200 and Cyberspace 300 courses. His dedication to providing relevant and engaging coursework has been instrumental in ensuring that the program remains at the forefront of the career field’s needs. The dean of AFIT’s School of Strategic Force Studies, Col. Christopher Landwehr, noted that “the contributions Jack has made to Air Force cyberspace professional continuing education are truly exceptional. His innovative approaches, unwavering commitment, and forward-thinking mindset have set a high standard for cyberspace education. Jack’s work has not only prepared thousands of operators to meet today’s challenges but has also laid a strong foundation for the future of our cyber forces.” Throughout his military and civilian career, Skoda has participated in numerous advisory board meetings and course curriculum reviews to ensure the content of the courses aligns with the evolving needs of cyberspace operators. His innovative approach to education included the development of the Cyberspace Warfare Operations career field knowledge skill and ability heat map, which has played a vital role over the past six years in shaping the learning outcomes for students. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Skoda has provided technical support for 100 virtual machines in the AFIT/EXC network. Over the years, his efforts have resulted in the creation of capstone ranges, course delivery automations, and core network services that enhance the learning experience for students as the courses have evolved. Skoda’s dedication to education extends beyond the classroom. He has been instrumental in developing the AFIT/EXC mobile training range system, which has been used to deliver materials by faculty to international students in support of coalition partners from over 20 countries. Lt. Col. Jason Fields, the director of AFIT/EXC, recently stated, “Jack’s technical acumen and his exceptional instructor skills have been a force multiplier for our department, the Air Force Institute of Technology, and the Cyberspace Warfare Operations career field. His in-person presence will be missed, but his 15 years of contributions will continue to have effects on our curriculum, faculty, and students.” As Skoda celebrates 15 years of outstanding support to AFIT, we commend him for his unwavering commitment to education and his significant contributions to the field of cyberspace operations and cybersecurity. His passion for teaching and his dedication to empowering the next generation of Department of Defense cyberspace operators have made a lasting impact.