USAFA Class Heritage Class of 1963

Jay Miller is a native Coloradan, born and raised in Denver. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Air Force Academy and a Master of Science degree in Pubic Administration from Auburn University. He served in both the US Army and the US Air Force. As an Army enlisted man, he served the Army Security Agency as a Korean language translator/interpreter in Korea. After graduating from the Air Force Academy, he attended undergraduate pilot training and was assigned to fly C-130 aircraft from Charleston AFB, SC. He later transitioned into the C-141 flying strategic airlift around the world. He was re-assigned to C-130s and flew the HC-130H/P/N in southeast asia including Vietnam. After returning to the United States, he taught at both the Officer Training School at Lackland AFB, TX and the Air Force Academy. He graduated from the Air Command and Staff College and began his last assignment as advisor to the Utah Wing of the Civil Air Patrol. He retired as an Air Force Command Pilot with over 6000 flying hours and earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, two Meritorious Service Medals and ten Air Medals. After leaving the Air Force, he was a program manager of space programs at InfoTech Development Corporation in Colorado Springs, CO. He worked for McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Corporation in Denver developing the curriculum for both the US Navy and US Air Force's undergraduate pilot training programs. Following the completion of those programs, he moved to the United Airlines Training Center in Denver and led the development and maintenance of their Airbus A320 curriculum for pilots. He retired from United Airlines in 2003. At the request of his granddaughters, he and his wife Norma moved to Rifle in 2004 to watch them grow up. Jay quickly immersed himself in the community as an officer of the Rifle Sportsmen's Club, member of Rotary Clubs International, Commander of American Legion Kelly Hansen Post 78, and President of the Homestead Highlands Townhome Association. Jay was elected to the Rifle City Council in 2007. To fulfill some of his responsibilities to the community, he became a member of the Education Committee of the Garfield County Energy Advisory Board, the Garfield County Senior Advisory Board, the Senior Center Advisory Board, and the Rifle Housing Authority Board. The Rifle City Council elected Jay Mayor in September 2011. He continues to serve in that capacity. 35th Reunion (1998): Jay Miller is Staff Coordinator for Flight Development at United Airlines’ Flight Center in Denver, CO. He is responsible for developing pilot and flight attendant training including the pilot’s advanced qualifications programs for all aircraft. A 1963 graduate of the U. S. Air Force Academy, he holds a master’s degree in Public Administration, Auburn University. A Command Pilot, he has amassed more than 5,500 flying hours in 26 different aircraft, including transport and training aircraft. He flew 250 combat missions and logged over 1,500 hours of combat flying in transport and rescue aircraft. In early assignments, he flew strategic airlift missions from Charleston AFB, SC; rescue missions from the Philippines and Vietnam, taught military training at USAFA, and advised a Civil Air Patrol Wing Commander on leadership and management of personnel and aircraft. Jay retired from the Air Force in October 1981. Initiating a career in civilian life, he directed the education of children in grades one through six, advised military personnel on financial planning, developed computer-based training for space operations, developed training for the US Navy pilot training program, the USAF Specialized UPT program, wrote operating procedures for oil and gas refineries, and is now writing training programs for United Airlines’ aircrew members. Jay and his wife, Norma, have two married sons, and four grandchildren. EDUCATION: 1963 BS USAFA; 1978 Master’s in Public Administration, Auburn; 1978 Air Command and Staff. ASSIGNMENTS: Sept ‘63-Dec ’64, UPT, Reese AFB, TX; Dec ‘64-Dec °68, C-130E and C-141 Aircraft Commander, 76th MAS, Charleston AFB, SC; Dec ‘68-Mar ‘70, HC-130H Rescue Crew Commander, 31st ARRS, Clark AB, PI; Apr ‘70-Jun ‘71, HC-130P/N, Airborne Mission Commander, 39th ARRS, Tuy Hoa AB, RVN; Jun ‘71-Dec ‘73, Flight Commander, Officer Training School (OTS), Lackland AFB, TX; Dec ‘73-Sept ‘77, Deputy Chief, Military Training Division, USAF Academy, CO; Sept ‘77-Jun ‘78, Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL; Jun ‘78-Oct ‘81, Liaison Officer, Utah Wing Civil Air Patrol, Salt lake City, UT; Retired October ‘81, rank of Major. FLIGHT INFORMATION: Rating-Command Pilot; Flight Hours: Over 5,500 hours, including more than 250 combat missions; Aircraft flown on active duty: T-37, T-38, C-130, C-141, HC-130H/P/N, T-33, T-39, T-29, BE-035, BE-036, CES 172, CES 182, CES 182RG and others. MAJOR AWARDS: Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) with one Oak Leaf Cluster(OLC), Air Medal with nine OLCs, Commendation Medal with one OLC, AF Presidential Unit Citation, AF Outstanding Unit Award with four OLC, USAF Distinguished Pistol Badge. {Ed: For the lay reader’s information, an Oak Leaf Cluster represented another award of the decoration; 1.e., Jay received ten Air Medals. } CIVILIAN WORKFORCE: Oct ‘81-Oct ’84, Director, Cheesman Academy, Denver, CO; Oct ’84-Oct ‘87, Field Representative, United Services Life Insurance Company, Denver, CO; Oct ‘87- Oct ‘88, Program Manager, Infotec Development, INC, Colorado Springs, CO; Oct *88-Nov °92, Lead Engineer, McDonnell Douglas Training Systems, Aurora, CO; Nov ‘92-Dec ‘93, Manager, Mountain States Business Solutions, Lakewood, CO; Jan ‘94-Dec ‘95, Multimedia Development Services Consultant, Technology Training Systems, INC, Aurora, CO; Dec ‘95-present, Staff Coordinator-Flight Training Development, United Airlines, Denver, CO.