Colonel Darren A. Paladino is currently the Chief of Staff and Senior Policy Advisor for the Air Force Reserve to the Reserve Forces Policy Board (RFPB), Office of the Secretary of Defense, Washington, D.C. The Reserve Forces Policy Board serves as an independent adviser to the Secretary of Defense, providing advice and recommendations to the Secretary on strategies, policies, and practices designed to improve and enhance the capabilities, efficiency and effectiveness of the seven Reserve components.

Colonel Paladino earned his commission from the United States Air Force Academy, then completed over 11 years on active duty as an aircraft maintenance officer and acquisition program manager before joining the Air Force Reserve. As a reservist, he served as an Air Reserve Technician, Active-Guard Reserve officer, and Traditional Reservist.

He holds a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy from the National Defense University, a Master of Arts in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix, and a Bachelor of Science in History from the United States Air Force Academy. Colonel Paladino is a graduate of the USAF Advanced Maintenance and Munitions Officer School, Air War College by correspondence, Advanced Joint Professional Military Education, the Defense Acquisition University Program Management Office Course, and the Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy. His certifications include Joint Qualified Officer, Level II Acquisition Program Manager, and Project Management Professional (PMP) credentials.

During his career, Colonel Paladino commanded an aircraft maintenance squadron and advised Iraqi forces while deployed during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. His staff assignments included logistics, resourcing, force programming, operations, and reserve component policy staff assignments at the Major Command, Air Staff, Combatant Command, and Office of the Secretary of Defense levels. Most recently, Colonel Paladino served at the United States Transportation Command. In this role as Chief, Deployment Distribution Operations Center, he was responsible for execution oversight of all major deployments conducted by the transportation component commands.

Colonel Paladino’s awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal 6th award, and the usual decorations expected for an officer of his service.

In his civilian professional capacity, he recently served as a Department of Defense civilian in business transformation roles with the Office of the Chief Management Officer’s Program Analysis Division at the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the Undersecretary of the Air Force for Management’s Business Systems and Performance Directorate at the Department of the Air Force.

(Current as of February 2021)