Cadre & Staff

Lieutenant Colonel Adam J. Messer is Commander of AFROTC Detachment 340, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts. His team’s mission is to develop quality leaders by preparing students to become officers in the US Air Force and US Space Force while earning a college degree. Lieutenant Colonel Messer was commissioned upon graduating from the United States Air Force Academy with a degree in operations research and a minor in philosophy. He attained a master’s degree and a doctor of philosophy in operations research from the Air Force Institute of Technology in 2011 and ...

Capt. Ashley Olson is an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies at Detachment 340 Worcester, MA. In this position she is responsible for recruiting, training and commissioning cadets at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and eight cross town colleges. Capt. Olson graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in June 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in systems engineering and has served seven years in the active-duty Air Force. In May 2017, Capt Olson graduated from Air Force Intelligence Officer Training and in 2021 she earned a Masters Degree in Intelligence Studies. Prior to her current ...

Captain Justin Baker is currently assigned as an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies at Detachment 340 Worcester, MA. In this position he is responsible for recruiting, training and commissioning cadets at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and eight cross-town colleges. Capt Baker received his commission through Officer Training School in 2017. Following initial training as an Acquisition Officer at Wright Patterson AFB, he began performing duties as the GPS III Launch Operations Lead at the Space and Missile System Center, Los Angeles SFB.  Prior to commissioning, Capt Baker served as an ...

SSgt Tipton entered the USAF after graduating from Basic Military Training in 2014 at Lackland AFB, TX. From June 2015 – June 2017, SSgt Tipton was assigned to the 67th Fighter Squadron, as an F-15 Crew Chief. He was responsible for the inspections, launch and recovery procedures and the maintenance of 25 F-15C/D aircraft.  In July 2017 – July 2019 SSgt Tipton was assigned to the 492nd fighter Squadron where he was responsible for the inspections, launch and recovery procedures and the maintenance of 50 F-15E aircraft, Along with Tasked in supporting the nuclear surety mission. In ...