The new top cop at the Air Force Academy took command of the 10th Security Forces Squadron June 21. 

Lt. Col. Marcus Corbett will be the first Reserve officer to command the 10th Security Forces Squadron full time. He's also the first Reserve officer in Air Force history to command a security forces squadron.

He said he looks forward to protecting an installation that hosts hundreds of high level annual events, including cadet graduation ceremonies, Parent’s Weekend and Falcon football games.

“The challenge is conducting these events in an efficient process while protecting the assets of the base,” Corbett said. “The beautiful thing is that I have a squadron full of Airmen and personnel who have already approached this challenge and succeeded.”

Col. Ken Ohlson, 10th Mission Support Group commander, said Corbett was highly recommended. He confirmed that Corbett was one of five reservists to make the final candidate list for the position.

Ohlson said the Air Force is experiencing a decrease in available lieutenant colonels who have not yet commanded. 

Corbett’s last assignment was as an individual mobilization augmentee for the 50th Security Forces Squadron at Schriever Air Force Base, where he filled in for Lt. Col Michael Speck.

“Not all active duty security forces officers are selected to command,” Speck said in a Schriever news report. “It’s a competitive process. For a reservist to be selected [to command] is an achievement, especially for a high-profile unit like the Academy.”  

Before his assignment to Schriever, Corbett was assigned to the Air Force Academy Preparatory School and the Center for Character and Leadership Development. He was an active duty officer for 11 years before joining the Reserve.  

Corbett is a 1998 graduate of the Academy.