Jacob D. Maywald

Jacob D. Maywald serves as an Assistant Professor at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), bringing extensive military logistics expertise to his academic role. A U.S. Air Force Major and career Logistics Readiness Officer commissioned in 2011, he has deployed for Operations IRAQI FREEDOM, ENDURING FREEDOM, and INHERENT RESOLVE. His operational background includes Material Management and Fuels Management flight command, leadership of the 635th Supply Chain Operations Wing’s analytics division, and deputy directorship of Special Operations Command Central’s forward logistics division.

His academic credentials include:

• Ph.D. in Logistics Systems (2022), University of North Texas
• M.S. in Logistics and Supply Chain Management (2016), AFIT
• M.A. in Political Science (2016), American Military University
• B.S. in Applied Science (2010), Campbell University

Dr. Maywald's research bridges military operations with supply chain theory, focusing on logistics resilience, technology integration, and strategic airlift. His work examines warehouse automation through autonomous mobile robots, human-technology collaboration frontiers, and supply chain control tower critical success factors. Military applications drive his investigations into logistics interdiction scenarios and wargaming for mission planning.

Analysis of his 8 publications (2017-2024) reveals evolving research trajectories: early work debunked strategic/tactical airlift distinctions (2017) and developed aircraft selection heuristics (2019), while recent studies address Taiwan logistics interdiction (2023), warehouse robotics (2021), and wargaming decision support (2024). His publications span military journals like Air & Space Power Journal, operations research venues including Annals of Operations Research, and professional outlets such as War on the Rocks.

Though no formal awards are documented, his peer-reviewed publications and presentations at MORS Symposium and EurOMA conferences indicate professional recognition. As an active-duty military officer in academia, he likely mentors AFIT graduate students in logistics programs, applying his operational experience from Scott AFB and Special Operations Command Central to real-world curriculum development.