COLONEL BENJAMIN A. JANS
Colonel Jans is the 71st Mission Support Group Commander,
71st Flying Training Wing at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma. As
the Installation Manager, he is responsible for the $550M flying
operations and base operations contracts and all support for
the Vance mission and community, including procurement, civil
engineering, firefighting, security and law enforcement,
communications, personnel, supply, transportation, housing,
recreation, and services activities.
Colonel Jans’ experience spanned all levels of financial
management to include base-level, major command and air
staff. He also served as a Squadron Commander three times.
Colonel Jans is a native Butte, North Dakota. He enlisted in the
Air Force under the Delayed Enlistment Program in February
1992 during his senior year. He initially served 5 years as a
Services Specialist. In October 1997, he cross-trained into the
Comptroller career field, achieving the grade of Staff Sergeant.
After graduating from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, he
earned his commission through Officer Training School in
October 2003. He and his wife, Nancy, have one son, Seth.
Prior to this assignment, Colonel Jans was Director of Financial
Management and Comptroller, Space Systems Command, Los
Angeles Air Force Base, California.
EDUCATION
2000 Associate of Science, Financial Management, Community College of the Air Force
2002 Associate of Science, Aviation Business Administration, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
2002 Bachelor of Science, Management of Technical Operations, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
2004 Aerospace Basic Course in residence, Maxwell AFB, AL
2008 Squadron Officer School in residence, Maxwell AFB, AL
2009 Master of Business Administration, Trident University International
2013 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
2016 Masters of Military Operational Arts and Sciences, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL
2024 Master of Strategic Studies, Air War College, Maxwell, AFB, AL
ASSIGNMENTS
Nov 2003 – Mar 2004, Deputy Flight Commander, Financial Services, 71 CPTS, Vance AFB, Okla.
Mar 2004 – Mar 2005, Deputy Flight Commander, Financial Analysis, 71 CPTS, Vance AFB, Okla.
Apr 2005 – Nov 2005, Flight Commander, Financial Services, 71 CPTS, Vance AFB, Okla.
Nov 2005 – May 2007, Command Comptroller Inspector, HQ ACC/IG, Langley AFB, Va.
May 2007 – Nov 2009, Chief, Management Headquarters, HQ ACC/FM, Langley AFB, Va. (Nov 2007 – Mar 2008, Foreign Military
Sales Host Nation Support Coordinator, Security Assistance Office, Baghdad, Iraq)
Nov 2009 – Jun 2010, MAJCOM Budget Analyst, HQ ACC/FM, Langley AFB, Va.
Jun 2010 – Jun 2012, Headquarters Budget Analyst, Directorate of Budget Operations, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air
Force for Financial Management and Comptroller, the Pentagon, Washington D.C. (Jun 2011 – Nov 2011, Lead Foreign Military
Sales Budget Officer, 321st Air Expeditionary Wing, Baghdad, Iraq)
Jun 2012 – Jun 2013, Lead Flying Hour Analyst, Directorate of Budget Operations, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force
for Financial Management and Comptroller, the Pentagon, Washington D.C.
Jun 2013 – Jul 2015, Commander, 36 CPTS and 36 Wing Staff Agencies, Andersen AFB, Guam
Jul 2015 – Jun 2016, Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
Jun 2016 – Jul 2018, Commander, 11th Comptroller Squadron, 11th Wing, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
Jul 2018 – Jul 2020, Commander, 375 Comptroller Squadron, 375 Air Mobility Wing, Scott AFB, Ill.
Jul 2020 – Jun 2023, Chief, Budget Operations Branch, HQ Space Operations Command, Peterson SFB, Colo.
Jul 2023 – May 2024, Student, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
Jun 2024 – Jun 2025, Director, Financial Management & Comptroller, Space Systems Command, Los Angeles AFB, Calif.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Good Conduct Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Recognition Ribbon
National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star
Southwest Asia Service Medal with one bronze star
Iraq Campaign Medal with two bronze stars
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Korean Defense Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
1997 Diamond Leadership Award, Airman Leadership School, Malmstrom AFB, Mont.
2004 Outstanding Contributor, Aerospace Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2004 Distinguished Graduate, Basic Financial Management Officers Course, Keesler AFB, Miss.
2006 Company Grade Officer of the Year, HQ ACC/IG, Langley, Va.
2006 Educator of the Year, HQ ACC/FM, Langley, Va
2020 Air Mobility Command Major General Alfred K. Flowers Comptroller Organization of the Year, 375 CPTS, Scott AFB, Ill.
2020 United States Space Force Larry O. Spencer Special Acts & Services Award, HQ USSF/S8, Peterson Garrison, Colo.
2021 Field Grade Officer of the Year, HQ SpOC Directorate of Resource Management & Special Prgms, Peterson SFB, Colo.
2022 SAF/FM Larry O. Spencer Special Acts & Services Award, HQ SpOC Financial Analysis Division, Peterson SFB, Colo.
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant October 2003
First Lieutenant October 2005
Captain October 2007
Major December 2013
Lieutenant Colonel August 2018
Colonel August 2024
(CURRENT AS OF JULY 2025)