View source for Carl A. Spaatz Center for Officer Education

{{Organization
|OrganizationName=Carl A. Spaatz Center for Officer Education
|OrganizationType=Educational Institution
|Mission=Carl A. Spaatz Center for Officer Education develops Air Force officers into strategic leaders with enhanced skills and expertise for challenges
|ParentOrganization=Air University
|TopOrganization=Department of the Air Force
|OrganizationExecutive=Commander
|Services=Professional military education; leadership development; strategic education
|HeadquartersLocation=32.38463, -86.36533
|HeadquartersAddress=55 LeMay Plaza South, Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery, AL 36112
}}
'''Carl A. Spaatz Center for Officer Education (Spaatz Center)''' was an educational unit within the Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery, Alabama, dedicated to the professional development of U.S. Air Force officers. It was named after General Carl A. Spaatz, the first Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force. The center was responsible for integrating and coordinating officer professional military education across various schools and courses.

==Mission==

The mission of the Spaatz Center was to educate and develop Air Force officers in leadership, strategic thinking, and operational skills, ensuring they are prepared to lead in complex, dynamic environments. This included providing a continuum of education from basic to advanced levels to foster critical thinking and ethical leadership.<ref>Air University (2025). [https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/About-Us/ "About Us"]. Air University.</ref>

==Parent organization==

The Carl A. Spaatz Center for Officer Education was part of the [[Air University]], which itself is a component of the [[Department of the Air Force]]. The Air University oversees all professional military education for Air Force personnel, providing education from basic to the highest levels of leadership training.<ref>Air University (2025). [https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/About-Us/ "About Us"]. Air University.</ref>

==Legislation==

The Spaatz Center was not established by specific legislation but was part of the organizational structure of the Air Force's educational system, which has evolved under various Department of Defense directives and Air Force regulations.

==Partners==

* Various departments within the Air Force for curriculum development and training
* Other branches of the U.S. military for joint educational efforts

==Number of employees==

The exact number of employees is not publicly specified, but the center operated with a staff including educators, administrative personnel, and support staff from the Air University.

==Organization structure==

The Spaatz Center coordinated the officer education programs at Air University, which included:

===Leader===

The center was led by a [[Commander, Carl A. Spaatz Center for Officer Education]].

===Divisions===

* Air War College for senior-level officers
* Air Command and Staff College for mid-career officers
* Squadron Officer School for company-grade officers

==List of programs==

* Air War College
* Air Command and Staff College
* Squadron Officer School

==Last total enacted budget==

Specific budget figures for the Spaatz Center are not publicly disclosed, as it was part of the broader Air University budget.

==Staff==

Staff at the Spaatz Center included various ranks of military personnel and civilian educators focused on officer training and development.

==Funding==

Funding for the Spaatz Center came from the overall budget allocation to the Department of the Air Force for education and training.

==Services provided==

The Spaatz Center provided education services aimed at developing leadership, strategic planning, and operational skills among Air Force officers. This included courses on national security strategy, leadership theory, and military history.<ref>Air University (2025). [https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/About-Us/ "About Us"]. Air University.</ref>

==Headquarters address==

55 LeMay Plaza South, Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery, AL 36112

==History==

The Carl A. Spaatz Center for Officer Education was established in 2008 to integrate the various officer schools under one command for a more cohesive educational strategy. It was named in honor of General Carl A. Spaatz. However, the center was disestablished in 2017, with its functions being redistributed among the schools under Air University to streamline operations and focus more directly on individual school missions.<ref>Air University (2025). [https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/About-Us/History/ "History"]. Air University.</ref>

==External links==

* [https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/ Air University Official Website]
* [[wikipedia:Air University (United States Air Force)|Air University on Wikipedia]]

==References==

<references />