Captain Mark D. Zlatek

Captain Mark D. Zlatek is an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies and Recruiting Officer with Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment 105A at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. He serves as the AS200 instructor, providing undergraduate instruction in leadership, followership, team development, problem-solving, and professional communication. He mentors and advises cadets, supports recruiting and accession counseling for prospective cadets, and coordinates professional development opportunities and engagement with university, military, and community partners.

Captain Zlatek began his Air Force career in September 2009 when he enlisted as a geospatial intelligence analyst. He commissioned in May 2019 as a distinguished graduate of Officer Training School. His career spans enlisted and commissioned service in intelligence operations, collection management, formal instruction, staff leadership, flight command, and officer development. His assignments have included Air Education and Training Command, United States Air Forces in Europe, and Space Operations Command, as well as a deployment to Ankara, Turkey, in support of Operation NOMAD SHADOW. 

Prior to joining Air Force ROTC, Captain Zlatek served as Flight Commander of the Intelligence Analysis Flight, 20th Intelligence Squadron, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. He led a team of 33 military and civilian analysts responsible for effects-based targeting assessments supporting U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and U.S. Central Command operational requirements. He previously served as Flight Commander of the Training and Innovation Flight, 20th Intelligence Squadron. Earlier assignments included service as Executive Officer to the Space Operations Command S2 and Chief of the Tactical Analysis Section at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado. While enlisted, he served as an instructor for the Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Operations Course at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, and held intelligence analysis and collection-management positions at Beale Air Force Base, California; Ramstein Air Base, Germany; and the Combined Intelligence Fusion Cell–Ankara, Turkey.

Captain Zlatek holds a Master of Science in Global Security Studies from Angelo State University, a Bachelor of Arts in Intelligence Studies from American Military University, and Associate of Applied Science degrees in Intelligence Studies and Instructor of Technology and Military Science from the Community College of the Air Force. He is a distinguished graduate of Officer Training School, a top graduate of the Air Force Intelligence Officer Course, an Air Force Basic Military Training honor graduate, and an Air Education and Training Command Master Instructor.

Captain Zlatek is married to Heather, and they have two sons, Oliver and Cooper.

2010 Geospatial Intelligence Analysis Course, Goodfellow AFB, Texas
2014 Associate of Applied Science, Intelligence Studies, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2014 Airman Leadership School, Ramstein AB, Germany
2016 Associate of Applied Science, Instructor of Technology and Military Science, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2018 Bachelor of Arts, Intelligence Studies, American Military University, Charles Town, West Virginia
2023 Master of Science, Global Security Studies, Angelo State University, San Angelo, Texas

Sep 2009 – Nov 2009, Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, TX
Nov 2009 – May 2010, Geospatial Intelligence Analysis Course, 315 TRS, Goodfellow AFB, TX
May 2010 – Feb 2012, Full-Motion Video/High-Altitude Analyst, DGS-2, Beale AFB, CA
Feb 2012 – Feb 2015, Geospatial Intelligence Collection Manager, 603 AOC, Ramstein AB, Germany
Feb 2015 – Oct 2016, ISR Operations Course Instructor, 315 TRS, Goodfellow AFB, TX
Oct 2016 – May 2017, Geospatial Intelligence Analyst, CIFC-A, Ankara, Turkey
May 2017 – Mar 2019, ISR Operations Course Instructor, 315 TRS, Goodfellow AFB, TX
Mar 2019 – May 2019, Officer Training School, Maxwell AFB, AL
May 2019 – Dec 2019, Remotely Piloted Aircraft Initial Pilot Training, Randolph AFB, TX
Dec 2019 – Oct 2020, Intelligence Officer Course, Goodfellow AFB, TX
Oct 2020 – Oct 2021, Chief, Tactical Analysis Section, Space Operations Center, Peterson SFB, CO
Oct 2021 – Aug 2023, Executive Officer, SpOC S2, Peterson SFB, CO
Aug 2023 – Feb 2024, Flight Commander, Training and Innovation Flight, 20 IS, Offutt AFB, NE
Feb 2024 – Jun 2026, Flight Commander, Intelligence Analysis Flight, 20 IS, Offutt AFB, NE
Jul 2026 – Present, Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies, AFROTC Det 105A, UCCS, Colorado Springs, CO

Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Officer Training School Distinguished Graduate
Air Force Intelligence Officer Course Top Graduate
Air Force Basic Military Training Honor Graduate
Air Education and Training Command Master Instructor

Airman Basic – Sep 2009
Airman – Mar 2010
Airman First Class – Jan 2011
Senior Airman – Mar 2012
Staff Sergeant – Apr 2014
Technical Sergeant – Jan 2019
Second Lieutenant – May 2019
First Lieutenant – May 2021
Captain – May 2023