Colonel Cody J. Hess is the Commander of the Kirtland Medical Group, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. The Kirtland Medical Group provides operational and expeditionary medical and dental support to the 377th Air Base Wing, 58th Special Operations Wing, 150th Special Operations Wing of the New Mexico Air National Guard, and more than 100 mission partners. He leads a team of 300 military and civilian healthcare professionals providing care for 34,000 beneficiaries, manages a $26 million budget, and serves as the principal medical advisor to the 377th Air Base Wing Commander. He is responsible for providing comprehensive health services to maintain the highest degree of readiness for nuclear surety operations, contingency war mobilization, and Homeland Defense plans. Col Hess leads a sharing venture with New Mexico Veterans Affairs Health Care System to enhance the quality and delivery of health services, while building strong foundations for continuing medical education and clinical readiness currency.
Col Hess received a direct commission into the Medical Service Corps and was a distinguished graduate of Officer Training School in 2007. His assignments include multiple flight, squadron commands, group and staff-level positions.
As a two-time graduated squadron commander, Col Hess also completed the Financial Management Fellowship while serving in the Air Force Engine Room, Assistant Secretary Budget (SAF/FMB), Pentagon, Washington D.C. Additionally, in 2011 he deployed to Afghanistan in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM. Prior to his current position, Col Hess was an Air War College student at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama and graduated with a master’s degree in strategic studies. He is a board-certified Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
EDUCATION
2004 Bachelor of Science, Rocky Mountain College, Billings, Mont.
2007 Master of Health Policy and Administration, Washington State University, Spokane, Wash.
2007 Health Services Administration Course, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas.
2008 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2012 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2014 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence.
2018 Intermediate Executive Skills Course, San Antonio, Texas.
2024 Master of Strategic Studies, Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS OR CAREER CHRONOLOGY
1. December 2007 – June 2008, Element Chief of Information Technology, 375th MDSS, Scott Air Force Base, Ill.
2. July 2008 – May 2009, Medical Information Systems Deputy Flight Commander, 375th MDSS, Scott AFB, Ill.
3. June 2009 – August 2010, Medical Information Systems Flight Commander, 375th MDSS, Scott AFB, Ill.
4. September 2010 – February 2012, Group Practice Manager, 375th MDG, Scott AFB, Ill.(June – December 2011, Executive Officer, Task Force Medical East, Bagram, Afghanistan).
5. February 2012 – July 2014, Resource Management, Personnel and Admin, Medical Information Systems Flight Commander, 65thMDSS, Lajes Field, Azores, Portugal.
6. July 2014 – July 2015, Financial Management Fellow, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force, Financial Management &Comptroller, Budget (SAF/FMB), AF Engine Room, Pentagon, Washington D.C.
7. July 2015 – July 2016, Senior Financial Analyst, AFMSA, Falls Church, Va.
8. July 2016 – October 2017, Budget Integration Branch Chief, AFMSA, Falls Church, Va.
9. October 2017 – June 2018, Budget Execution Branch Chief, AFMSA, Falls Church, Va.
10. June 2018 – June 2021, Commander, 86th Medical Support Squadron, Ramstein Air Base, Germany.
11. July 2021 – June 2023, Commander, 673d Medical Support Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.
12. June 2023 – May 2024, Student, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
13. June 2024 – June 2026, Administrator and Senior Business Advisor, 99th Medical Group, Nellis AFB, Nev.
16. July 2026 – Present, Commander of the Kirtland Medical Group, Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Bronze Star
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Force Recognition Ribbon with oak leaf cluster
Afghanistan Campaign Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2007 Health Policy and Administration Chancellor’s Award – Washington State University
2007 Distinguished Graduate, Officer Training School
2010 Air Mobility Command, Medical Information Services Team of the Year
2010 Air Force Medical Systems Officer of the Year
2012 65th Air Base Wing Company Grade Officer of the Year
2012 USAFE-AFAFRICA Outstanding Health Plans Management Team of the Year
2013 USAFE-AFAFRICA Young Health Care Administrator of the Year
2017 American College of Healthcare Executives AF Regent Early Career Award
2019 Air Force Health Benefits Team of the Year
2019 Air Force Resource Management Team of the Year
2020 Air Force Medical Information Services Team of the Year
2020 Air Force Medical Service Corps Commitment to Service Award
2022 Air Force Medical Readiness Team of the Year
2022 and 2023 Air Force Medical Service Corps Team of the Year
2024 Air Combat Command Hospital of the Year
2025 Air Force Hospital of the Year
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
First Lieutenant July 13, 2007
Captain July 13, 2009
Major September 1, 2014
Lieutenant Colonel June 1, 2018
Colonel December, 1, 2024
(Current as of August 2026)