Shaping Future Officers: 1st Lt. Christopher Lyons Selected as OTS Instructor

1st Lt. Christopher Lyons works as the Director of the Mission Delta 8 (MD 8) Commander’s Action Group where he handles executive tasks and high-level coordination for the Delta Commander. From commissioning out of AFROTC at the University of South Alabama Detachment 014 to being Crew Commander and serving in his current position at MD 8, Lyons will apply his diverse experiences to guide incoming officers. (U.S. Space Force photo by Dalton Prejeant)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Shaping Future Officers: 1st Lt. Christopher Lyons Selected as OTS Instructor

1st Lt. Christopher Lyons works as the Director of the Mission Delta 8 (MD 8) Commander’s Action Group where he handles executive tasks and high-level coordination for the Delta Commander. From commissioning out of AFROTC at the University of South Alabama Detachment 014 to being Crew Commander and serving in his current position at MD 8, Lyons will apply his diverse experiences to guide incoming officers. (U.S. Space Force photo by Dalton Prejeant)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

Shaping Future Officers: 1st Lt. Christopher Lyons Selected as OTS Instructor

Published Aug. 27, 2026
By Grace McCracken

SCHRIEVER SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Instructor duty is critical to developing the next generation of Guardians and directly supports the readiness, professionalism, and long-term growth of the Service. 1^st Lt. Christopher Lyons is stepping up to the role, having been selected to serve as an Officer Training School instructor at Maxwell AFB in Montgomery, Alabama.

Lyons works as the Director of the Mission Delta 8 (MD 8) Commander’s Action Group where he handles executive tasks and high-level coordination for the Delta Commander. From commissioning out of AFROTC at the University of South Alabama Detachment 014 to being Crew Commander and serving in his current position at MD 8, Lyons will apply his diverse experiences to guide incoming officers.

“I joined the Space Force to be a part of something new that impacts our country,” said Lyons. “I volunteered for instructor duty for the same reason. I have wanted to teach since I started in the service, and I took the opportunity because the Space Force has a need for it.”

Lyons is hoping to fulfill the service’s effort to increase manpower and build resilience among the force. “I am excited to lead the OTS students and leave my mark on the service as it continues to grow,” said Lyons. He aims to teach his students the values of patience and self-awareness so they can thrive in a demanding military environment.

Lyons recognizes how influential having mentors was to him at the beginning of his career and is looking forward to passing down his knowledge to the next generation of officers. “My goal is to mentor my OTS students the way my mentor in Pituffik, Greenland did for me at my first assignment. I want my students to randomly reach out to me and ask me a question because they are confident that I will have an answer,” he said.

Educating the force gives instructors a chance to mentor young Guardians while also strengthening their own leadership skills and advancing their career. Lyons hopes to bring a balance of empathy and assertiveness into this role. While the Space Force works to normalize instructor duty as a standard career path, Lyons inspires others to take the leap.

“I encourage all Guardians to help others, whether as an instructor or in your current units,” said Lyons. “Put yourself in uncomfortable positions if you want to grow. Eventually, it will no longer be uncomfortable, and you will know what to do to succeed.”

Please join us in congratulating 1st Lt. Christopher Lyons for taking on this vital role and leading future Guardians!