Col. John “JB” Baquet, Distinguished ROTC Alumnus

A 1996 ASU graduate through our Air Force ROTC Det. 847, Baquet commands the 58th Maintenance Group at Kirtland AFB, N.M., where he leads a 937-person crew in the maintenance of 69 aircraft of varying types – and is responsible for the Air Force’s only helicopter jet engine intermediate maintenance facility.

Over his career, Baquet has worked on all manner of airplanes, helicopters and UAVs (drones) and served as a logistics planner for Air Force One. He has also had assignments on six continents, multiple Middle East deployments, and a recent stint at the Pentagon as special assistant to the assistant chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

My time in Det. 847 helped me develop my own personal brand of leadership…

Col. John “JB” Baquet

Growing up in small-town Harper, Baquet felt an early call to serve. ASU ROTC taught him how to lead.

“I was drawn to ASU for the ROTC program being one of the best in the nation,” he said. “Though my parents instilled the core values of Integrity, Service and Excellence in me at an early age, it was my time as a cadet at ASU that solidified these values. My time in Det. 847 helped me develop my own personal brand of leadership, laid a foundation that propelled me to take on the impossible and taught me to Lead Well!”

Baquet’s many honors and awards include the Bronze Star with two oak leaf clusters and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster. Also a former military parachutist, he has received German and Jordanian jump wings and attended the U.S. Army Pathfinder School. He also holds four master’s degrees and previously served as chief of strategy for U.S. Special Operations Command, National Capitol Region.

For his outstanding career success and service to the nation, the ASU Alumni Association has named Baquet its 2019 Distinguished ROTC Alumnus.

“As there are many Rams with noteworthy accomplishments, I am truly humbled and grateful to be honored in such a meaningful way,” he said. “I owe my success to the good Lord, along with professors, peers and teammates who provided a ‘gentle nudge’ along the way.”