Col. Marc Packler | Military Leadership Award

Commander, 375th Communications Group, Scott Air Force Base  

Air Force Col. Marc Packler, commander of the 375th Communications Group at Scott Air Force Base, has catapulted the St. Clair County, Ill., region toward becoming a cybersecurity, and STEM education leader. Through partnerships with 22 area schools and universities, the Midwest Cyber Center, and the Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois, he has brought cyber education and career opportunities to more than 14,000 students. A strong proponent of intelligent infrastructure improvement, Col. Packler has spearheaded large-scale projects to renew, harden and robust outdated software, harnessing collaboration from across the U.S. to continuously improve infrastructure.  

“Col. Packler’s enthusiastic leadership has strengthened our cyber defense posture and educated the next generation of cyberspace warriors, all while developing the workforce at Scott Air Force Base through numerous community partnerships. These efforts have had a huge positive impact both on and off the base.”  

—Col. Joseph Meyer, 375th Air Mobility Wing and Installation Commander  

(Above) Col. Packler speaks at a Veterans Day event in Belleville, III. U.S. Air Force photo by 375th Air Mobility Wing.