Military Career


Captain Roberto I. Acosta was born and raised in Puerto Rico, where he graduated with a B.S. in Physics from the University of Puerto Rico with honors.  At the University of Puerto Rico, he received a NASA scholarship with research efforts in nano-bio markers. He was a distinguished graduated from the Air Force Reserve Office Training Corps (AFROTC) Detachment 755 where he received a commission as a 2nd lieutenant in the United States Air Force.

His first assignment was at the Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials & Manufacturing Directorate (AFRL/RX), where he worked as a Bio Materials Research Scientist & Power Materials Lead Scientist. He also completed an M.S. in Physics at Wright State University, Dayton, OH.  In 2010 he deployed to Naval Air Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba as the Joint Air Operations Officer in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Unified Response in support of the Haiti relief efforts.  In 2014, Capt Acosta obtained a Ph.D. in Applied Physics from the Department of Engineering Physics, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH.  Captain Acosta currently serve at the Air Force Research Laboratory, Sensors Directorate (AFRL/RY), where he worked as the Principal Electro-Optics Countermeasures Research Physicist.


ASSIGNMENTS

  1. July 2007-August 2010, Lead Biological Materials Research Scientist, Materials & Manufacturing Directorate, WPAFB, OH.
  2. August 2010-June 2014, Senior Directed Energy Weapons Engineering Physicist/PhD Candidate, Air Force Institute of Technology, WPAFB, OH.
  3. June 2014-Present, Principal Electro-Optics Countermeasures Research Physicist, Sensors Directorate, WPAFB, OH. 

DEPLOYMENTS AND JOINT ASSIGNMENTS

  1. January 2010-May 2010, Joint Air Operations Officer, United States Southern Command, Joint Task Force - Guantanamo, Naval Air Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

AWARDS AND DECORATIONS


  1. Air Force Commendation Medal
  2. Joint Service Achievement Medal
  3. Joint Meritorious Unit Award
  4. Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
  5. National Defense Service Medal
  6. Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
  7. Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
  8. Armed Forces Service Medal
  9. Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border
  10. Air Force Longevity Service
  11. Air Force Training Ribbon

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION

  1. Second Lieutenant June 4, 2007.
  2. First Lieutenant June 4, 2009.
  3. Captain June 4, 2011.