Members of the 2023–24 class of the Robert and Marion Oster National Security Affairs Fellows Program are participating in an interview series in which they discuss their career experience, how they plan to spend the academic year, and their mentoring of Stanford undergraduate students. They also reflect on leadership lessons they learned in service to the nation.
Today, we speak to Lt. Col. Alphanso “Fonz” Adams, a cyber operations officer in the US Air Force.
Why did you join the US Air Force?
I come from a military family. My father served in the air force for over 24 years. My brother, uncle, grandfather, and great-grandfather also served in the military of the United States and, in the case of my great-grandfather, Zambia. Service was what I knew. When I enrolled at Baylor University, there was no doubt I would join the Detachment 810 Air Force ROTC program and pursue a commission in the US Air Force.
Will you tell us about your educational background?
I graduated from Baylor University with a BBA in information systems and operations management. While overseas and deployed, I pursued an MS in information technology from the University of Maryland Global Campus. I also received an MPhil in military strategy from Air University and a certificate in legislative studies from the Government Affairs Institute at Georgetown University.
Will you tell us about your career arc?
I’ve served for over 19 years in the US Air Force and have held 15 unique positions in my career. Originally, I commissioned as a communications officer, but in 2010 I was redesignated as a cyber operations officer. As a communications officer, I provided information technology and tactical communications capabilities in Europe and the Middle East. As a cyber operations officer, I led the integration of cyber tools and defensive cyber capabilities on specialized aircraft and ground-based systems. In addition to deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, I’ve deployed in support of disaster relief operations in the US and partnership activities in Central America. I was even given the opportunity to serve as a Defense Fellow in the office of then senator Bill Nelson of Florida. Prior to my time here at the Hoover Institution, I was the commander of the US Air Force’s sole squadron responsible for cyber vulnerability management.
Will you tell us how you heard about the Hoover National Security Affairs Fellows Program and how you hope to make the most out of this academic year?
I first heard about the Hoover Institution from a 2014–15 National Security Affairs Fellow, Colonel (retired) Enrique Oti, US Air Force. His recounting of experiences and interactions with Hoover fellows, Stanford faculty, and the student body left a significant impression on me. I jumped at the opportunity to pursue the Hoover Institution for senior developmental education while in the US Air Force.
During this academic year, I plan to learn and write about decision making, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and propaganda. Each of these areas will influence the future of our nation’s security. The ultimate question is how and what should we do about it?
Part of the National Security Affairs Fellowship has been teaching and mentoring Stanford University undergraduate students. Would you tell us about your experience mentoring them?
I’m honored to have the opportunity to mentor and be mentored by some of the best and brightest minds from across the world. These undergraduate students are extremely interested in national security and the roles they could play within our government upon graduation. They are inquisitive and informed—two traits that give me tremendous hope for the future of our democracy.
What does leadership mean to you?
Colin Powell said it best, that leadership is about trust. Trust that you’ll do what you say. Trust that you’ll stand steady on your values and convictions. Trust that you’ll be there when times are hard. Trust that you’ll solve problems. Trust that you are who you say you are.
