Air Force Fellows
Bridging Military Expertise with Scientific Innovation
Idaho National Laboratory (INL) proudly hosts the esteemed Air Force and Space Force Fellows Program, an annual fellowship that offers a unique research opportunity for two distinguished members of the Air Force and Space Force. This one-year program is dedicated to individuals who demonstrate exceptional merit, rank highly in their career fields, and possess relevant education and experience that align with INL’s mission to discover, demonstrate and secure innovative energy solutions, other clean energy options and critical infrastructure.
Program Overview
The Air Force and Space Force Fellows Program is a testament to the strong and enduring partnership between the laboratory and the Air Force and Space Force. It is designed to reinforce the critical role that INL’s national security programs play in safeguarding our nation. Through this fellowship, selected military personnel are immersed in a collaborative environment where they conduct independent research on topics of their choosing within the strategic framework of INL’s national and global security initiatives.
Fellows have access to state-of-the-art facilities and work alongside INL’s leading scientists and engineers. The program encourages the exploration of innovative ideas and supports fellows develop solutions to complex national security challenges. The interdisciplinary nature of the program allows for a rich exchange of knowledge, fostering advancements that integrate military insights with scientific and technological breakthroughs.
2025-2026 Air Force and Space Force Fellows Maj. Samuel D. Jolley and Lt. Col. Christopher L. Dauer.
2025-2026
Lt. Col. Christopher L. Dauer
Dauer serves as the commander of the 85th Engineering and Installation Squadron, Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. He leads 175 military and civilian personnel providing specialized engineering services for telecommunications networks and radio frequency requirements, as well as the installation, removal, and modification of command, control, communications, computer systems, cyber, airfield equipment, and radar systems worldwide during wartime and peacetime operations for the United States Air Force, combatant commands, and other Department of Defense agencies. The 85th EIS maintains a deployment force ready to depart on short notice to any location around the globe and continuously supports active combat engagements.
Lt. Col. Dauer is a career expeditionary communications officer who has served in a variety of positions, including Joint Special Operations Air Component J6, commander, security forces commander, director of operations, PME instructor, graduate of the Marine Corps Expeditionary Warfare School, executive officer, acquisitions, and multiple chief positions. Lt. Col. Dauer has completed multiple combat tours, including Operation Iraqi Freedom as an air advisor and Operation Enduring Freedom-Afghanistan as the Combined Joint Special Operations Air Component J6.
Maj. Samuel D. Jolley
Jolley is the USSF Fellow assigned to the Idaho National Laboratory in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He is currently conducting research on advanced cyber, RF, and space capabilities while working with the USSF operational community to identify solutions to complex problems. Previously, he was a signal officer in the United States Army.
Maj. Jolley was commissioned in 2013 from Creighton University ROTC and has 12 years of service. Before joining the USSF, he was stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. He served as an observer, coach, and trainer for National Guard and Reservist members along the West Coast, ensuring they were prepared to deploy. He was the senior signal advisor, overseeing 12 field exercises culminating in the 65th Field Artillery Brigade live-fire exercise in preparation for their deployment to CENTCOM. Before his JBLM assignment, Maj. Jolley served as the signal, intelligence, and sustainment company commander assigned to the 1st Armored Division. In this role, he commanded 268 soldiers, was responsible for maintaining mission readiness of both technical and tactical tasks, managed the Command Supply Discipline Program valued at $1.5 billion, and ensured the health and safety of his servicemembers and their families. Prior to command, Maj. Jolley was the signal officer of the 1-36th Infantry Battalion. He held numerous positions ranging from strategic communications officer to combat communication planner. He culminated in combat communications planning during the National Training Center rotation 19-09, where his team led the first successful HF transmission in two years, was evaluated as best in the brigade for MIL SATCOM services, and was identified as having the best retransmission team in the brigade.
Prior to his current position, Maj. Jolley was the cyber test flight commander at the 4th Test and Evaluation Squadron, Peterson SFB, Colorado. He led a nine-member team to win the USSF Cyber Team of the Year (2023) and back-to-back STARCOM Organization of the Year awards (2022, 2023), while directly supporting the integrated testing of a 38-program portfolio encompassing emerging SATCOM, GPS, and electronic warfare (EW) weapon systems.