LTC Nicholas E. Kalitka

LTC Nicholas E. Kalitka. Ole Miss Army ROTC. Photo by Thomas Graning/Ole Miss Digital Imaging ServicesLTC Nick Kalitka was born and raised in Dracut, Massachusetts. He graduated from the United States Military Academy (USMA) in May 2008 and commissioned into the US Army as an Aviation Officer.

His military education includes the Aviation Officer Basic Course, Initial Entry Rotary Wing Course, UH-60 A/L/M Qualification Courses, the Survival-Evasion-Resistance-Escape (SERE) Course, Maneuver Captain’s Career Course, and Command and General Staff College.   

LTC Kalitka holds a B.S. in Management from USMA, as well as a M.A. in Organizational Psychology from Teacher’s College at Columbia University.   

He currently serves as the Professor of Military Science at the University of Mississippi. His previous assignments include Brigade Executive Officer for the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division [Hunter Army Airfield, GA]; Executive Officer and Operations Officer 4-3 Assault Helicopter Battalion (AHB) [Hunter Army Airfield, GA]; Special Assistant to the Commandant for Honor and MX400 Instructor [West Point, NY]; Company Commander A/3-10 General Support Aviation Battalion (GSAB), Company Commander HHC/3-10 GSAB, Battalion Logistics Officer HHC/3-10 GSAB, and Platoon Leader D/3-10 GSAB [Fort Drum, NY].  

He deployed twice to Afghanistan with the 10th Combat Aviation Brigade in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF X-XI, XIII), accumulating over 750 combat flight hours. He also deployed to Poland in 2023 with the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade in support of Atlantic Resolve.     

His military awards and decorations include: the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2OLC), Air Medal (3), Army Commendation Medal (1OLC), Army Achievement Medal, Senior Army Aviator Badge, Air Force Basic Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and Ranger Tab.  

LTC Kalitka is married to the former Lisa Skala, a physical therapist, and has three children—Ryken, Blakely, and Waiks.