Michael Ritz is a senior defense analyst for Northrop-Grumman Corporation. He retired as a Colonel from the Air Force and Air National Guard on 14 July 2006. He'd most recently served as Deputy Director, USAF Counterproliferation Center (CPC) at the Air University, Maxwell AFB. He also served the CPC and Air War College (AWC) as Air National Guard adviser. Since 1997, he'd been a member of AWC's faculty as a professor of air power studies, instructing core and elective courses in strategy, doctrine and air power, military history, homeland defense and security, public affairs/mass media, scenario development, and nuclear, biological and chemical warfare. He continues to serve the Air University as a guest lecturer at AWC and Air Command & Staff College (ACSC).

Recent projects of note include researching the relationship between military/civilian information operations and 21st century mass media. Additionally, he is researching and developing a strategic communications plan for the Air Force Culture and Language Center at Maxwell AFB.

Enlisting in the California Air National Guard in early 1968, Michael served the 146th Airlift Wing for more than nine years as a still and motion picture photographer and public affairs supervisor. Earning his commission in November 1977, he performed numerous missions at home and overseas as an active duty or reserve status wing public affairs officer before assuming the duties of the 146th Airlift Wing's executive officer in 1994. In 1997, he focused his talents and experience on the challenges of military intelligence as his wing's intelligence chief, while continuing to instruct at AWC. He assumed the responsibilities of CPC's deputy director in November 2004.

Michael's wholly unique intelligence, public affairs, mass media and combat photography backgrounds took him to active duty, short and long-tour assignments throughout the United States, Mexico, Central and South America and around the world. Tours of duty included key intelligence and public affairs assignments with the Department of Defense, National Guard Bureau, Southern Command, Air Combat Command, Air Mobility Command and Air Education & Training Command.

An acknowledged professional in intelligence, public affairs, mass communications and military history, Michael holds a bachelor's degree in drama and motion pictures and a master's degree in military history, with additional post-graduate work in human communication and behavior, visual media and Latin American culture and history. An honored graduate of Squadron Officer School, Air Command & Staff College and Air War College, Michael was the first ANG officer to complete all professional military education in residence.

Michael is a recipient the California Air Force Association's prestigious "Air National Guard Field Grade Officer of the Year" and "Military Journalist of the Year" awards, and was selected by the Ventura County, California business community as the Oxnard Ambassadors' "Air National Guard Military Citizen of the Year." Key among his military awards and decorations are the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Global War on Terror Campaign Ribbon, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Citation, Humanitarian Service Medal and Vietnam Campaign Medal.