Colonel (COL) Russ Corwin joined the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center (APARC) for the 2021-2022 academic year from the United States Army. He received his commission as a Field Artillery Officer through the ROTC Program at Vanderbilt University in 1999. Russ is a graduate of the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course, the Aviation Officer Advanced Course, US Army Flight School, Airborne School, Air Assault School, Ranger School, the Joint Forces Staff College, and the Joint Military Attaché School.

Prior to his AWC Fellowship, COL Corwin served as the Assistant Army Attaché to Beijing, China from 2018-2021. Previous assignments include service as an Infantry Company Fire Support Officer, COLT Platoon Leader, and Battalion Assistant Operations Officer in the 2nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division at Fort Hood, TX – including a deployment in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.

Upon returning from Iraq in 2003, Russ transferred to Aviation Branch and became an OH-58D Kiowa Warrior Pilot. As an Aviator, COL Corwin served as an Air Cavalry Troop XO, Air Cavalry Troop Commander, and Squadron Assistant Operations Officer with 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment in the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, NY – including a 15-month deployment in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM from 2007-2008. His final Aviation assignment was as the Brigade Support Operations Officer for the Army Air Operations Group, Washington, DC.

In 2010, COL Corwin became a Foreign Area Officer for China, attended the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, CA, and then continued his Chinese-Mandarin studies at Capital Normal University in Beijing, China. Russ returned from China in 2013 and served as an Analyst and Lead Intelligence Planner in the Joint Intelligence Operations Center for INDOPACOM. Russ also served as the Senior China Analyst for INDOPACOM’s China Strategic Focus Group. COL Corwin departed INDOPACOM in 2016 and deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan in support of Operation RESOLUTE SUPPORT where he served as the Strategic Liaison Branch Chief.

COL Corwin holds a Master of Arts in International Relations from the University of Oklahoma, a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Vanderbilt University, and an Associate of Arts in Chinese- Mandarin from the Defense Language Institute. His military decorations include the Bronze Star with OLC, Air Medal (2), Defense Meritorious Service Medal with OLC, Meritorious Service Medal with OLC, Army Achievement Medal with 3 OLC, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with two Stars, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, NATO Medal, the Combat Action Badge, the Senior Aviator Badge, the Parachutist Badge, the Air Assault Badge, and the Ranger Tab.