Col. Karla A. Taff is the Commander, Headquarters Readiness and Integration Organization. She is responsible for integrating over 8,000 ready Individual Reserve forces in more than 50 MAJCOMs, CCMDs, and government agencies to meet Air Force requirements.
After graduating from Florida State University in December 2001 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Therapeutic Recreation, she was commissioned from the Reserve Officer Training Corps and entered the Air Force in January 2002. Colonel Taff has filled a variety of Force Support Officer positions including Combat Support Flight Commander, Section Commander for the Department of Defense’s largest Air and Space Operations Center, and the Military Personnel Division Chief at the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency. Upon her transition to the Air Force Reserve, she served as a Squadron Commander for the first-ever Integrated Wing in the Air Force. She also deployed to fill a Joint Expeditionary Tasking requirement at Kuwait Naval Base supporting Operation IRAQI FREEDOM and to Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan in Kabul, Afghanistan supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Prior to her current position, Col Taff was the Division Chief, Military Compensation and Uniform Policy, Headquarters Air Force, Pentagon.
EDUCATION
2001 Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Recreation, Florida State University, FL
2002 Basic Services Officer Course, Distinguished Graduate, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, OH
2003 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL, in residence
2008 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL, in residence
2009 Master of Business Administration in Financial Management, Touro University International, CA
2011 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL, by correspondence
2021 Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL, by correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS
1. January 2002 – December 2004, OIC Readiness, OIC Lodging, and OIC Plans and Force Management 45th Services Squadron, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida
2. December 2004 – July 2006, Protocol Officer, 85th Group, Naval Air Station Keflavik, Iceland
3. July 2006 – November 2008, Combat Support Flight Commander, 375th Services Squadron, Scott AFB, Illinois
4. November 2008 – June 2010, Section Commander, 18th Air Force and 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center, Scott AFB, Illinois
5. June 2010 – July 2013, Force Development and Officer Assignments Chief and Military Assignments Branch Chief and Division Chief, Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency, Lackland AFB TX
6. July 2013 – April 2015, Operations Officer, 9th Force Support Squadron, Beale AFB, CA
7. May 2015 – January 2018, Commander, 916th Force Support Squadron, Seymour Johnson AFB, NC
8. January 2018 – July 2022, Chief, Reserve Assignments Division and Chief, Operations Division, Air Force Reserve Personnel Center, Buckley SFB, CO
9. July 2022 – February 2025, Chief, Military Personnel Compensation Policy Division, Headquarters Air Force, Pentagon, Washington D.C.
10. February 2025 - August 2026, Director, Personnel and Total Force Services Directorate, Air Reserve Personnel Center, Buckley SFB, CO
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with 4 oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal
Army Achievement Medal
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Meritorious Unit with oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Outstanding Unit with 3 oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Organizational Excellence Award
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant December 29, 2001
First Lieutenant December 29, 2003
Captain December 29, 2005
Major December 1, 2011
Lieutenant Colonel August 24, 2017
Colonel July 21, 2022
(Current as of June 2026)