?»?CDR David O. Bettinson USN (Ret.) of Salt Lake City, Utah, spent 21 years as an aviator in the United States Navy. In addition to his own flight experiences, CDR Bettinson influenced many naval aviators during his tours as a flight instructor, officer programs recruiter, and in his five years of service as Executive Officer and Commanding Officer of Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Unit, University of Utah.
During his naval service, and following his retirement in 1995, CDR Bettinson also influenced future generations of aviators and aerospace enthusiasts through his service as commanding officer of the Ute Composite Squadron of the Utah Wing of the Civil Air Patrol. Additionally, in his new career as an elementary school teacher, CDR Bettinson shares his excitement for aviation, and all things aerospace-related, on a daily basis with hundreds of students.