Captain Michael Burks graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science in aerospace engineering and earned his wings in February 2000.

His first operational tour was with Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11“Red Rippers” deploying on USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and USS George Washington (CVN 73) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

In 2004, Burks attended U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, Class 127. After graduation, he reported to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23 and led multiple developmental test projects on F/A-18 A-F, EA-18G and T-45 A/C aircraft. During this tour, he earned a Master of Science in systems engineering from Johns Hopkins University in 2007. In 2008, he attended the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

Burks reported to VFA-2 “Bounty Hunters” in 2009 deploying on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn, earning the 2011 Pacific Fleet Battle “E” and Rear Admiral C. Wade McClusky awards.

In 2011, he was assigned as the operations officer for the F-35 Integrated Test Force, responsible for nine unique F-35 B/C developmental test aircraft and a diverse test team of over 900 personnel. During this tour, he flew more than 200 hours of developmental flight test on F-35 B/C aircraft.

Burks reported as executive officer of VFA-86 “Sidewinders” in January 2015 and became the commanding officer in May 2016. He led the Sidewinders on a seven-month deployment on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, earning the 2016 Pacific Fleet Battle “E” and Rear Admiral C. Wade McClusky awards for operational excellence.

After this command, Burks was selected to transition to the acquisition career field and reported to the F/A-18 and EA-18G Program Office (PMA-265), serving as F/A-18 E/F deputy program manager, leading the stand-up of the Naval Sustainment System and Super Hornet readiness recovery. In August 2020, he was reassigned to help stand up the Next Generation Air Dominance Program Office (PMA-230). In August 2021, he served a one-year assignment as executive assistant to the principal military deputy for the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition. Following this, he served as the vice commander of Naval Air Systems Command until July 2023

Burks assumed responsibilities as program manager for PMA-265 in August 2023.  

Burks’ awards include two Legion of Merits, two Meritorious Service Medals, five Strike/Flight Air Medals, three Navy Commendation Medals, two Navy Achievement Medals and numerous unit and campaign medals. Burks has accumulated over 3,700 flight hours, 750 arrested landings and piloted more than 30 different military aircraft.