A native of Bloomington, Indiana, Lieutenant Colonel(R) David Oclander graduated from the United States Military Academy in May 1990 and was commissioned in the Infantry. After his first assignment as an Infantry Lieutenant in Germany, he commanded Infantry units at the Company and Battalion levels with the 82nd Airborne Division to include three total tours in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM and Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. His most recent operational assignment was as Battalion Commander of 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Battalion, in Regional Command – South in the Zabul & Kandahar Provinces of Southern Afghanistan. David also served in a variety of Joint and Coalition Staff positions to include Lead Campaign Planner for Multinational Corps – Iraq (2004), Brigade Executive Officer, 2nd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division (2007), and as an Operational Planner for The Joint Staff (2012).
David retired in 2012 and began his journey to school leadership. From 2012-2015, David participated in a Principal preparation Fellowship with the Noble Network of Charter Schools in Chicago, IL. During this time, David completed the KIPP School Leadership Program (KSLP) Fisher Fellowship for new school leaders. On 1 July 2015, David was named Principal of Michigan’s oldest high school, Central High School. In addition to high expectations, a disciplined school culture, and world-class instruction, David’s school vision includes a focus on Leadership Development, Fitness, and Conflict Resolution.
David is married to Amy Oclander and has three sons, Matthew (21), a senior at Seattle Pacific University, Dawson (7), and Evan (5).